knows how to juggle and has perfected baking gluten-free brownies, both of which have brought her renown in very small circles. In her professional life, Rabbi Manewith has worked as a formal and informal Jewish educator, served as Director of Education for congregational schools, and worked as a consultant and curriculum writer for more than 25 years. She counts Rosh Hodesh: It’s a Girl Thing, Ta’am Yisrael, and Second Nurture among her clients. Rabbi Manewith worked for Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life, for ten years, most notably as the director of the Syracuse and American University Hillels. She has been a faculty member at several summer camps including Kutz, Camp Harlam, Camp Ben Frankel and (her favorite) OSRUI, and has taken hundreds of students on trips to Israel, Ukraine, and Germany.  Rabbi Manewith is a Curriculum Specialist for the Marshall Jewish Learning Center.

has been teaching, directing, and performing improvisation and sketch comedy at The iO (formerly the Improv Olympic) and The Second City in Chicago for over almost two decades. Originally from Miami, Florida, Jessica received her a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education (minor in Theatre) from The University of Florida,  a Master’s Degree in Special Education from UIC, and second Master’s Degree in School Administration from The American College of Education.  Jessica merges her creative expertise with twenty years of work experience as a public school teacher. She provides Professional Development through the use of improvisation in the classroom to educators nationwide, including teachers and administrators within the Chicago Public Schools and members of the Community Foundation for Jewish Education of the Jewish United Fund of Metropolitan Chicago. Proud to be the lead teacher for Improv for Creative Pedagogy and the director of the Second City’s Teen Ensemble, Jessica loves teaching. A Company Member and Assistant Director of Face Off Unlimited, and the former Artistic Director for CIP’s Teen Comedy Festival, Jessica has performed in and directed countless shows throughout the greater Chicagoland Area and numerous National Improv and Comedy Festivals. All of these opportunities have been made possible by the love and support of her husband and son.

is the Director of the Board of Jewish Education of Metropolitan Chicago’s Marshall Jewish Learning Center and Founding Director of JTeach.org. A seasoned educator, Linda has dedicated her career to inspiring teachers to widen their educational approaches so that their students find joy and meaning in Jewish learning. She is a sought-after workshop leader, and has served as an education director, art educator and curriculum specialist in a variety of Jewish settings. She earned an MA in Jewish Education and Jewish Communal Service from Brandeis University, and a BA in Religious Studies from the University of Illinois. Linda Sonin is the author of Celebrating Israel through the Arts and Walk the Talk: Jewish Values in Action.