Chicago Jewish Historical Society
@cjhs1977.bsky.social
The mission of the Society is the discovery, documentation, and sharing of the history of the Jewish community in the Chicago area.
http://www.chicagojewishhistory.org/
http://www.chicagojewishhistory.org/
We hope to see you on Sunday, December 7 at a free program about the history of The Ark, featuring a panel of Ark staff members and leaders, a tour of the Ark's beautiful new building, and refreshments.
Register: arkchicago.org/cjhs/
Questions? info@chicagojewishistory.org
Register: arkchicago.org/cjhs/
Questions? info@chicagojewishistory.org
November 26, 2025 at 9:44 PM
We hope to see you on Sunday, December 7 at a free program about the history of The Ark, featuring a panel of Ark staff members and leaders, a tour of the Ark's beautiful new building, and refreshments.
Register: arkchicago.org/cjhs/
Questions? info@chicagojewishistory.org
Register: arkchicago.org/cjhs/
Questions? info@chicagojewishistory.org
HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO OUR MEMBERS AND FRIENDS!
November 26, 2025 at 9:40 PM
HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO OUR MEMBERS AND FRIENDS!
"American synagogues are closing at a record rate. This retired judge is rescuing their stained glass windows."
forward.com/news/779236/...
forward.com/news/779236/...
American synagogues are closing at a record rate. This retired judge is rescuing their stained glass windows.
Jerry Orbach is rescuing stained glass from closed synagogues — giving the windows, and the communities they once illuminated, a second life.
forward.com
November 3, 2025 at 8:11 PM
"American synagogues are closing at a record rate. This retired judge is rescuing their stained glass windows."
forward.com/news/779236/...
forward.com/news/779236/...
***Community Event***
Mah Tovu Congregation
7315 N. Western Ave. Chicago
Presents Kristallnacht Lecture 2025/ 5786
Professor Pamela Nadell
Topic: "Antisemitism: An American Tradition"
Sunday, November 9th, 7-8:30pm
Ma’ariv follows.
Please RSVP to
johnsto1@uic.edu
Mah Tovu Congregation
7315 N. Western Ave. Chicago
Presents Kristallnacht Lecture 2025/ 5786
Professor Pamela Nadell
Topic: "Antisemitism: An American Tradition"
Sunday, November 9th, 7-8:30pm
Ma’ariv follows.
Please RSVP to
johnsto1@uic.edu
October 29, 2025 at 4:30 PM
***Community Event***
Mah Tovu Congregation
7315 N. Western Ave. Chicago
Presents Kristallnacht Lecture 2025/ 5786
Professor Pamela Nadell
Topic: "Antisemitism: An American Tradition"
Sunday, November 9th, 7-8:30pm
Ma’ariv follows.
Please RSVP to
johnsto1@uic.edu
Mah Tovu Congregation
7315 N. Western Ave. Chicago
Presents Kristallnacht Lecture 2025/ 5786
Professor Pamela Nadell
Topic: "Antisemitism: An American Tradition"
Sunday, November 9th, 7-8:30pm
Ma’ariv follows.
Please RSVP to
johnsto1@uic.edu
***Illinois Statehood Day 2025 Set For December 3rd***
Join us for a full day of Illinois History!
Statehood Day 2025 will be held at the Inn at 835 in Springfield.
Tickets can be reserved/purchased at ilstatehoodday2025.eventbrite.com or by calling the office at 217-525-2781, ext. 2.
Join us for a full day of Illinois History!
Statehood Day 2025 will be held at the Inn at 835 in Springfield.
Tickets can be reserved/purchased at ilstatehoodday2025.eventbrite.com or by calling the office at 217-525-2781, ext. 2.
October 16, 2025 at 11:28 PM
***Illinois Statehood Day 2025 Set For December 3rd***
Join us for a full day of Illinois History!
Statehood Day 2025 will be held at the Inn at 835 in Springfield.
Tickets can be reserved/purchased at ilstatehoodday2025.eventbrite.com or by calling the office at 217-525-2781, ext. 2.
Join us for a full day of Illinois History!
Statehood Day 2025 will be held at the Inn at 835 in Springfield.
Tickets can be reserved/purchased at ilstatehoodday2025.eventbrite.com or by calling the office at 217-525-2781, ext. 2.
***Program of interest - the history of an iconic Jewish hardware store***
One of our partner organizations, the Rogers Park/West Ridge Historical Society, is presenting a program of interest to the Chicago Jewish community.
Information and registration:
rpwrhs.org/program/neig...
One of our partner organizations, the Rogers Park/West Ridge Historical Society, is presenting a program of interest to the Chicago Jewish community.
Information and registration:
rpwrhs.org/program/neig...
Neighborhood Icon, Community Treasure: The Story of Clark-Devon Hardware - Rogers Park/West Ridge Historical Society
The iconic Clark-Devon Hardware clock is a neighborhood landmark, marking the corner where Bernie Walchak began the business a century ago. Join his grandson, Ken Walchak to hear the story.
rpwrhs.org
October 13, 2025 at 4:58 PM
***Program of interest - the history of an iconic Jewish hardware store***
One of our partner organizations, the Rogers Park/West Ridge Historical Society, is presenting a program of interest to the Chicago Jewish community.
Information and registration:
rpwrhs.org/program/neig...
One of our partner organizations, the Rogers Park/West Ridge Historical Society, is presenting a program of interest to the Chicago Jewish community.
Information and registration:
rpwrhs.org/program/neig...
Chicago Jewish Historical Society editor Robert Nagler Miller has a book review in the September 2025 issue of Hadassah Magazine:
www.hadassahmagazine.org/2025/09/05/r...
www.hadassahmagazine.org/2025/09/05/r...
www.hadassahmagazine.org
September 19, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Chicago Jewish Historical Society editor Robert Nagler Miller has a book review in the September 2025 issue of Hadassah Magazine:
www.hadassahmagazine.org/2025/09/05/r...
www.hadassahmagazine.org/2025/09/05/r...
We extend warm wishes to all our members and friends for a wonderful Rosh Hashanah - Jewish New Year 5786 - and a year of peace, good health, sweetness, and happiness.
September 19, 2025 at 6:58 PM
We extend warm wishes to all our members and friends for a wonderful Rosh Hashanah - Jewish New Year 5786 - and a year of peace, good health, sweetness, and happiness.
Open House Chicago is coming up on October 18th and 19th.
There are many historic Jewish sites featured this year.
www.architecture.org/open-house-c...
There are many historic Jewish sites featured this year.
www.architecture.org/open-house-c...
Open House Chicago
www.architecture.org
September 18, 2025 at 6:22 AM
Open House Chicago is coming up on October 18th and 19th.
There are many historic Jewish sites featured this year.
www.architecture.org/open-house-c...
There are many historic Jewish sites featured this year.
www.architecture.org/open-house-c...
***Printers Row Lit Fest this weekend, September 6-7***
THIS WEEKEND
40th Annual Printers Row Lit Fest
The 2025 Printers Row Lit Fest is set for Saturday, September 6 & Sunday, September 7, 10AM – 6PM. Come Rain or Shine!
printersrowlitfest.org?fbclid=IwdGR...
THIS WEEKEND
40th Annual Printers Row Lit Fest
The 2025 Printers Row Lit Fest is set for Saturday, September 6 & Sunday, September 7, 10AM – 6PM. Come Rain or Shine!
printersrowlitfest.org?fbclid=IwdGR...
Printers Row Lit Fest
The 40th Annual Printers Row Lit Fest, the largest free outdoor literary event in the Midwest, returns to Printers Row on September 6-7, 2025.
printersrowlitfest.org
September 2, 2025 at 10:45 PM
***Printers Row Lit Fest this weekend, September 6-7***
THIS WEEKEND
40th Annual Printers Row Lit Fest
The 2025 Printers Row Lit Fest is set for Saturday, September 6 & Sunday, September 7, 10AM – 6PM. Come Rain or Shine!
printersrowlitfest.org?fbclid=IwdGR...
THIS WEEKEND
40th Annual Printers Row Lit Fest
The 2025 Printers Row Lit Fest is set for Saturday, September 6 & Sunday, September 7, 10AM – 6PM. Come Rain or Shine!
printersrowlitfest.org?fbclid=IwdGR...
Jewish book month is coming up in November!
The next issue of our quarterly journal, Chicago Jewish History, to be published in November, will be our annual Book Issue.
Join the Chicago Jewish Historical Society now and subscribe:
chicagojewishhistory.org/membership/m...
The next issue of our quarterly journal, Chicago Jewish History, to be published in November, will be our annual Book Issue.
Join the Chicago Jewish Historical Society now and subscribe:
chicagojewishhistory.org/membership/m...
Membership - The Chicago Jewish Historical Society
chicagojewishhistory.org
September 2, 2025 at 10:44 PM
Jewish book month is coming up in November!
The next issue of our quarterly journal, Chicago Jewish History, to be published in November, will be our annual Book Issue.
Join the Chicago Jewish Historical Society now and subscribe:
chicagojewishhistory.org/membership/m...
The next issue of our quarterly journal, Chicago Jewish History, to be published in November, will be our annual Book Issue.
Join the Chicago Jewish Historical Society now and subscribe:
chicagojewishhistory.org/membership/m...
***The digital version of the Summer Issue of our quarterly journal, Chicago Jewish History, is available with color images.***
For a livelier reading experience, read the issue with the color images.
chicagojewishhistory.org/media/2791/9...
For a livelier reading experience, read the issue with the color images.
chicagojewishhistory.org/media/2791/9...
chicagojewishhistory.org
August 28, 2025 at 6:32 PM
***The digital version of the Summer Issue of our quarterly journal, Chicago Jewish History, is available with color images.***
For a livelier reading experience, read the issue with the color images.
chicagojewishhistory.org/media/2791/9...
For a livelier reading experience, read the issue with the color images.
chicagojewishhistory.org/media/2791/9...
***Upcoming program: "Rosenwald: The Remarkable Story of a Jewish Partnership with African American Communities"***
Monday, September 8, 2025
8:00 pm ET | 7:00 pm CT/Chicago Time
Zoom
Learn more and register here: wrj.org/calendar/ros...
Monday, September 8, 2025
8:00 pm ET | 7:00 pm CT/Chicago Time
Zoom
Learn more and register here: wrj.org/calendar/ros...
August 25, 2025 at 6:09 PM
***Upcoming program: "Rosenwald: The Remarkable Story of a Jewish Partnership with African American Communities"***
Monday, September 8, 2025
8:00 pm ET | 7:00 pm CT/Chicago Time
Zoom
Learn more and register here: wrj.org/calendar/ros...
Monday, September 8, 2025
8:00 pm ET | 7:00 pm CT/Chicago Time
Zoom
Learn more and register here: wrj.org/calendar/ros...
The Summer 2025 issue of Chicago Jewish History, published by the Chicago Jewish HIstorical Society (CJHS), is available online!
chicagojewishhistory.org/publications...
chicagojewishhistory.org/publications...
August 21, 2025 at 5:57 PM
The Summer 2025 issue of Chicago Jewish History, published by the Chicago Jewish HIstorical Society (CJHS), is available online!
chicagojewishhistory.org/publications...
chicagojewishhistory.org/publications...
This is our beautiful logo, created by artist and founding CJHS member Roseann Chasman, z"l.
The title's biblical quote is from the prophetic reading that accompanies Eikev (Deuternomy 7:12 - 11:25), the Torah portion that was read in synagogues today, August 16, 2025.
The title's biblical quote is from the prophetic reading that accompanies Eikev (Deuternomy 7:12 - 11:25), the Torah portion that was read in synagogues today, August 16, 2025.
August 17, 2025 at 4:31 AM
This is our beautiful logo, created by artist and founding CJHS member Roseann Chasman, z"l.
The title's biblical quote is from the prophetic reading that accompanies Eikev (Deuternomy 7:12 - 11:25), the Torah portion that was read in synagogues today, August 16, 2025.
The title's biblical quote is from the prophetic reading that accompanies Eikev (Deuternomy 7:12 - 11:25), the Torah portion that was read in synagogues today, August 16, 2025.
***Robert's Fish Market (kosher) is Reopening***
Read this report about the store:
blockclubchicago.org/2025/06/30/r...
Read this report about the store:
blockclubchicago.org/2025/06/30/r...
Robert's Fish Market Reopening In West Ridge After Owner's Battle With Serious Illness
Owner Arturo Venegas was hospitalized for several months after being diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome. He’s reopening the shop Tuesday after temporarily closing it last summer.
blockclubchicago.org
July 1, 2025 at 5:29 AM
***Robert's Fish Market (kosher) is Reopening***
Read this report about the store:
blockclubchicago.org/2025/06/30/r...
Read this report about the store:
blockclubchicago.org/2025/06/30/r...
Congregation Shaare Tikvah, organized in 1947.
-Synagogue building at 5800 N. Kimball.
-Rabbi: Morris Gutstein.
-Merged with B'nai Zion (founded in Rogers Park) in 2002. Combined congregation closed in 2014.
www.flickr.com/photos/zol87...
-Synagogue building at 5800 N. Kimball.
-Rabbi: Morris Gutstein.
-Merged with B'nai Zion (founded in Rogers Park) in 2002. Combined congregation closed in 2014.
www.flickr.com/photos/zol87...
Congregation Shaare Tikvah
5800 N Kimball Ave Chicago, IL 60659 www.stbzsynagogue.squarespace.com
www.flickr.com
June 18, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Congregation Shaare Tikvah, organized in 1947.
-Synagogue building at 5800 N. Kimball.
-Rabbi: Morris Gutstein.
-Merged with B'nai Zion (founded in Rogers Park) in 2002. Combined congregation closed in 2014.
www.flickr.com/photos/zol87...
-Synagogue building at 5800 N. Kimball.
-Rabbi: Morris Gutstein.
-Merged with B'nai Zion (founded in Rogers Park) in 2002. Combined congregation closed in 2014.
www.flickr.com/photos/zol87...
Please see the below photos of our May 27 Rosenwald program, "From Sears to Eternity," co-hosted with the Jewish Neighborhood Development Council of Chicago at the Skokie Library.
June 6, 2025 at 5:40 PM
Please see the below photos of our May 27 Rosenwald program, "From Sears to Eternity," co-hosted with the Jewish Neighborhood Development Council of Chicago at the Skokie Library.
The Greater Chicago Jewish Festival is this Sunday!
Visit the Chicago Jewish Historical Society table in the Green tent. We would love to meet you!
Visit the Chicago Jewish Historical Society table in the Green tent. We would love to meet you!
June 6, 2025 at 4:53 AM
The Greater Chicago Jewish Festival is this Sunday!
Visit the Chicago Jewish Historical Society table in the Green tent. We would love to meet you!
Visit the Chicago Jewish Historical Society table in the Green tent. We would love to meet you!
Reposted by Chicago Jewish Historical Society
If you build it, they will schlep.
New article in Forward: "A Jewish farmer drove 600 miles to rescue a century-old synagogue. Now he’s building a new one in a cornfield."
forward.com/news/725026/...
forward.com/news/725026/...
A Jewish farmer drove 600 miles to rescue a century-old synagogue. Now he’s building a new one in a cornfield.
Nik Jakobs, a farmer from Sterling, Illinois, is building Temple Sholom with pieces from Temple B’nai Israel in White Oak, Pennsylvania.
forward.com
June 5, 2025 at 10:56 PM
If you build it, they will schlep.
New article in Forward: "A Jewish farmer drove 600 miles to rescue a century-old synagogue. Now he’s building a new one in a cornfield."
forward.com/news/725026/...
forward.com/news/725026/...
A Jewish farmer drove 600 miles to rescue a century-old synagogue. Now he’s building a new one in a cornfield.
Nik Jakobs, a farmer from Sterling, Illinois, is building Temple Sholom with pieces from Temple B’nai Israel in White Oak, Pennsylvania.
forward.com
June 5, 2025 at 10:53 PM
New article in Forward: "A Jewish farmer drove 600 miles to rescue a century-old synagogue. Now he’s building a new one in a cornfield."
forward.com/news/725026/...
forward.com/news/725026/...
New article in Jewish Chicago:
"End of an era: George Van Dusen retires after 26 years as Skokie mayor"
www.juf.org/Mag/tmpl-art...
"End of an era: George Van Dusen retires after 26 years as Skokie mayor"
www.juf.org/Mag/tmpl-art...
End of an era | Jewish Chicago (The JUF Magazine) @ Jewish United Fund
 
George Van Dusen retires after 26 years as Skokie mayor  
 
www.juf.org
June 5, 2025 at 6:32 PM
New article in Jewish Chicago:
"End of an era: George Van Dusen retires after 26 years as Skokie mayor"
www.juf.org/Mag/tmpl-art...
"End of an era: George Van Dusen retires after 26 years as Skokie mayor"
www.juf.org/Mag/tmpl-art...
Reposted by Chicago Jewish Historical Society
"From Sears to Eternity"
I'm kvelling. No notes.
I'm kvelling. No notes.
June 4, 2025 at 9:50 PM
"From Sears to Eternity"
I'm kvelling. No notes.
I'm kvelling. No notes.
Check out this new article by Chicago Jewish History editor Robert Nagler Miller: "The graduates: Two generations, one ceremony"
www.juf.org/Mag/tmpl-art...
www.juf.org/Mag/tmpl-art...
The graduates | Jewish Chicago (The JUF Magazine) @ Jewish United Fund
Two generations, one ceremony
www.juf.org
June 4, 2025 at 5:28 PM
Check out this new article by Chicago Jewish History editor Robert Nagler Miller: "The graduates: Two generations, one ceremony"
www.juf.org/Mag/tmpl-art...
www.juf.org/Mag/tmpl-art...
The spring 2025 issue of our journal, Chicago Jewish History, is now online!
www.chicagojewishhistory.org/publications...
www.chicagojewishhistory.org/publications...
Current Journal - The Chicago Jewish Historical Society
www.chicagojewishhistory.org
May 23, 2025 at 8:09 PM
The spring 2025 issue of our journal, Chicago Jewish History, is now online!
www.chicagojewishhistory.org/publications...
www.chicagojewishhistory.org/publications...