CONGRATS-RABBI MICHAEL SIEGEL

104th Regular Session Introduced by Sara Feigenholtz

The bill formally honors Rabbi Michael Siegel for his leadership, interfaith work, and community service, recognizing his retirement and contributions to Chicago and beyond.

Referred to Assignments

Summary of SR0827 (104th General Assembly, Illinois)

Purpose and intent

Recognizes and congratulates Rabbi Michael Siegel on his retirement as Senior Rabbi of the Anshe Emet Synagogue.

Acknowledges his ordination (1982, Jewish Theological Seminary of America) and his service as Senior Rabbi since 1990.

Commends his leadership, community building, and contributions to the Jewish community in Chicago and nationally.

Key provisions and changes

Formal resolution expressing appreciation and esteem from the Illinois Senate.

Highlights Rabbi Siegel’s roles and achievements, including:

Leadership and participation in various national and regional Jewish organizations (e.g., Rabbinical Assembly of America Executive Council, Jewish Theological Seminary Chancellor's Rabbinic Cabinet, MAZON board, Chicago Board of Rabbis, Magen Tzedek Commission).
Efforts to promote interfaith dialogue and understanding between Chicago’s African American and Jewish communities.
Initiatives such as joint study groups for religious leaders, teen programming, Hunger Seders, and community partnerships.
Service as representative in Washington, D.C., including participation in the U.S. Honorary Delegation for Israel’s 60th anniversary and a guest chaplainship in the U.S. House of Representatives (2015).
Current community involvement with Bright Star Community Outreach TURN Center Board of Directors.

Encourages (by formality) the presentation of a suitable copy of the resolution to Rabbi Siegel.

Affected parties and impact

Primary beneficiary: Rabbi Michael Siegel and the Anshe Emet Synagogue community.

The broader Illinois community benefits from formal recognition of interfaith engagement, social justice, hunger relief efforts, and cross-community collaboration highlighted in the resolution.

No statutory or regulatory changes; this is a ceremonial resolution expressing appreciation and respect.

Procedural and timeline aspects

The bill is a Senate Resolution (SR) from the 104th General Assembly.

No fiscal impact, enforcement provisions, or effective dates beyond the act of passage and presentation of the resolution.

Sponsored by Senator(s); co-sponsor listed as Sara Feigenholtz.

Typically, such resolutions are adopted by the Senate to honor a notable individual and are presented to the honoree.

Additional notes

The resolution emphasizes Rabbinic leadership, community service, and efforts to foster dialogue across communities.

It serves as a formal public acknowledgment by the Illinois Senate of Rabbi Siegel’s contributions and retirement.