Chicago Innovation Hub

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Welcome!


Are you looking for Jewish clergy for your upcoming wedding or baby naming? Seeking help on your journey to conversion? If you’re looking for support with a lifecycle event or to find inclusive Jewish events and meet other interfaith couples at your life stage, we’re here to support you. We have non-judgmental staff to help guide and connect you and a wealth of experience in the 18Doors Chicago Innovation Hub.

We are thrilled to have Chicago Director Andy Kirschner and Rukin Rabbinic Fellow Rabbi Steven Philp to support you.

If you’re a Jewish professional, member of clergy, or layleader in Chicago, Andy Kirschner will be your primary contact at 18Doors. He hopes to learn from leaders like you about how to best support your efforts in making Chicago a community of belonging for all interfaith couples and families. You can contact Andy Kirschner at Andy@18Doors.org.

Rabbi Steven is also available for one-on-one consultations and to refer you to local Jewish clergy and organizations that welcome interfaith/intercultural couples and families. Contact him at chicago@18Doors.org 

Our Events


Thu 07

To Tree or Not to Tree: A December Discussion (National)-Online

December 7 @ 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm EST
18Doors is teaming up with Secular Synagogue's Rabbi Denise Handlarski, a rabbi in an interfaith marriage and author of “The A-Z of Intermarriage,” to discuss how interfaith couples approach December holidays. Come share how you do the holidays (or join us if you haven’t decided yet), and hear from other interfaith couples. We’ll light Hanukkah candles together and help couples and families lead with your values to create joyous and meaningful holidays.
Jan 11

In This Together: Navigating Your Interfaith Relationship in a Time of War (National)- Online

January 11, 2024 @ 8:00 pm - 9:00 pm EST
The outbreak of war in the Middle East has been shocking, scary and painful for many. Couples that come from different backgrounds may experience additional difficulty and challenge when processing and discussing this war. Join 18Doors, Rabbi Emily Hyatt and Jessica Moskowitz, LCSW, to discuss how the war is impacting you and your partner, while gaining skills to better communicate with and support one another.
Jan 23

You’re Welcoming A Baby! Naming and Rituals for Interfaith Parents (National)-Online

January 23, 2024 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm EST
Welcoming a baby into your life is such a joy and also comes with having to make a lot of decisions. For parents from different faith backgrounds, the decisions can be difficult to make. Do you have a baby naming ceremony, a bris (ritual circumcision) and/or some other ritual to welcome your baby into your family? Join Rabbi Simone Schicker who will share with expectant parents the different welcoming ceremonies and rituals interfaith couples may choose to have.
Andy Kirschner

Meet Andy Kirschner – Chicago Director

Chicago Director Andy Kirschner has combined coaching, facilitation, user centered design and even improv comedy to engage thousands of constituents so they connect more deeply to the missions of the organizations they serve. He sees the work of 18Doors as an extension of the bridge-building work that he has done for more than 20 years as a volunteer and professional in the nonprofit sector. His background includes sales, career counseling, business development, fundraising, social entrepreneurship, consulting, coaching, community organizing, and interfaith programing. Most recently, he served as the Director of Community Engagement at Chicago’s oldest synagogue, KAM Isaiah Israel. Andy has an Executive Masters of Jewish Professional Studies from Spertus Institute.

Andy lives just outside Chicago in Oak Park with his wife, Rose, and two kids, John and Ellie. Outside of work he enjoys backyard BBQs, running, exploring kid-friendly spaces around the city and traveling with family. He is a member of the Chicago Advisory Council for the One America Movement, an organization working to build a united American society by eliminating toxic polarization. He is also an involved member of West Suburban Temple Har Zion and teaches at their religious school. Contact him at Andy@18Doors.org.

Meet Rabbi Steven Philp – Rukin Rabbinic Fellow

Steven Philp is an Associate Rabbi at Mishkan Chicago. He was ordained by the Jewish Theological Seminary where he was a Wexner Graduate Fellow. Steven earned an M.St. in Jewish Studies from the University of Oxford and an M.Div. and M.S.W. from the University of Chicago. Steven grew up in California and Hawaii, as a Roman Catholic with a strong Protestant heritage. He became passionate about interfaith work while in college, a path that eventually led him to convert to Judaism. Steven is excited to work with 18Doors, helping others find communities that affirm their whole selves. He currently lives in Boystown with his cat Miso. Contact him at rabbistevenphilp@18doors.org.