Marc Berkson
From 1999 through June 2023, Rabbi Marc E. Berkson was the congregation’s sixth senior rabbi since the merger of Emanu-El and B’ne Jeshurun in 1927. Active in a wide range of local and regional Jewish, inter-religious, and human relations programs and organizations, Rabbi Berkson brings his love of teaching and his community-building skills to Emanu-El B’ne Jeshurun. A native of Chicago and a graduate of Beloit College in Beloit, Wisconsin, Rabbi Berkson was ordained by the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in Cincinnati in 1978. Following ordination, Rabbi Berkson served as rabbi of Temple Judea Mizpah in Skokie, IL. He is an avid bicyclist and railroad buff. The Rabbi (together with his wife, Debbie Carter Berkson, of blessed memory), has three children, Abigail, who is married to Barry; Jesse; and Michal, who is married to Jonny; and two grandsons, Ezra and Isaac.