Jewish Chicago Magazine
Jessie Goldberg
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For Jessie Goldberg, leadership looks like consistency, positivity, and follow-through.
A JUF Young Leadership Division (YLD) Board Member and the 2025-26 External Vice President, Jessie is deeply involved across Chicago with YLD, Silverstein Base Chicago, Windy City Minyan, Moishe Houses, and Anshe Emet Synagogue’s Rose Crown Minyan. During the day, she is a transportation strategy analyst at Grainger, and her hard work has led to her moving up within the company.
When Jessie noticed that YLD did not have a monthly calendar, she created one to help keep the community connected and organized. As an All-Star Volunteer at JUF Uptown Cafe, a Repair the World Advisory Council member, and a Committee for Hillel and Next Gen Engagement member, she knows how to give back through service—and how to encourage her peers to do the same.
A Herzl Camp alum, Jessie treasures celebrating Shabbat. When it’s warm, you will be able to find her bringing friends together for Shabbat gatherings by the lake.
As her peer put it: Jessie is “constantly showing up and making a difference.”
Age: 27
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Primary gig: Transportation Strategy Sr. Analyst at Grainger
On the side: Volunteering, YLD activities, running, cooking, community building
How do you give back? I enjoy volunteering through YLD events, Base Hillel events, supporting friends’ volunteer events, and coordinating group volunteer events at Uptown Cafe. When I go to any Jewish Chicago event, I am welcoming and aim to connect friends with each other to build a positive and enjoyable Jewish community.
Describe yourself in 10 words or less: Bubbly, kind, welcoming, and always finding herself outside.
Your best piece of advice: Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass; it’s about learning to dance in the rain.
Something most people don’t know about you: I love to read and be outside! Most evenings in the summer are spent with friends picnicking by the lake, eating ice cream, or enjoying the Wednesday and Saturday night fireworks from a rooftop. My favorite trips include some element of hiking or outdoor adventure and my preferred wind-down activity is curling up on my couch to read my book.