Teri Herbstman

There are a lot of 27-year-old Jews who have never been to Israel, let alone 10 times. As the Chicago Assistant Director at The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), Teri Herbstman has made a career out of her love for Israel, working tirelessly to secure financial and personal support for the Jewish homeland.

"Teri is an incredible advocate for Israel and the Jewish people, and lives by example," said Teri's sister Lynn, one of her nominators. "She has visited, studied and worked in Israel, and dedicates her professional life to promoting the US-Israel relationship."

Outside of her day job, Teri has also supported the Jewish community through her leadership in CIPAC (a pro-Israel political group), participation in MASA Israel Journey and the March of the Living, and volunteering as a paramedic with Magen David Adom. She helped with the Bearing Witness program through the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), and co-chaired their Envision young professionals event. Teri is the founding member of the young professional program of Jewish Education Team (JET), and serves on the board of the Center for Jewish Genetics as well as Keshet.

With that resume, Teri might seem overly serious and committed, but according to her other sister, Diane, she is "fun, genuine, spunky and creative. She is simply the best."

Name:
Teri Herbstman

Age:
27

Pays the bills:
Chicago Assistant Director, AIPAC

On the side:
I love to spend time with family, friends and my boyfriend; I love to cook, travel and cheer on the Blackhawks and Cubs.

Relationship status:
Taken

Describe yourself in 10 words or less:
Supportive, dedicated, passionate, hospitable, puts others first, mensch, family-oriented

Celebrity doppelganger:
Umm, my friends said, Joanna Garcia or Ginnifer Goodwin?

How do you Jew in Chicago?
I have been very involved in Chicago’s Jewish community pretty much since I was born. From growing up in a Zionist home to now working for AIPAC, Israel and Judaism are extremely important to me. I regularly host Shabbos dinners with friends and family. I am active with my shul, Congregation B’nai Tikvah, in Deerfield. Attending many Jewish events and working as a Jewish professional in the Chicago community enables me to see close up just how lucky we are in Chicago to have such an active Jewish community.

Passions:
ISRAEL, family, cooking, being a M.O.T

How do you give back?
I am active with Israel Bonds, serve on the Center for Jewish Genetic Disorders’ Associate Board as well as Keshet’s Professional Leadership Board, am involved with the Anti-Defamation League as well as was one of the hosts for ADL’s Envision event, regularly attend JUF events and donate to the Federation, and volunteered as a paramedic with Magen David Adom on the ambulances in their Jerusalem station. I also love to continue my Jewish education, and just recently returned from the March of the Living program, where I was able to hear first-hand testimony about the horrors of the Shoah so I can continue to help educate others to never forget.

Fill in the blank: If time and money were limitless, I would:
Travel the world with those dearest to me, open my dream restaurant in Chicago, buy a vineyard in Israel and volunteer and give back as much as possible.

Chicago's Jewish community in 10 years:
Chicago’s Jewish community in 10 years: I see Chicago’s Jewish community being more lay-person driven, and more and more people being actively involved with the amazing organizations and work that the community does for Jewish and Israel causes.

Me in 10 years:
Enjoying every minute of life with my husband, children, family and friends. Oh…and I also will have witnessed the Chicago Cubs winning the World Series… (a girl can hope, right?)