OUR STAFF

Meet the Chicago Community Kollel’s talented administration!

Rabbi Moshe Francis, Rosh Kollel

Vital Statistics:
Hometown:	Brooklyn, NY
Education:	Studied under Rav Avrohom Pam at Yeshiva Torah Vodaath and received smicha (rabbinic ordination) from Rabbi Moshe DovBer Rivkin, Z"L. Joined the first group of students to study at Yeshiva Netzach Yisroel in Jerusalem with Rav Yisroel Gustman, Z"L Spent 10 years studying under Rav Shneur Kotler, Z"L at Beth Medrash Govoha of Lakewood
Vocation:	Co-founder and Rosh Kollel of the Chicago Community Kollel for 16 years and running
Family:	Rabbi Francis’ wife Zelda, who also hails from Brooklyn, holds an M.A. in special education from Trenton State University. Zelda runs a resource room in Chicago’s Public school system The Francis’ have 5 girls and 3 boys, ages 3 to 21
While co-authoring the halacha work "Chol Hamoed" in Lakewood, NJ, with Rabbi Dovid Zucker in the early 80s, the two rabbis were approached with the idea of starting up a Kollel in Chicago. "We started out with the goal of popularizing, to the orthodox community, the idea of setting aside time for Torah learning. We then tried to achieve an apolitical, diversified and broad appeal, to reach out to the full spectrum of the Jewish community," says Rabbi Francis. "Ever since we came, there has been a proliferation of Torah in Chicago." When the Kollel first opened its doors in 1981, for example, there were only a couple of Daf Yomi shiurim (Gemorah classes) being offered in Chicago. Now, a couple dozen classes are available every week, not to mention countless other classes all over the city. Most of the Kollel’s alumni have remained in Chicago, serving as rabbis in synagogues, educators in the school system and founders of outreach organizations. "It is our goal to expand the Kollel’s outreach utilizing cutting-edge technology and innovative programming to appeal to Chicago’s broader Jewish community," says Rabbi Francis.

Rabbi Dovid Zucker, Rosh Kollel

Vital Statistics:
Hometown:	Washington Heights, NY
Education:	Studied under Rav Ya’akov Kaminetzky, Z"L, at Yeshiva Torah Vodaath Spent 14 years studying under Rav Shneur Kotler, at Beth Medrash Govoha of Lakewood
Vocation:	Co-founder and Rosh Kollel of the Chicago Community Kollel for 16 years and running
Family:	Rabbi Zucker’s wife, Rivka, raised in Brooklyn,teaches 10th grade and runs the Chesed program at Hannah Sachs Bais Yaakov High School The Zuckers have 8 girls and 3 boys, 4 of which are married
While co-authoring the halacha work "Chol Hamoed" in Lakewood, NJ, with Rabbi Moshe Francis in the early 80s, the two rabbis were approached with the idea of starting up a Kollel in Chicago. "We were a bit hesitant at first, and I had never considered being a Rosh Kollel, but it did seem like an exciting opportunity," recalls Rabbi Zucker. Coming from New York, the rabbis appreciated the close-knit warmth of Chicago’s Jewish community. "The city was small enough to really feel a part of things but large enough to have all the makings of a community, serving both physical and spiritual needs," he says. Among the Kollel’s big successes has been attracting many Jewish leaders and educators to Chicago, as well as serving as a catalyst for new organizations and institutions, according to Rabbi Zucker.

Rabbi Yehoshua Karsh, Director of Outreach

Vital Statistics:
Hometown:	Milwaukee, WI
Education:	Received smicha from Jerusalem’s Yeshiva Mishkan Hatorah Holds a M.Ed. in guidance and counseling from Marquette University-Wisconsin
Vocation:	Spent 17 years in Jerusalem learning, and eventually teaching, primarily at Ohr Somayach
Family:	Rabbi Karsh’s wife Tzippy, a native of Brooklyn,is a certified teacher and is currently working for Nordstroms in sales. The Karshes have 4 boys, ages 6-13
Hobbies:	Reading, writing and introducing "Israeli" kids to American pastimes such as ball games and amusement parks
Although Rabbi Yehoshua Karsh was happily employed by Ohr Somayach in Jerusalem as an instructor, contributing editor of "Jerusalem Echoes" and author of their weekly "Ask the Rabbi" column, the Karshs decided to return to the states a couple years ago to be near family. "In Jerusalem, being a rabbi is highly competitive. When you carve out your niche there is lots to do, but here it’s more wide open. There’s a sense that if you don’t go out and do something, it might not get done," says Rabbi Karsh. For the past three years, Rabbi Karsh has been heading up the Kollel’s outreach division and putting countless miles on his car in the process. Between his Monday noon class at the Decalogue Society downtown, his Tuesday morning women’s class in Lincolnwood, and his Thursday night parsha class in Lincoln Park, to name a few of the highlights, Rabbi Karsh also dedicates his time to one-on-one chavrusas with more than a couple dozen lucky Chicagoans. "I don’t view outreach as a vocation, it’s a way of life. It’s about being a professional big brother, a professional friend and a professional doer of kindness," he says.

Rabbi Zev Kahn, Associate Director of Outreach (occupant of the Tanenbaum-Wolff Academic Chair of Jewish Ethics)
Vital Statistics:
Hometown:	Cape Town, South Africa
Education:	Ohr Lagolah, graduate and assistant director,Ohr Somayach, Jerusalem Received smicha from Rav Zalman Nechamia Goldberg Holds a business degree in actuary science from the University of Cape Town
Hobbies:	Rugby, photography, family time
Family:	The Kahns have 2 little boys, ages 1 and 2
What is a former Maccabia Games South African gold medalist doing in Chicago, IL? Coinciding with the Kollel’s plans to expand their educational programming, Rabbi Zev Kahn recently came on board as the Kollel’s newest recruit. After a six year stint in Jerusalem, highlighted by extensive learning pursuits and several leadership positions at Ohr Somayach, Rabbi Kahn decided it was time to more actively put his people skills to use. A combination of Jewish Chicago’s strong reputation and the opportunity to work alongside Outreach Director Rabbi Yehoshua Karsh, attracted the former rugby star to the Windy City. Rabbi Kahn has been running with the ball ever since his first day on the job. In addition to teaching, he is now coordinating the Kollel’s monthly downtown "Buffet of Jewish Thought" presenting nationally known Jewish personalities on contemporary issues. "So far Chicago has been exactly what we were hoping for, very Jewish and very friendly," says Rabbi Kahn. "I hope to further introduce as many people as I can to the beauty of Judaism and its teachings." (more about Rabbi Kahn)