Skokie Coach Attends Model Passover Seder With Gov. Bruce Rauner

SKOKIE, IL — A Skokie man who saved the life of a student during a basketball game was honored by Governor Bruce Rauner as one of the guests at a model Passover Seder Friday. Rabbi Avraham Kagan of Chabad of Illinois conducted the Seder, which also featured Jewish student leaders from the University of Illinois.

Steven Greenberg was in the stands watching a basketball game last December between Ida Crown Jewish Academy and Lutheran North at the Ida Crown gym in Skokie when a 15-year-old player from Lutheran North collapsed onto the bench.

Greenberg, an assistant baseball coach at Ida Crown, wasted no time. He quickly got the school's defibrillator and shocked the student, restarting his heart and saving his life. Rauner hailed his tremendous heroism and courage.

"Your service to the students and players at Ida Crown Jewish Academy is a testament to your character and serves as an example for the people of Illinois," Rauner told Greenberg. "We are proud to have brave men and women like you represent the state."

Friday's Model Seder was the first official event hosted at the Agriculture Director’s House on the Illinois State Fairgrounds while the Illinois Executive Mansion is closed for renovations. The Rauners look forward to continuing the tradition at the Executive Mansion once renovations are complete in 2018.

“Passover is a time for us all to come together and celebrate the rich Jewish culture and heritage,” Rauner said. “I am honored to join the Jewish community in celebrating Passover this year and reaffirming our commitment to the values of freedom, tolerance and human rights for all."

This was the third year Governor Rauner has hosted a model Seder. He and First Lady Diana Rauner restarted the tradition of hosting a model Seder at the executive mansion in 2015 after it had been abandoned for previous years.

» Video of the portions of the event