Rabbi Vernon Kurtz is the Rabbi of North Suburban Synagogue Beth El in Highland Park, Illinois, an 1100 family Conservative congregation. He was born in Toronto, Canada, received his B.A. from York University, his M.A. and Rabbinic Ordination from the Jewish Theological Seminary and his Doctor of Ministry degree from Chicago Theological Seminary. He also received a Doctor of Divinity degree (Honoris Causa) from the Jewish Theological Seminary.

Rabbi Kurtz currently serves as President of MERCAZ USA and MERCAZ OLAMI. He is a member of the Board of the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago and serves as its vice-chairman. He is a past president of the Rabbinical Assembly, and is currently a member of its Committee on Jewish Law and Standards. Currently he serves as a member of the President’s Conference and the Leadership Council of Conservative Judaism.

Rabbi Kurtz has served in leadership positions in the areas of Jewish communal and interfaith activities. He has been President of the Chicago Board of Rabbis, Chairman of the UJA Rabbinic Cabinet and President of the Council of Religious Leaders of Metropolitan Chicago. Rabbi Kurtz is the recipient of the Rabbinic Award, Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago, Council of Jewish Federations (1984 and 1995); the Young Leadership Award, (1985); Jerusalem Covenant Award, Bonds (1996); and the Rabbi Simon Greenberg Rabbinic Achievement Award, The Jewish Theological Seminary (1998). Rabbi Kurtz has served as Adjunct Assistant Professor of Rabbinic Literature, Spertus Institute and Adjunct Lecturer in Jewish Studies, The Chicago Theological Seminary. Currently he is a monthly Torah commentator for the Chicago Jewish News. He has authored teshuvot for the Law Committee, and has published articles in many periodicals and books.

Rabbi Kurtz served as a Board Member since June 2005 through June 2011. Since than he serves as an Associate Member. From October 2002 since than he served as a Committee Member. Currently he serves as the Deputy Chair of teh Russian Speaking Jewry Committee. .