Rabbi Ari Moffic

Rabbi Ari Moffic is a friend to so many interfaith couples and families in Chicago. As the director of InterfaithFamily/Chicago, Ari empowers people in interfaith relationships—individuals, couples, families, and their children—to engage in Jewish life and make Jewish choices, and to encourage Jewish communities to welcome them. She works with interfaith couples and families to discuss interfaith issues, offer resources, and introduce them to Jewish communal professionals, Jewish clergy, and other families in similar life situations.

With intermarriage rates hovering around 50 percent or more, the rabbi is reaching Jews and dealing with Jewish issues that are current, complicated, and require the guidance, skill, and sensitivity of a trained rabbi and the unique touch of Ari’s interpersonal skills.

Ordained by Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in 2007, Ari teaches online and in-person classes, both “Raising a Child With Judaism in Your Interfaith Family,” and “Love and Religion,” a workshop for newly married and seriously dating interfaith couples to discuss how to share religious traditions in their lives.

“Identity formation, modern interpretations of culture and religion, and making Jewish living accessible, relevant, and meaningful are the areas that drive and inspire Rabbi Moffic,” said Amy Berger, her friend and colleague at the JUF Joyfully Jewish program, which helps young children explore and cultivate Jewish life. “She believes in learning through doing and engaging the entire family in transformative Jewish experiences.”

Ari is married to another rabbi, Rabbi Evan Moffic, the senior rabbi at Congregation Solel in Highland Park, and a 2012 Double Chai honoree! They have two small kids, Hannah and Tamir.

Whether for her own family or for so many others in town, Ari’s here to help engage families in meaningful and positive Jewish life.

Name:
Rabbi Ari Moffic

Age:
37

Pays the bills:
Director, InterfaithFamily/Chicago

On the side:
Mom! (on the side, in the middle, all around)

Relationship status:
Married

Describe yourself in 10 words or less:
Efficient, funny, multi-tasker extraordinaire, passionate about my work, and momhood

Celebrity doppelganger:
A younger Winona Ryder before she started stealing stuff from stores.

How do you Jew in Chicago?
As Rebbetzin at Solel (when I manage to show up), with my kids at everything PJ Library and JCC offers, and by singing Jewish songs in the car with gusto.

Passions:
My work, being a parent, being a friend and partner, reality TV (sorry).

How do you give back?
By supporting JUF and the amazing work it does in Chicago, by loving synagogues and trying to get people in the door, by spreading the word about what’s going on in Chicago for those interested to connect with something Jewish.

Fill in the blank: If time and money were limitless, I would:
Have a cook create the most kid-friendly, gluten free, high protein, good for you, tasty food for my family and friends and would use the endless money to make sure nobody lacked something of basic necessity because of insufficient funds (maschiah).

Chicago's Jewish community in 10 years:
Every interfaith couple and family who wants Judaism in their lives has an easy time finding clergy and community to connect with, has an easy time accessing classes and learning, has opportunities to visit Israel, and has support of family and friends whose opinions matter. As for synagogues, I hope they are around and flourishing and are led by clergy, educators, and lay leaders who are, above all else, kind and understanding.

Me in 10 years:
Living through my daughter learning to drive (can’t even imagine that one), more patient, less frenetic, happy and healthy (I hope).