Barry Schechter
Rabbi Emeritus

Rabbi Barry Schechter was born in London, England. Following Yeshiva studies at Etz Chaim in London and Gateshead Talmudical Academy he was ordained as a Rabbi. He has master's degrees in economics from Cambridge University and Essex University in England and did graduate work at Northwestern University. Serving Congregation Kol Emeth since 1981, first as Cantor and then Rabbi.

Rabbi Schechter has also become well-known for his programs on Jewish humor. These have been given at synagogues in the Chicago area, Milwaukee and New York, as well as Hadassah groups, YIVO, public libraries, the Universities of Chicago, Hartford, Reading (England) and the Jewish organization Gesher in Berlin. His popular Cable TV series Yiddish and Laughter won a Telly Award in 1999.

He has also lectured on the History of Eastern European Jews, Yiddish Language and Dialects, Austrian and German Jewish Refugees in Britain, the Holocaust, and other subjects of Jewish interest.

Rabbi Schechter speaks Yiddish, German, Hebrew, Polish, Russian and French, and has published articles in scholarly journals, as well as in the National Jewish Post and Opinion and the Washington Post.

He has lectured on Beliefs and Practices of Judaism to Catholic groups.

rabbischechter@kolemethskokie.org

Sarah Alexander
Hazzan and Spiritual Leader

Hazzan Sarah Alexander is a proud Chicago native who lives in Skokie with her husband and two children. She feels deeply blessed to serve as the Spiritual Leader of Congregation Kol Emeth, where she treasures the opportunity to help the community grow, connect, and thrive together. 

A member of the Cantors Assembly since 2004, she is a firm believer in the power of music and participatory worship to bring people closer to God.  

Hazzan Alexander studied under Hazzan Rabbi Shlomo Shuster z”l, who inspired her to serve G-d and the Jewish people as a thoroughly learned and dedicated Conservative Hazzan. 

She began her career as Hazzan Sheni at Ezra Habonim - the Niles Township Jewish Congregation, where she also led the Religious School.  She then served as Kol Bo (sole clergy) at Congregation Shirat Shalom in Elgin, leading services, delivering sermons, teaching classes, and working closely with youth and adult students. Her path next led her to CJE Senior Life, where she led Shabbat and holiday services, taught classes, and provided pastoral care. She also created custom siddurim tailored to the needs of the residents at both Gidwitz and Lieberman.

During this time period, and with the goal of opening a path to traditional Jewish prayer to every person, Hazzan Alexander created transliterated siddurim which are paginated to match the standard Conservative prayerbooks. As a keruv (outreach) project, these siddurim are available for free and are now used in hundreds of synagogues on four continents. The files can be accessed at tinyurl.com/siddurfiles. She is currently working on a transliterated High Holiday machzor, which she hopes to make available for the 5788 holidays.

A longtime student of Gemara and traditional Jewish texts, as well as the writings of modern sages, Hazzan Alexander aspires to make worship and Torah study engaging, inclusive, and spiritually meaningful for all. She looks forward to connecting with you at the shul, by phone, or via email.

hazzanalexander@kolemethskokie.org

Ronald C. Roth
President

Ron was born in the West Rogers Park neighborhood and raised in the Northwest suburbs. After graduating from Streamwood High School, Ron went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology and zoology from Western Illinois University. Upon graduation, he enrolled at Worsham College of Mortuary Science and began his career in funeral service in 1988.

Ron is an active member of Congregation Kol Emeth, where he serves on numerous committees. He has also served as President of his Homeowners Association for over 25 years. His passion for music has led him to ringing handbells in a local handbell choir since 1992.

president@kolemethskokie.org