Rachel Drescher
Making a difference in the community is central to Rachel Drescher’s life. A role model for Chicago Jews, Rachel is involved in a number of programs and organizations positively impacting the lives of others. She chairs the Campfire Ball, a fundraiser benefiting Children's Oncology Services, Inc. raising money for children with cancer to attend One Step at a Time camp in Lake Geneva. She volunteers at the camp during the summer.
Rachel’s passion to make a difference extends to the Jewish community. As a member of North Shore Congregation Israel, she regularly meets with the synagogue’s group for aiding young professionals, Beyond and Back. Additionally, Rachel has been active member of the Anti-Defamation League in the past, participating in its Glass Leadership program, traveling to Germany in 2010 with other Jewish leaders.
When she’s not spending time with kids at camp or attending an ADL event, Rachel designs custom ketubahs for newlyweds.
Name:
Rachel Drescher
Age:
30
Pays the bills:
Senior Account Executive, Symmetri Marketing Group, LLC
On the side:
Volunteering, working out at Exhale and launching my custom ketubah business!
Relationship status:
Taken
Describe yourself in 10 words or less:
Driven, motivated, positive – I want my efforts to make a difference
Celebrity doppelganger:
This is such a hard one! Even though people tell me I look like someone they know all the time, I can't think of one.
How do you Jew in Chicago?
Most recently through starting my custom ketubah business. I started making them years ago for family and friends and through their urging began my business. It's such a unique way to express my Judaism and meet people during such an exciting and positive time in their life.
Passions:
Volunteering and raising money for Children's Oncology Services, Inc. and One Step at a Time Programs, I also serve as the Vice Chair on the Medical Research Junior Board at Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago.
How do you give back?
As many ways as I can! But the place I spend the most time and effort is as the chair of Campfire Ball (5 years and counting) benefitting One Step at a Time Camp for kids with cancer. This past year we raised $115,000 alone and will help send 115 kids to camp (we send 1 child for each $1000 raised). I have also been a volunteer camp counselor with One Step for the past seven years. It's truly the most meaningful and impactful experience of my life.
Fill in the blank: If time and money were limitless, I would:
Though volunteering at camp is the most amazing part of my year, I wish cancer was eradicated and programs like this didn't need to exist.
Chicago's Jewish community in 10 years:
I envision the next generation of leaders giving back and getting involved in causes that move them to make a difference. I spent a bit of time volunteering at my temple and it's so inspiring to see the next generation coming into their own and getting involved!
Me in 10 years:
Still finding ways to do good with organizations that move me and hopefully making a greater impact on my community and the world!
