Our Team
The dedicated people behind L'Chaim Center in Deerfield, IL — serving the North Shore Jewish community.
Rabbi David Begoun
Founder
After a career in journalism — including serving as European correspondent covering the war in Yugoslavia — Rabbi David found his calling in Jewish education. He founded L'Chaim Center on the North Shore and spent years making Jewish thought accessible through his insightful teaching, sharp humor, and genuine warmth, attracting hundreds of students. In 2021, Rabbi David and his wife Ali fulfilled a lifelong dream and made Aliyah to Jerusalem, where they continue to inspire from Israel.
Talya Mayefsky
Senior Lecturer
Talya is a senior lecturer at L'Chaim Center, bringing passion and depth to her teaching. She makes complex Jewish ideas accessible and engaging, inspiring learners at every level with her warmth and insight.
Margo Berkovits
Director of Operations
Margo is in charge of operations and the day-to-day at L'Chaim Center. She keeps everything running smoothly behind the scenes, ensuring every program, event, and detail is taken care of with precision and heart.
Debbie Kamensky
Director of Programming
Debbie is in charge of programming at L'Chaim Center. She comes up with incredible ideas for classes, events, and experiences — and makes sure every single one of them works beautifully for our community.
Judie Begoun
Senior Advisor & Canasta Instructor
Judie is the mother of Rabbi David Begoun and a beloved senior advisor at L'Chaim Center. She also leads our Canasta group, bringing people together around the card table with warmth, laughter, and a competitive spirit.
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Our Volunteers
Most importantly, our community is made up of incredible lay volunteers who dedicate their time and energy to make L'Chaim the amazing place it is. From setting up for Shabbat to organizing events, our volunteers are the heartbeat of everything we do.
Want to get involved?
Join Our Team