Rabbi D'ror Chankin-Gould

In the few years Rabbi D'ror Chankin-Gould has been at Anshe Emet Synagogue in Lakeview, he has transformed not only the congregation, but the community as a whole.

As an LGBT Jewish leader, he has brought innovative and inclusive programming to the entire Lakeview community through programs such as "Families Like Us," a group for LGBT families, and other groups serving adoptive families. He launched an inclusion committee to ensure that Jews of all abilities can participate in the community, and a Bikur Holim (visiting the sick) committee to ensure that every congregant who is home-bound or ill will be visited.

Rabbi Chankin-Gould cares about the little things, organizing rides to school for children whose parents are caring for a sick relative, and making himself available to speak with congregants any time of day, any day of the week.

Age:

34

Primary gig:

Rabbi at Anshe Emet Synagogue

On the side:

Husband and father

Relationship status:

Married

Something most people don’t know about me:

I was the first openly LGBT person ordained from the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies, editor in chief of the LGBTQ Resource Guide for Hillel International, and had an awesome toothbrush collection in elementary school

How do you Jew in Chicago?

By serving the incredibly dynamic Anshe Emet community working with young families, religious school, young adults, the LGBT community, and more. In particular, attempting to bring greater pastoral care and counseling resources to the community here in the city with the help of partners from JCFS.

Chicago's Jewish community in 10 years:

More open to people who don't fit in “the normal mode,” flourishing from the contributions of those "outsiders" who have become awesome leaders.