Allison Rosenfeld

Allison Rosenfeld is a role model not only for the teens who attend Jewish Student Connection programs in public high schools around Chicago, but also for the middle schoolers at North Shore Congregation Israel (NCSI) and participants in Beyond and Back, NSCI’s group for young professionals. Her passion, dedication, confidence, and sincerity prompted multiple nominations for this year’s Double Chai.

Allison “creates relationships with high schoolers all over Chicago, empowers them, and enables them to talk with her and each other about Jewish ideas and identity,” said Rabbi Wendi Geffen of NCSI. But Allison’s involvement in the Jewish community doesn’t stop with teenagers: her relationships span the generations. She regularly facilitates synagogue classes for young Jews, has led many low-barrier Jewish experiences for families with young children in the western suburbs, and often helps lead Shabbat services.

“Allison’s personal commitment to Judaism is transparent,” said Amy Berger, a friend and former colleague who also nominated Allison. “She loves what she does and brings energy and life to her work. She is a role model for other young Chicagoland Jews and Jewish professionals.”

Name:
Allison Rosenfeld

Age:
27

Pays the bills:
Educator/Advisor at the Jewish Student Connection.  I facilitate programs in order to empower high school students to explore what Jewish means to them. 

On the side:
You can usually find me: a) at North Shore Congregation Israel singing or spending time with their teen youth group, b) in Milwaukee visiting my grandfather, c) at a great all-you-can-eat sushi place (with less-than-great service) in Highwood.

Relationship status:
Single

Describe yourself in 10 words or less:
The best things come in small (but spunky) packages!

Celebrity doppelganger:
I didn’t have one (I always get “you look so familiar” but never because of anyone specific), so I downloaded the myceleb app for some help. It spit out a picture of Hayden Panettiere circa 2000.  I definitely see it.

How do you Jew in Chicago?
Since I work in the Jewish community, I’m fortunately able to “Jew” a lot during my 9-to-5. Additionally, whether it’s JUF, ADL, JET (Jewish Education Team) or North Shore Congregation Israel, I’m involved with many other organizations that allow me to express my Jewish self.

Passions:
Spending time with the people I love, music, problem solving, relationship-building, mint Milanos.

How do you give back?
I'm the type of person that gives a little bit to a lot of causes. I'm a sucker for direct mail marketing and try to give at least some change to anyone I see on the street.  I also have a rule for myself to annually support the many great causes to which my friends are committed.  When it’s not financial support, I try to give my time and energy. 

Fill in the blank: If time and money were limitless, I would:
Find a way to renew the planet’s natural resources, eat at Sukiyabashi Jiro, invent the teleporter.  

Chicago's Jewish community in 10 years:
A place where everyone who identifies as Jewish has a way to plug in and the dividing lines between us become blurred or nonexistent. One where tight-knit communities are able to work together to be a force within the city. I am someone who strongly associates with the synagogue model. Despite things trending away from that model, in 10 years I would love to see vibrant congregations that continue to be the connectors to Jewish life in Chicago, especially for teens, young professionals and young families.

Me in 10 years:
Sharing my life with someone important to me, well-traveled, fulfilled. In a nutshell, happy.