Stepping Down

A Letter from Rabbi Brant

Dear Haverim,

As many of you know, last year I informed our board that I plan to step down as Tzedek Chicago’s full-time rabbi in the spring of 2026. Needless to say, this was an important decision for me personally – and while I have a myriad of feelings about the prospect, foremost among them is gratitude. 

As we celebrate our congregation’s 10th anniversary this year, I am so deeply proud of what we have accomplished. I would have never dreamed ten years ago that I would have the opportunity to create a new congregation at this point in my career. Helping to found and grow Tzedek has been one of the proudest accomplishments of my life. At the same time, I am acutely aware that I have been doing the (often arduous) work of a congregational rabbi for over 30 years – and I feel very secure that the time is right for me to turn the day-to-day work of the congregation to a new rabbi.

Tzedek Chicago's Rabbinic Search Committee has been working hard all year putting together a process to recruit a new rabbi and I am happy to announce that they are currently accepting applications. If you know of any potential candidates, please forward them the application. Feel free to email rabbisearch@tzedekchicago.org with any questions you may have about the search process.  

Though I will be stepping down, I would very much like to have some ongoing role at Tzedek Chicago going forward – and I have already begun preliminary conversations with our board about what form this role might take. I am considering this move to be a “transition” rather than a retirement. In truth, I don’t envision my life looking too different post-Spring 2026: I relish the opportunity to have more time to devote to writing, teaching and local/national activism. I fully expect this transition will give more time to increase my involvement in the kinds of activities that have always mattered deeply to me.

I will not be saying my formal goodbyes for a while; for now, I will only express my deep and profound gratitude to the Tzedek Chicago leadership and to this amazing congregation for inspiring me every moment since our founding – and for giving me the opportunity to create a conscience-driven rabbinate in ways I never could have ever dreamed possible. Wherever we go into the future, I know we will go from strength to strength.

In Friendship and Shalom,

Rabbi Brant Rosen