About Us

Rabbi Marks began her tenure at TBI on July 1, 2021.  She was born and raised in suburban Chicago.  From a very young age she was involved in her synagogue, youth group, and as a young camper, then counselor and unit head at Olin-Sang Ruby Union Institute, the Reform Movement’s summer camp in Oconomowoc, WI.  It was these experiences, along with a set of rich family customs and traditions, that led Rabbi Marks to discover her passion for Judaism.  Rabbi Marks felt called to the rabbinate to be a leader and a teacher in the Jewish community with the mission of transmitting Jewish wisdom, inspiring social action, and promoting a vibrant Jewish life for people on all stages of their journeys.  She believes the sacred synagogue community has the potential to be the Jewish answer to the challenge of radical individualism.

Rabbi Marks received a Bachelor of Arts in Jewish Studies from Indiana University.  She attended the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR) in Los Angeles where she earned her rabbinic ordination, as well as a Master of Arts in Jewish Education from the Rhea Hirsch School of Education.  

She is known for her warmth, creativity, and commitment to Talmud Torah – Jewish Study, and passion for Tikkun Olam – social justice work.  Having previously served as Associate Rabbi, Director of Congregational Learning at Congregation Shalom in Milwaukee, WI, Rabbi Marks worked in collaboration with the clergy team to revamp family Shabbat and holiday services and experiences, as well as the Selichot and Purim experiences for adults.  She brought programs such as “Pop Up Shabbat,” “Torah on the Trails” and “The Expecting Parents’ Circle,” to the congregation, all of which helped to broaden and deepen the congregation’s impact on segments of the community not normally reached.  She introduced innovative learning models for students of all ages, and brought a variety of stimulating adult educational opportunities to Congregation Shalom. 

Rabbi Marks is deeply involved in the wider community, some highlights of this work include serving each summer since her ordination on the faculty at Olin-Sang-Ruby Union Institute.  She has also served on the ARZA board and sits on the Rabbinical Alumni Association of HUC-JIR, and has served on the executive committee for the faith-based, community organizing group, MICAH (Milwaukee Inner-City Congregations Allied for Hope).

Rabbi Marks is married to Albert Marks.  They feel blessed to be able to raise their children, George and Dena as part of the TBI family.

Contact Rabbi Marks

For over two decades I have had the honor of sharing my educational vision with the Temple Beth Israel community. After graduating from the Hebrew Union College Jewish Institute of Religion with a Master’s in Jewish education, I began my professional career in St. Louis, serving as the Director of the Commission on Reform Jewish Education. While in St. Louis, I met and married my husband, Rabbi Jim Sagarin.

With no family in the area, we made our way north to be closer to my Wisconsin (Go Badgers!) family. I became the Director of Education at North Shore Congregation Israel in 1988 where I remained until joining the staff at Temple Beth Israel in 1995.

In the course of my tenure at Temple Beth Israel, I have led the schools through accreditation through the Association of Reform Jewish Educators. This is something about which I am very proud.

Our schools are dynamic and creative. We offer programs for all ages and all learning abilities. Our professional faculty works closely with me as we grow and develop a vast array of learning opportunities.

The schools are only part of my responsibility at Temple Beth Israel. As Director of Congregational Learning I work to bring a robust and diverse array of Adult Learning opportunities to our dedicated community of learners. I work with our affiliates and other groups to provide meaningful and inspiring learning for all.

My goal is to bring Jewish learning for Jewish living to you and your family in ways that meet your needs and enhance the life of your family. We had the pleasure of raising our two children in the TBI community, a place where they were nurtured and supported and became adults in the eyes of the Jewish community. I would love to help your family experience the values, support, and learning our community has to offer. Please do not hesitate to call on me at anytime to share ideas and to get to know the educational program at our congregation in a deeper way.

Contact Lori B. Sagarin

About Rabbi Weinberg

“In reflecting on my years of service as rabbi of Temple Beth Israel, it is tempting to look back with particular pride at some singular event or some unusual program. And there are many such events or programs to vie for honorable mention. But, in fact, I am most proud of the ongoing, steady, core program of our congregation and of my rabbinate: namely, to engage and involve Jews in active Jewish living; the study, worship, and community that provides a context and vocabulary of words and rituals, with which to express the deepest yearnings of our souls, cope with life’s challenges, rejoice in life’s gifts and, together, work to make the world a better place.”

Since Rabbi Michael Weinberg came to Temple Beth Israel in the summer of 1987, he has endeared himself to the entire congregation – touching the hearts, challenging the minds, and stirring the souls of young and old alike. Building on the foundation laid by his gifted predecessors, Rabbi Weinberg has distinguished himself as the principle teacher and spiritual leaders of our congregation. He brings deep knowledge of tradition and a profound love of Torah to his teaching in the classroom, from the pulpit, in meetings, in informal settings, on retreats, and on Israel trips. In addition to teaching, Rabbi Weinberg has worked closely with the lay and professional leadership of Temple Beth Israel and its affiliates, assisting, guiding, and inspiring in virtually every aspect of congregational life.

Born and raised on the south side of Chicago, Rabbi Weinberg is a graduate of the University of Chicago and was ordained by the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in 1980. Before coming to Temple Beth Israel, Rabbi Weinberg served for five years as Assistant Rabbi and Director of Education at Emanuel Congregation in Chicago and for two years as Rabbi of Sinai Temple in Michigan City, Indiana.

Rabbi Weinberg’s talents have been tapped by many organizations outside our synagogue. He has served in a leadership role in numerous local and national Jewish and inter-faith organizations. He has long been active on the faculty of the Olin-Sang-Ruby Union Institute camp with special attention to Chalutzim – OSRUI’s flagship intensive Hebrew immersion program. Currently Rabbi Weinberg is part of the Shalom Hartman Institute’s Rabbinic Leadership Initiative and serves as co-chair of the Rabbinic Action Committee of the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago.

Rabbi Weinberg is married to Jody Weinberg, a Learning Disabilities Specialist and active participant in the life of our congregation in her own right. Together they are proud parents of three children and exceedingly proud grandparents of seven wonderful grandchildren.