Staff

Director of Early Childhood Education

Fern Katz

Fern Rappaport Katz has been with us since 2012. She has an extensive background in early childhood education and special education as both a teacher and an administrator. Fern holds a Bachelor of Science in Education from Northern Illinois University and a Master’s in Education from University of Illinois-Chicago, as well as an M.A. in Jewish Professional Studies from Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning and Leadership.

Before becoming Sinai’s Early Childhood Education Director, Fern was an early childhood director for the JCC of Chicago and early childhood education coordinator and instructor at Governors State University. She has also taught children with special needs as well as religious school in Illinois and New Jersey. 

Fern is past president of Early Childhood Educators of Reform Judaism and an active member of the Jewish Early Childhood Directors Council in Chicago. She was also active in the Chicago Early Engagement Leadership Initiative. Fern has led three schools (including Sinai Preschool) through the process of reaching accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). Fern’s article “Trust and Separation: God, Abraham, and Early Childhood Educators” was published in the Coalition for the Advancement of Jewish Education journal.

Fern finds joy in learning, teaching, and in Judaism, and believes we are all on a journey of exploration, discovery, and lifelong learning.

Director of Development

Daniel Rosenstein

Daniel Rosenstein joined Chicago Sinai as Director of Development in 2026. His connection to the community is deeply personal; having first visited as a guest, he was so moved by Sinai’s warm, welcoming, and open-minded spirit that he chose to become a member himself.

Daniel brings more than a decade of experience in community leadership and philanthropy. He began his career spending five years as a social studies and technology teacher before realizing he wanted to combine his love for education with fundraising to make a broader impact. Since then, he has guided organizations through major growth, helping them secure the vital resources needed to protect their futures and expand their reach.

For Daniel, fundraising is never just about numbers; it’s about people. He believes that every gift represents a donor’s personal story and shared vision for the community. He is passionate about inclusive leadership, ensuring that everyone feels invested in Sinai’s journey.

Outside of his professional life, Daniel is dedicated to community sustainability and personal well-being. He serves on several local boards and stays grounded through cycling, yoga, and exploring new cities. At home, he enjoys cooking healthy meals and tending to his plants, bringing the same nurturing care to his personal life that he does to his community partnerships. Daniel truly believes that communal strength begins with creating a deep sense of belonging for everyone exploring Jewish life.

Director of Finance

Eli Friedman

Marketing and Communications Manager

Emma Scintu

Emma Scintu is Chicago Sinai’s Marketing and Communications Manager and has been with us since 2021. Known for her commitment to ensuring that Sinai’s print and digital footprint remain at the highest level, Emma is resourceful, friendly, and always ready for any opportunity to help our congregants.

Emma holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and Creative Writing from the University of Iowa, with a minor in Communications. During college, Emma won a full scholarship to a summer residency at the New York State Summer Writers Institute hosted at Skidmore College, where she worked with authors such as Joyce Carol Oates and Frank Bidart.

Emma loves traveling and exploring new places or things, visiting art museums, experimenting with different cuisines, and snowboarding with friends. In her spare time, Emma is passionate about communications and creative writing, participating in writing workshops, or finding presses to submit her work for publication.