Artists Bios

Emily Axelrod I have been taking pictures since I was eight years old. have always been driven by my curiosity as I discover new and different things. I enjoy photographing things that interest me, sometimes its color, sometimes its shapes, sometimes its light. Other times its the delicacy of large creatures like a giraffe or the majesty of a bird in flight. I try to capture the beauty around us, the unusual and usual things we take for granted. With my images I provide my perspective, and in doing so preserve my memories. Dick and I founded the Axelrod Group, LLC, an organization that pioneered the use of Employee Engagement to bring about organizational change. Along the way we published four books on organizational change. Some of our clients were Boeing, British Airways, and the U.S. Census Bureau. We have been members of Beth Emet for over 50 years where our children and grandchildren were B’nai Mitzvah. I shoot with Nikon Z series mirrorless cameras and wonderful iPhone. Dick Axelrod I have a lifelong love of photography. Currently my interest lies in wildlife and street photography. With both genres I pay attention to the light, lines, and color, and body language as I share what captures my attention, and moves me. In addition to founding the Axelrod Group, LLC. and authoring books with Emily, I taught Organizational Change at Columbia University, and Crisis Leadership at the University of Chicago. Currently I am on the staff at Chicago Photo Classes. We have been members of Beth Emet for over 50 years where our children and grandchildren were B’nai Mitzvah. I shoot with Nikon Z series mirrorless cameras and my trusty iPhone.

Rabbi Joe Black is an award-winning singer/songwriter of both Jewish and Secular music who writes with a universal voice. He is known for his guitar virtuosity, soaring voice and lyrics that are at the same time, funny, inspirational and thought provoking. He has performed for communities around the world. His recordings and books have received accolades from sources as diverse as American Songwriter Magazine, The New York Times, Haddasah Magazine, Parent’s Choice, The American Library Journal and Kids First: The Coalition for Quality Children’s Video. Rabbi Black has a longtime connection with Chicago. He grew up at Beth Emet - where both of his parents were active members. His father, Sidney Black z"l was a a board member and was the founder of the "Downstairs Minyan" and his mother, Sophie Black z"l was a past president and one of the founders of Kahal. While at Northwestern University, he played the role of "Tiny Tov" on the WBBM-TV Television program, "The Magic Door." He has been a featured performer at every Chicago Jewish Festival and has performed his music at Synagogues around Chicagoland. He has also performed at the Old Town School of Folk Music and Evanston SPACE. He has a long-time collaboration with the Maxwell Street Klezmer Band. He is a three-time winner of American Songwriter Magazine’s Lyric contest. He has also published two best-selling Children’s book for the PJ Library, a songbook, a book of poetry, and recorded five critically acclaimed albums of Jewish music. His compositions have been recorded by numerous artists and he and his music are featured in a variety of Contemporary Jewish Music compilation CD’s. His poetry and prose have been published widely. As a musician, Joe is known for his guitar virtuosity, soaring voice and lyrics that are at the same time, funny, inspirational, and thought provoking. His music is an extension of his Rabbinate. After an 18 year hiatus from recording, Joe recently released two new albums of original music: Praying With Our Feet – a collection of Jewish music, and Wire and Wood – new secular songs. His upcoming book, "The Spirituality of Creativity" is scheduled to be published in Spring of 2027 by Wipf and Stock Publishing Company. Joe retired from the pulpit in July, 2025 after a 38-year distinguished career - serving congregations in Minneapolis, MN, Albuquerque, NM, and Denver, CO. He is now devoting his time to writing, performing and teaching around the country. He serves as Rabbi Emeritus of Temple Emanuel in Denver.

Bio:  Dina Elenbogen is author of the poetry collections, Shore  (Glass Lyre Press) and Apples of the Earth, (Spuyten Duyvil, NY) as well as the memoir, Drawn from Water: an American Poet, an Ethiopian Family, an Israeli Story (BKMkPress, University of Missouri).  She has received fellowships from the Illinois Arts Council, the Ragdale Foundation and was a 2025 fellow at the  Yetzirah: a hearth for Jewish Poetry Conference. Her writing  has appeared in anthologies including, What the House Knows (Terrapin Books) City of the Big shoulders, (University of Iowa Press) The Nature of our Times anthology, (Paloma Press) Beyond Lament, (Northwestern University Press),  101 Jewish Poems of the Third Millennium (Asheville Poetry Press), New Voices: Contemporary Writers Confronting the Holocaust (Valentine, Mitchell) and magazines including  Lit Hub, Bellevue Literary Review, Prairie Schooner, december, Cimmaron Review, Patterson Literary Review, Connecticut River Review,  New City Chicago and other venues. She teaches creative writing at the University of Chicago Writer’s Studio and has taught workshops at libraries, and cultural centers throughout the country.

This November, JRC becomes the canvas for a weekend of artistry, connection, performance, storytelling, and shared experience. ArtsFest 2026 is an invitation to explore, participate, create, gather, and discover the creativity already living within our JRC community. Throughout the weekend, member artists, performers, writers, makers, and creators will help transform the building into a vibrant, evolving celebration of expression and community life.

Debbie Harris is a proud Jewish woman, an unrepentant doodler, and an unabashed lifelong learner. After spending much of her professional career in educational technology, she retired from her role as an edtech director and traded her Apple Pencil and tablet for a Micron pen and a humble paper tile. Now a Certified Zentangle Teacher (CZT), Debbie shares her passion for drawing while encouraging others to discover that anything is possible, one stroke at a time. Her teaching weaves together the Zentangle Method with explorations of Torah, Jewish values, leadership, and community, creating opportunities for creativity, reflection, and connection. For many years, Debbie served as a mentor for the Legacy Heritage Fund, supporting Jewish day school educators in designing and delivering innovative educational programs. Since 2016, she has also been a member of the summer arts faculty at URJ Camp Newman in Santa Rosa, California. Debbie holds a bachelor’s degree in Education from Northwestern University and a master’s degree in Jewish Professional Studies from Spertus College. When she’s not teaching, you’re likely to find her tangling on an airplane, in a coffee shop, or while waiting for her granddaughter at dance class.

VALERIE KAHAN (She/Her) Founder, Owner & Creative Director | Resident Artist & Lead Facilitator As the Founder, Owner, and Creative Director of Art Makers Outpost (AMO), Valerie Kahan believes community collaboration is essential to inspiring the next generation of socially and environmentally conscious artists. Motivated by her two children, Valerie leads the vision and day-to-day operations at AMO—from driving new program development and facilitating workshops to co-curating live concerts and mentoring teen staff and interns. Under her leadership, AMO serves as a dynamic hub where imagination, creative reuse, and community support intersect for positive social and environmental impact. In addition to her work at AMO, Valerie is an active painter, mixed-media artist, professional photographer, and a 20-year veteran real estate broker. Above all, she is dedicated to uplifting others in every facet of her life. "Being a 'helper' who supports and lifts up others—whether as an educator, real estate broker, friend, or community member—is the most rewarding part of my life. Giving back and supporting one another is what we are here to do." Get in Touch Email: [email protected] Social Media: @artmakersoutpost (Facebook & Instagram)

Robin Langer is an interdisciplinary painter, sculptor, and foodie based in Chicago, IL. A nature-lover, her artwork is inspired by light, water, sound, and rhythm. Since 2002, she spend much time in classes and workshops at Lillstreet Art Center, Inside Art Studio, Evanston Art Center, Noyes Cultural Arts Center, IAPS in Aluqurque, NM and Various workshops throught the country. Robin has studied welding, stone carving, acrylic painting, charcoal and pastels with notable artists such as Sarah Kaiser, Mary Flack, and Alain Picard and Matt Runfola, Kathleen Newman, Lorianne Signori, Tony Alain, Marla Bagatta, and Jeanne Rosier-Smith. Her work explores themes of wonder, connection and spirituality. She has exhibited at the Chicago Cultural Center, Space Gallery, Palette & Chisel, Mana Gallery, Highland Park Art Center, Old Town Art Center and various other venues throught Chicago and suburbs. She is a member of the following: In this worshop, you will explore what brings you joy, first by engaging in a brief meditaion, followed by creative exploration using Charcoal and pastel You will learn to access your creativity from within. Come with a sense of wonder as we will be " Playing" and we will have an opportunity to talk about your piece at the end of the session.

I hold a BFA and an MFA in Art Education from the University of Illinois.My teaching experience ranges from K through 8 to adults. I have many years experience as an author and an illustrator of children's educational material. I have both created and performed puppetry and that is the workshop I would like to present for the festival. For more information, please see my website: www.freddielevinart.wordpress.com/books/

Cantor Lianna Mendelson is the cantor at Temple Jeremiah in Northfield, Illinois. She joined the High Holy Day choir at Temple B’rith Kodesh in her hometown of Rochester, New York immediately after becoming Bat Mitzvah and has sung for High Holy Day services every year since. Cantor Mendelson graduated from the University of Rochester with a BA in Music and a minor in Hebrew and spent a semester at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. She then pursued her passions for both music and serving the Jewish community by pursuing ordination through the cantorial program at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. During her time at HUC, she served as the Student Cantor at Temple Shalom in Chevy Chase, Maryland, for three years, and as a B’nai Mitzvah tutor at Congregation Beth Elohim in Brooklyn, New York. She is a member of the inaugural cohort of the Weitzman-JDC fellowship for Global Jewish Leaders and traveled to Belarus, Argentina, Georgia, and Azerbaijan with the JDC. She received a Master’s Concentration in Israel Education through the iFellows program at the iCenter and also learned about progressive social change in Israel as a fellow in the Elissa Froman Social Change Fellowship through the New Israel Fund. Cantor Mendelson comes to Jeremiah from three years as the cantor-educator at Temple Beth Shalom in Santa Fe, New Mexico. At TBS, she ran programs for people of all ages, from overseeing and providing Judaic content in the preschool, through religious school, B’nai Mitzvah, and adult education. She loved collaborating with congregant musicians and started a youth choir. She is passionate about relationship-building and education that centers the learners as individuals. She always feels that everyone in the room at worship, classes, or music performances is co-creating the experience together. Her goal is to create opportunities for everyone to feel empowered in their own Judaism. Cantor Mendelson lives with her cat and an ever-growing stash of yarn in Evanston. In addition to her cantorial work, she is an avid fiber artist, and values the power of craft to bring people together.

Bio: I am a teacher with over 25 years of experience. What started as a fun journey during a Spring Break has turned into a passionate hobby. One of the first things you will hear from me when you come into my house is, "Can I get you a drink?" I enjoy making classic drinks and creating new ones.

I'm excited to be back in Evanston after living away for 40 years. I grew up at Beth Emet and and happy to be involved in B'tzalel. As a community based researcher, I use different media (photography, storytelling, textiles, etc.) to tell stories about culture and social change. Several years ago I worked with second generation Holocaust survivors from 17 U.S. communities, the Western Galilee, Israel, and Budapest Hungary. Using the research method PhotoVoice, a photograph and a short narrative, participants answered the question: "What object illuminates your memory of growing up with parent(s) who were Holocaust survivors and why?" Objects in our everyday lives have meaning. My juice glasses were my grandmothers and they remind me of sleeping over at her apartment and having orange juice in these glasses in the morning. Who would think that a juice glass can put a smile on my face?

Julie Ratowitz was born into a family that valued the joys of eating together and the art of cooking. Her mother, a dedicated culinary educator and caterer, would host regular cooking classes at home and for the park district. It was here, along with family and holiday meals prepared with love, that Julie developed her intricate understanding of flavors, techniques, and the vital importance of quality ingredients. Julie’s talent earned her opportunities working as a private chef for various clients in Chicago and the northern suburbs, allowing her to explore an array of cuisines and culinary cultures. These experiences ranged from crafting multi-course meals for exclusive dinner parties to tailoring menus for health-conscious clients who required specific dietary preferences. As her parents aged, and care needs of family became a central aspect of Julie's personal life she navigated shallower to attend her elderly parents. Understanding the importance of nutritious meals, she took on the role of preparing wholesome and balanced options for them, showcasing family recipes that had been passed down through generations. Her cooking became a way not only to sustain but to lovingly associate with the emotional depth of home-cooked meals, enriching their lives with the comforts of nostalgia. Juile’s love of the culinary world has led her through many parts of the hospitality industry from bars & restaurants to country clubs and caterers. Her membership in Les Dames d’Escoffier has opened her to chefs, authors and food writers and manufacturers. Her work with LDEI Chicago has included fundraising, mentoring and teaching to the McCormick Boys and Girls Club.

Artist, Chef, Creative Grief Practitioner, Death Doula, Stephanie has served many communities. Through her beloved Angel Food Bakery, Managing a small town Farmers market, facilitating bereavement groups, and most recently, re-emerging as a member/instructor in the much anticipated rebuilt Out Of the Fire Clay Studio, in Evanston. Now, she has found a way to combine all her passions by developing Memory’s Kitchen. Providing creative nourishment for caretakers, their families, and supporting the bereaved through cooking, clay, and community with the meaning making of what remains. "I feel most connected in nature, and use that nature in my art. Starting with clay, I add collected materials that I find when moving through the world. I am interested in portraying the common seasons that nature and humans experience – be it birth, aging, death, decay, grief and the all the spaces that happen in-between. Dream imagery, along with messages I am given when awake and engaged, are the inspiration for most of my work. Then sometimes, it’s just playing in the mud."

Am Shalom’s mission, as a Reform congregation, is to engage, enlighten, embrace and educate our members in ways that build a sense of community, while respecting individual forms of expression and belief. We seek to explore our Jewish roots, awareness and values, and enrich the spiritual lives of our members, while serving humanity through social action.

I am a photographer, writer, curator and exhibit developer with academic training in anthropology and photography. I am a 2nd generation photographer and have been photographing since childhood--which was some time ago. My design firm developed over 100 museum exhibits nation-wide, everything from the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library to the Spertus Museum's Zell Holocaust Memorial. I was ethnographic photography coordinator for the Field Museum and have taught at Columbia College, Purdue University, the School of the Art Institute and Lake Forest College, where I lectured in both the Art and History departments. I have received many grants including a Fulbright award for 'Following the Box: Exploring an Archive of Anonymous Photographs from India', an exhibit and film co-directed with my wife Jerri Zbiral. The exhibit opened in Kolkata and has been shown in Delhi, Chicago, Pasadena and Reno. In the late 1960s, I founded the Inner-City Photo Workshop, working with young people who had left the public schools. My most recent project is "Still At It," a documentary project focusing on elders over 75 who are still passionately engaged in ther lives. I've taught several adult ed classes at Beth Emet, including one on Jewish Photography and another on Jews in India. I've showcased the work of painter Leo Segedin and the process of designing and producing a Holocaust Torah mantle for The Forward. My life has revolved around photography and ideas (and humor) and I'm eager to share my perspective with others.

Cantor Rosalie Will is the first cantor in the 165 year history of the renowned Chicago Sinai Congregation. She brings more than 25 years of experience in training songleaders, leading worship, and creating joyful singing communities. Following 16 years with Temple Emanuel in Kensington, MD, she consulted with congregations on issues of worship, music, and synagogue transition, traveled extensively in congregational residencies, and coached clergy in the field. Cantor Will is founder, former Executive Director, and current Program Director of Sing Unto God, a non-profit dedicated to elevating the practice and impact of communal singing, and the producing organization for Hava Nashira, the seminal songleader conference founded by Debbie Friedman z”l and Cantor Jeff Kepper in 1992. She has produced or co-produced numerous events which lead the cutting edge of worship and music thinking, including four Biennials for the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) and continues to support the URJ on issues of worship and music. Cantor Will is the author of a narrative trade book with Transcontinental Music Publishing entitled Songleading: A Work of Art. Rosalie was ordained from the Debbie Friedman School of Sacred Music of HUC-JIR in New York and served as Vice-President for Member Relations of the American Conference of Cantors (ACC). She is a product of URJ Camps and NFTY and received her undergraduate degree in Jewish Studies from the University of Pennsylvania, and lives in Chicago with her husband, David, and is the proud mother of Tahlia and Arielle.

Cantor Natalie Young is an award-winning composer, performer, and spiritual leader whose music has become a meaningful part of Jewish communities across North America. Blending heartfelt melodies with timeless Jewish texts, she creates songs that are both deeply rooted in tradition and accessible to contemporary audiences. Serving as Cantor of Beth Emet The Free Synagogue in Evanston, Illinois, Natalie believes that music has the power to transform prayer into connection, gatherings into community, and ordinary moments into sacred experiences. Whether leading worship, teaching, performing in concert, or composing for life-cycle celebrations, her goal is always the same: to help people discover themselves and one another through song. Many of Natalie's compositions began as deeply personal commissions—written to celebrate weddings and anniversaries, honor loved ones, mark moments of healing, or give voice to prayers that deserved a fresh melody. Those individual stories have taken on lives of their own, finding homes in congregations, homes, camps, and communities around the world. Her newest album, Where Love Dwells, is a collection of these songs—music born from real lives, enduring relationships, and the belief that love is one of the most sacred forces we share. It is an invitation to sing, to reflect, and to celebrate the moments that bind us together. Natalie was honored with the American Conference of Cantors' Ba'al Chazon Award for Vision in Sacred Music, recognizing her creative contributions to contemporary Jewish music. Through every melody she writes, she hopes to create spaces where people feel seen, inspired, and connected—to one another, to tradition, and to the Divine.

I got into photography in the first semester of my freshman year at ETHS. With my basketball plans falling apart because of a broken arm, I worried about finding direction as I began high school. Luckily, it wasn't so hard to find: I took a photography class, and it felt new and interesting. I was never artistically inclined using a pencil or a paintbrush - photography seemed much more natural. I later joined the Evanstonian, the school newspaper, and am now Photo Section Editor. I stayed around the basketball team even though I wasn't playing, becoming the team photographer. I also picked up photography jobs/internships at Evanston institutions I grew up with, including Beth Emet Synagogue, the Evanston Baseball and Softball Association (EBSA), Northwestern University, and McGaw YMCA Camp Echo. Though most of my paid positions and internships are around sports and events, my favorite type of photography is street photography, which I practice often. I usually shoot digitally on my Canon R6 Mark II or my Fujifilm X-T30III, but I also occasionally shoot film.