About Our Shul

Rabbi Leonard A. Matanky

Rabbi Leonard A. Matanky has served as the Rabbi of Congregation K.I.N.S. of West Rogers Park since 1994, and Dean of Ida Crown Jewish Academy since 1995. A native Chicagoan, he was ordained and received a Masters degree in Religious Education in 1981 from the Hebrew Theological College, a Masters degree in Educational Administration from Loyola University in 1982, and a Ph.D. from the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, New York University, in 1989. 

Currently serving as co-president of the Religious Zionists of America, co-Chair of JUF’s Rabbinic Action Committee and Chairman of the Kashruth Commission of the Chicago Rabbinical Council, Rabbi Matanky is also a past president of the Rabbinical Council of America and the Chicago Rabbinical Council. Rabbi Matanky is the associate editor of the new RCA siddur, “Avodat HaLev,” (2018), the editor of a forthcoming Koren Siddur for the House of Mourning, and the author of numerous articles including his most recent “To Represent and to Inspire: The Role of a Sheliach Tzibbur,” in Ennoble and Enable: Essays in Honor of Richard M. Joel (2018).

Rabbi Matanky is married to Margaret (Novick), and the father of seven children, Yaakov, z”l, Chani (Rabbi Yehuda) Isenberg, Raanana (Reuven) Stein, Shoshana (Benjamin) Neikrug, Yitzchak (Aviva), Avi (Sarah) and Elisheva (Sammy) Gershon; and the grandfather of nineteen.

Rabbi Yechiel Bresler

Rabbi Yechiel Bresler grew up in St. Louis where he attended local day schools and yeshiva high school.

After high school he studied at Yeshivat Sha’alvim for two years and then was a student at Yeshiva University, where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in accounting, and received semicha from its Rabbi Isaac Elchonon Theological Seminary (RIETS) and was awarded a Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling from the Ferkauf School of Psychology.

Prior to coming to Chicago, Rabbi Bresler was a rebbe and guidance counselor in both MTA (YUHSB) and TABC, two prominent Modern Orthodox boy's high schools in the New York area. Rabbi Bresler also served as  rabbinic intern at Congregation Rinat Yisrael in Teaneck, NJ and together with his wife, Davina, they were OU-JLIC fellows at Rutgers University, where they led programming for students and learned first-hand about Jewish life on campus. 

Rabbi Bresler and Davina are the proud parents of two sons Tani and Tzachi. The Breslers are honored and excited to join our K.I.N.S. community and hope to bring their enthusiasm for Jewish community and Jewish living to synagogue!

In addition to his devotion to family and Jewish community, Rabbi Bresler is a lifelong Cardinals fan - which should make for interesting "opportunities" in Chicago!

Rabbi Aaron Liebtag

Rabbi Aaron Leibtag serves as Associate Rabbi of Congregation KINS.   Previously, Rabbi Leibtag was the Rabbi of Congregation Kehillath Jacob Beth Samuel (KJBS) in Lincolnwood/Peterson Park for 12 years. 

Originally from Baltimore, Maryland, Rabbi Leibtag attended Yeshivat Shaalvim, received Semicha from Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Seminary of Yeshiva University while simultaneously earning a Masters of Education from the Azrieli School of Education and Administration.  He served as Rabbinic Intern at Congregation AABJ&D in West Orange and at Keter Torah in Teaneck.  Following his position in Teaneck, Rabbi Leibtag was selected to be part of the first cohort of Kollel Fellows  at the Yeshiva University Torah Mitzion Kollel in Chicago, where he spent time both learning and teaching throughout the community. 

In August 2009, Rabbi Leibtag assumed the position of Rabbi at KJBS in Peterson Park and Lincolnwood.  In his position, he oversaw education and programming for both youths and adults and worked to create a vibrant and energetic atmosphere through the various shiurim, programs and events he facilitated in the Shul.  Rabbi Leibtag is also a Middle School Gemara Rebbe and 8th Grade Boys Advisor at Hillel Torah North Suburban Day School where he oversees the Talmud and Dinim curriculums and is involved with the spiritual and Ruach programming for the entire middle school.  Rabbi Leibtag is the recipient of the ATT Hartman Educator of the Year award and maintains close relationships with his students long after they have left his classroom.  Rabbi Leibtag is a member of the RCA Executive Committee; Treasurer of the cRc (Chicago Rabbinical Council) and sits on the Geirus Commision of the cRc.   

Ayelet (nee Feinberg) is a native of Queens, attended Stern College, received her RN degree from Beth Israel School of Nursing and is a Kallah teacher.  They have an open home and enjoy hosting Friday night tisches, youth onegs, teen learning and much more.  They have 6 children: Akiva (16), Naftali (14), Sruli (14), Daniel (12), Azi (8) and Miriam (5).