In July of 2004, Rabbi Michael R. Zedek began service as Senior Rabbi of Emanuel Congregation in Chicago, IL. Prior to accepting that position, the Rabbi was the Chief Executive Officer of the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati,where he served for 4 years.
Previously,
he served for 26 years as the spiritual leader
of Congregation B'nai Jehudah in Kansas City, Missouri. At the time of his
installation in 1976, he was the youngest rabbi in the United States to head
a "giant" congregation. With over 1,900 families, B'nai Jehudah
is the
oldest and largest congregation in Kansas City. He was ordained in June of
1974 and was chosen to be alumnus-in-residence at the Cincinnati campus of
Hebrew Union College (HUC-JIR). Rabbi Zedek is the youngest man to receive
this honor.
Rabbi
Zedek was the recipient of the Danforth Graduate Fellowship for
outstanding teaching, a Fulbright-Hays Grant for advanced study in the
United Kingdom and is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Hamilton College,
Clinton, New York.
In
addition to his professional activities, Rabbi Zedek is deeply involved
in civic affairs having served on a number of national and international
boards.
He
has also had numerous teaching and speaking appointments around the world
on a wide range of topics, especially focusing on spirituality and folklore.
He has taught and lectured in South Africa, Russia, China, the former
Yugoslavia, Israel and in many other venues.
Rabbi
Zedek is a regular presenter at Rancho La Puerta in Tecate, Mexico. He
also serves as the host of a radio show, Religion on the Line, which is
currently under consideration for national syndication.
Rabbi
Zedek is married to Karen, and they have two daughters, Susan
and Betsy. Susan is married to Joseph freudenberg and is the mother of their
two grandchildren, Sam and Julia.
