VOL. 49 NO. 11, June/July 2015 Sivan/Tammuz/Av 5775
‘Every rabbi sho ould be blessed in this way’ Rabbi Carl and Ju udy Wolkin to retire after 35 years Growing up a “three-day-a-year” Jew in upstate New York, o Carl Woolkin saw rabbis only as distant
more than 20 trips andd missions to Israel. Rabbi Wolkin o servedd as president of the Northbrook Clergy A Association, the Chicago Region of the R Rabbinical Assembly and the Chicago Boaard of Rabbis. He has been a member of the Jewish United Fund/Jewish Federaation of Metropolitan Chicago Board of D Directors. He also served as president of the Community Mikvah of the Connservative Movement, and is on thee Rabbinic Advisory Council of the Chiicagoland Jewish High School.
It was when he interacted with rabbis through USY and Camp Ramah Berkshires as a teen, however, that the idea of becoming one gelled. “If I can be this kind of rabbi, it will be okaay,,” he recalled thinking. Moreover, “If my father could sell furniture, I could sell Judaism.”
chael Balter Photo by Mich
More than three decades later, Rabbi Carl Woolkin is retiring as Congregation Beth Shalom’s Senior Rabbi – a post he’s had for 35 years at a single congregation.
group of graduatees of the Center for Rabbinic Enrichment of the Shalom Harrtman Institute in Jerusalem.
Judy Woolkin, who grew up in a traditional Jewish hoome on Long Island, swore she’d never marry a rabbi. She met herr future h b d at Camp husband C Ramah R h andd they h dated d d while hil both b h attended a d d University in New Yoork. “Our eyes met at early services (and) we just connected,” she said. They married in 1969, 1 during
Judy Woolkin’s popular Sisterhood kosher coooking classes, which expanded to thhe JCC and grew into “Judy’s Kitchen,” K led to the creation i off twoo Sisterhood Si h d Essabissel E bi l cookbo kbooks. She recently retired after teaching more than 20 years at Solomon Schechter Day School.
Rabbi Woolkin called his wife “the most important peerson in my life and the key to my success as a rabbi.
“Rabbi Waaxman would say, ‘It’s important yoou become known in your communiity.’ So we’ve succeeded, both of us,” Rabbi Woolkin said. “I’d like to be known as a rabbi who hellped people grow.
“I’ve led a charmed life for which I’m very grateful,”” he continued. “I’ve loved the people I’ve worked with. Every rabbi should be blessed in this way.”
ways a rabbi can.” c
Rabbi Woolkin received his rabbinic ordination from tthe Jewish
organizations. The Woolkins plan on staying inn the community, and effective f July 1, Rabbi Woolkin will servee the congregation as Rabbi Emeritus.
hired by Temple Israel in Great Neck, N.Y. as assistaant rabbi to his mentor, Rabbi Mordecai Waxman. a Eight years later he received the offfer from Congregation Beth Shalom. Under his leadership, the congregation grew from 5000 families to more than 1,200 families. He started the popular “Shhabbat Under the Stars” Stars services, and he and his wife led or partici participated ipated in
The Woolkins are a the proud parents of Josh annd David David, and
Join usJoin at ausreception andand progra am toto at a reception program celebrate Rabbi Carl and Judy W Wolkin celebrate Rabbi Carl and Judy Wolkin 3 PM Sunday, June 3 p.m. Sunday, June 2828 Couvert $18.00 per person See reply card inside on page e XX
www.BethShalomNB.org