From Eric’s Desk, September 15, 2022
Announcement of Eliyahu Elijah Collins
as Ahavas Sholom’s first ever Associate Rabbi
It is my honor and privilege to welcome Eliyahu Elijah Collins to Ahavas Sholom as he begins his tenure as Ahavas Sholom’s first ever Associate Rabbi! Eliyahu is entering his fifth year of rabbinical school under the watchful eye and tutelage of the Dean of the Israelite Rabbinical Academy in Queens, NY, Rabbi Baruch A. Yehudah and Chief Rabbi of the The International Israelite Board of Rabbis, Inc., Rabbi Capers C. Funnye.
A long time member of the Chicago Board of Rabbis, Rabbi Funnye also sits on the New York Board of Rabbis, along with Rabbi Yehudah. Their involvement with, and commitment to, K’lal Yisrael has led them to integrate their community into mainstream Jewish life!
We are PROUD to welcome Rabbi Eliyahu, along with his outstanding scholarship and the exceptionally high level of “yiddishkeit” he brings, which we so value at Ahavas Sholom and as Jews!
Rabbi Eliyahu will be open for consultations and/or office hours throughout the year. His career within the field of substance abuse as a credentialed Substance Abuse Counselor and currently, as the Director of Veritas House Community Residence, lends itself perfectly for the demands of chaplaincy work and any other communal challenges that might present themselves.
Additionally, we are further BLESSED every week with the presence of Eliyahu’s lovely family – his wife Shaaila, four year old son Zephanya, nine year old daughter Gavriella, and sixteen year old son Shatemiya, who not only davens but also leins flawlessly from the Torah – having such a young man on the bima as an active participant is not something we are accustomed to at Ahavas Sholom. They bring a vitality and youthfulness to our services which have been uplifting and CONSPICUOUSLY MISSING for a long, long time!
On behalf of the Ahavas Sholom community, it is with great excitement and anticipation that I welcome Rabbi Eliyahu and his BEAUTIFUL family!
L’Shana Tova,
Eric