Judaica Specialist
Maxine Segal Handelman is an engaging Jewish educator passionate about creating pathways to Jewish life and community, especially for families with young children. She has engaged families at Anshe Emet Synagogue in Chicago and at a plethora of settings across the country, including Chicago Jewish Day School.
A captivating storyteller for audiences of all ages, Max has mesmerized people with stories on Shabbatons and weddings, at camp and in classrooms, at retreats, and of course, at Tot Shabbat. Max bakes a mean challah, and she is passionate about chocolate. Max is a 2020 recipient of the esteemed Covenant Award for Jewish Educators.
Max holds an M.A. in Jewish Education from the Rhea Hirsch School of Education of the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, and an M.A. in Early Childhood Education from Pacific Oaks College. She holds both the titles of Reform Jewish Educator (RJE), and Conservative Jewish Educator (CJE). Max is the author of Jewish Every Day: The Complete Handbook for Early Childhood Teachers (2000), The Shabbat Angels (2003) and What’s Jewish About Butterflies (2004).
Max has two young adult daughters and lives near Wrigley Field with her husband Jacob.
