Rabbi Charlene Brooks

Rabbi Charlene Brooks of Congregation Bene Shalom, in Skokie, IL., has been serving this congregation since 1996, over 25 as the Cantorial Soloist and music director. Upon Ordination, June of 2022, began serving here as the rabbi. This temple has been not only her spiritual home but that of her family. Rabbi Char’s husband Ken Clinkman has been the Executive Vice President for twenty-five years, and her two children, Zach and Rachel were practically raised there. 

Through these years, her passion for serving as an officiant for life cycle events, primarily funerals and weddings led her to enter the Hebrew Seminary, a Rabbinical School for the Deaf and Hearing program. Leading Shabbat, holiday, and Kabbalistic Services is now Rabbi Char’s focus.

Following what Rabbi Brooks feels is her calling, she has officiated at countless funerals for members and those unaffiliated as well. Contributing to the honoring of those who have passed away, is the sense of compassion and connection that is needed by those who grieving. So often the comment Rabbi has been told, is “Thank you, it feels as if you knew him”.

Since joining Congregation Bene Shalom, she has worked and studied alongside our beloved previous head Rabbi Douglas Goldhamer, and has created original songs for High Holidays and chants for many Kabbalistic meditations.

Leading services and holiday programs at CJE, the Council for the Jewish Elderly, and many Jewish community centers have been ongoing for over twenty years. In addition, Charlene Brooks has created many fundraising performances and events for Nationwide Holocaust Memorial Museums, and Yom Ha Shoah services honoring her Survivor parents.

What began as a career as a singer, Charlene Brooks is also a cabaret performer, writer, lyricist and actress, performing her one-woman shows combining her love of all types of music, around the country, including her original music in Hebrew and Yiddish.