Adult Education, Lectures, Seminars

* Listings with an asterisk are part of the JUF/JF partnership of agencies serving the Chicago and worldwide Jewish community.

A Taste of Judaism

Union for Reform Judaism
Phone: (872) 256-1818
Email: jbwasserman@urj.org
URL: http://www.reformjudaism.org/tasteil
Contact: Joy Wasserman

Curious about Judaism? A Taste of Judaism is designed for you. These three free weekly sessions focus on the modern Jewish take on spirituality, values, and community. Sessions are dynamic and interactive; the teachers are engaging and accessible and are open to all of your questions and concerns. Whether you are simply curious about Judaism or are looking to take your next steps on your Jewish journey, you have come to the right place! All are welcome. Program offered at several locations across Chicago and suburbs in the fall, winter, and spring.

BJE Chicago JTeach.org *

3320 Dundee Road
Northbrook
IL
60062
Phone: 847-291-7788 , 1305
URL: http://www.jteach.org
Contact: Linda Sonin, Director

JTeach.org, BJE Chicago's online resource center, provides web access to our extensive collection of custom-crafted Jewish activities and lessons that promote collaboration, critical thinking, communication and creativity. Our powerful teaching materials help educators worldwide to bring the richness of Jewish thought and practice to their students.

BJE Chicago Melton School *

Center for Adult Jewish Education
3320 Dundee Road
Northbrook
IL
60062
Phone: 847-291-7788
Fax: 847-291-7792
Email: rolly@bjechicago.org
URL: http://www.bjechicago.org
Contact: Rolly S. Cohen, Melton Director; Merle Tovian, Assistant Melton Director; Renee Kaplan, Administrator

It's All About Relevancy! Come experience a Melton class and see for yourself what high-quality, meaningful adult Jewish education is all about. Discover a world-class curriculum created by scholars at Hebrew University that gives you a chance to explore Jewish thought and text with an outstanding faculty and a wonderful learning community.  

Chicago Center for Torah & Chesed

6557 N Lincoln Ave
Lincolnwood
IL
60712
Phone: (773) 761-4005
Fax: (773) 761-7603
Email: office@thechicagocenter.org
URL: http://www.thechicagocenter.org
Contact: Rabbi Tzvi Bider

Assistance and services to the community.

Chicago Community Kollel

6506 N. California Ave.
Chicago
IL
60645
Phone: (773) 262-9400
Fax: (773) 262-7866
Email: cckollel@cckollel.org
URL: http://www.cckollel.org

Adult education classes for men and women throughout greater Chicago.

Chicago Jewish Historical Society

610 S. Michigan Ave.
Room 803
Chicago
IL
60605-1901
Phone: (312) 663-5634
Email: info@chicagojewishhistory.org
URL: http://www.chicagojewishhistory.org
Contact: Dr. Rachelle Gold, co-president; Jerry Levin, co-president

Historical material on Chicago Jewry; sponsors public programs; tours of Jewish historic sites; quarterly journal.

Chicago Torah Network

2832 W. Touhy Ave.
Chicago
IL
60645
Phone: (773) 761-0400
Fax: (773) 761-9262
Email: info@torahnetwork.org
URL: http://www.torahnetwork.org
Contact: Rabbi Moshe Katz

Classes, seminars, prayer services, torah study, and weekly publication of the torah portion.

Community Service Division *

Hebrew Theological College
7135 N. Carpenter Road
Skokie
IL
60077
Phone: (847) 982-2500
Email: htc@htc.edu
URL: http://www.htc.edu

Adult education for Jewish men and women.

Introduction to Judaism

Union for Reform Judaism
Phone: (872) 256-1818
Email: jbwasserman@urj.org
URL: http://www.reformjudaism.org/learning
Contact: Joy Wasserman

An 18-week program designed for individuals and couples from Jewish and various other faith backgrounds who want to explore Jewish holidays and life cycle ceremonies, Jewish values, symbols and traditions, and Jewish liturgy and texts. Introduction to Judaism is ideal for those who are part of a Jewish family, are considering conversion, or simply want to gain a deeper understanding of Jewish life. Co-sponsored by the Union for Reform Judaism and the Chicago Association of Reform Rabbis. Classes are offered at several locations around Chicago and the suburbs in the fall, winter and spring.

JCC Shalom Over 50 *

Shir Tikvah
1424 183rd Street
Homewood
IL
60430
Phone: (224) 406-9233
URL: http://www.jccchicago.org
Contact: Ilene Uhlmann

Shalom Over 50 is a Jewish club that meets weekly at Shir Tikvah in Homewood for Yiddish classes, speakers and fellowship. A full schedule of thought-provoking lectures, current events and performances ensures lively discussion and a good time. Lunch is provided each week.

Jewish Learning Institute (JLI)

Regional Office
2833 W. Howard Street
Chicago
IL
60645
Phone: 312-445-0770
Fax: (773) 262-2050
Email: info@jlichicago.com
URL: http://www.jlichicago.com
Contact: Rabbi Meir Hecht

Accredited courses in Jewish life, Kabbalah, mysticism, Talmud, and Jewish history for Jews of all backgrounds. Special CLE and CME accredited programs for lawyers and doctors. Locations throughout the Chicago area: Chicago (Bucktown/Hyde Park/Chicago Loop/Rogers Park), Elgin, Evanston, Glenview, Gurnee, Highland Park, Naperville, Northbrook, Oak Park, Skokie, Wilmette, Vernon Hills, as well as Champaign and Peoria.

Kollel Toras Chesed

3732 W. Dempster Street
Skokie
IL
60076
Phone: (847) 674-7959
Email: info@skokiekollel.org
URL: http://www.skokiekollel.org
Contact: Rabbi Shmuel Oren

One-on-one learning sessions on Sundays, morning and evening learning sessions for men; classes and discussion groups for men and women; children's story hour on Shabbos; TNT & Besamim programs for children; Women's Tanach class; Torah To Go CDs.

North Shore Torah Center Komimiyus

6247 N. Sacramento Street
Chicago
IL
60659
Phone: (773) 465-8183

Torah classes, free of charge, primarily in Deerfield and Highland Park.

Philip & Ethel Klutznick Lectures in Jewish Civilization *

Jewish United Fund
30 S. Wells Street
Chicago
IL
60606-5056
Phone: 312-357-4675

Co-sponsored by Northwestern University. Free annual lectures by eminent Jewish scholars on topics of interest to the Jewish community.

Road Scholar, formerly Elderhostel *

JCC Chicago
Administrative Office
Bernard Weinger JCC
300 Revere Drive
Northbrook
IL
60062
Phone: (224) 406-9233
Fax: (847) 205-9350
URL: http://www.jccchicago.org/travel

JCC offers a variety of multi-day programs with a focus on Chicago. Each program provides an opportunity for stimulating and interesting experiences and discussions, enriched by the insight of expert docents and the company of fellow lifelong learners. Past programs have included Signature City Chicago, A Taste of Chicago's Food History, Beautiful Music at Ravinia, Theatre in Chicago, and City Highlights Weekend. Road Scholar programs offer adults 55+ affordable, short-term vacation opportunities designed to be both educationally and culturally stimulating and socially gratifying. Program fees include Road Scholar educational sessions, accommodations, entertainment and most meals.

Scholar-in-Residence Weekend

Chicago Loop Synagogue
16 S. Clark St.
Chicago
IL
60603
Phone: (312) 346-7370
Fax: (312) 346-9791

Annual weekend discussions with a nationally known scholar on issues facing the Jewish community.

Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning and Leadership *

610 S. Michigan Ave.
Chicago
IL
60605
Phone: (312) 322-1700
Email: info@spertus.edu
URL: http://www.spertus.edu

Offers learning opportunities that are rooted in Jewish wisdom and culture and open to all. Offerings are designed to enable personal growth, train future leaders, and engage individuals in exploration of Jewish life. Graduate programs and professional workshops are offered in the Chicago area, in select locations across North America, in Israel, and through distance learning. Public programs including films, speakers, seminars, concerts, and exhibits are offered at the Institute's Michigan Avenue facility, in the Chicago suburbs, and online.

The Chicago Center for Jewish Studies

University of Chicago
1115 E. 60th Street
Room 302A
Chicago
IL
60637
Phone: (773) 702-7108
Email: ccjs@uchicago.edu
URL: http://lucian.uchicago.edu/blogs/ccjs
Contact: Na'ama Rokem, Faculty Director

Lectures, conferences, and arts programming in all areas of Jewish history, culture, literature, and religion, all open to the public; oversees undergraduate programs; and supports and coordinates graduate degree programs in multiple areas of Jewish Studies in 13 departments and schools.

The Joseph Cardinal Bernardin Jerusalem Lecture *

Jewish United Fund
30 S. Wells Street
Chicago
IL
60606-5056
Phone: (312) 357-4991
Email: christophermelton@juf.org
Contact: Christopher Melton

An annual lecture that maintains the dialogue between Jews and Catholics on issues affecting their relationship.

The Sidney & Frances Avner Torah Learning Center of Northbrook

2548 Jasper Court, Suite 201
Northbrook
IL
60062
Phone: (847) 272-7255
Fax: (847) 272-3677
Email: rabbikarsh@torahlearningcenter.com
URL: http://www.torahlearningcenter.com
Contact: Rabbi Yehoshua Karsh

Weekly study groups, parent/child discussion groups, classes and workshops, Hebrew and Judaism classes, international lecturers and more.

The Society for Mishnah Study/Chevrah Lomdei Mishnah

Phone: (732) 364-7029
Email: info@societyformishnahstudy.org
URL: http://www.chevrahlomdeimishnah.org/

Commissions Torah scholars to complete a course of designated Mishnah study for the merit of their dear departed. Also arranges tractates of Talmud to be studied on behalf of the dear departed.

Vaad Hadayanus/Council on Jewish Law

Agudath Israel of Illinois
3555 W. Peterson Ave.
Suite 109
Chicago
IL
60659
Phone: (773) 539-4241
Fax: (773) 478-7591
Contact: Rabbi Shmuel Fuerst

Classes, publications and seminars.

Women to Women

2833 W. Howard St.
Chicago
IL
60645
Phone: (773) 973-3614
Fax: (773) 262-2050

Classes for women on Lubavitch philosophy and thought.

Yeshiva Migdal Torah

Jewish Learning Center
2728 W. Pratt Blvd.
Chicago
IL
60645
Phone: (773) 465-7600
Fax: (773) 465-4554
Email: migdaltorah@sbcglobal.net
URL: http://www.migdaltorah.org

Yeshiva Women *

Hebrew Theological College
7135 N. Carpenter Road
Skokie
IL
60077
Phone: (847) 982-2500
Fax: (847) 674-6381
Email: YeshivaWomen@htc.edu
URL: http://www.htc.edu

Organizes educational and social programs and fundraising for HTC.

Yeshiva Yaakov Ovenu, YYO Introductions, YYO Singles

6800 N. California Ave.
Unit 1S
Chicago
IL
60645
Phone: (847) 745-8021 , (847) 840-4269
Fax: (847) 745-8021
Email: yyo613@yahoo.com
URL: http://yeshivayaakovovenu.org
Contact: Sheila Segall

Dedicated to helping fellow Jews, providing Torah and chesed to those in need. Torah classes, home study programs, YYO Singles, YYO Introductions, Better Beginnings (relationship enhancement), seminars, Mishmeres Shmiras HaLoshon of Chicago, Clothes Committee (collects and distributes clothing to those in need), Pesa Bas HaRav Eliezer Shtick Gmach (shtick, arches for chasunas). All services are free of charge.

What's New in the Guide

Rachael's Creations

Handmade, unique Judaica crafted from polymer clay, including mezuzah cases, shabbat candle stick sets, menorahs and seder plates. Pieces are adorned with a variety of elements including wire, beads, stones, mica powders and alcohol inks. Many gifts can be personalized with English or Hebrew letters.

Rabbi Menachem Slavaticki

Rabbi Slavaticki is a highly experienced Mohel who has performed numerous circumcisions over the years. He is known for his expertise, professionalism, and compassionate care for both the baby and the family.

Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt

At Menchie's, we provide delicious frozen yogurt and sorbet made with all real and natural ingredients. We have very unique flavors that adhere to everyone's needs including Dairy-free, Nut-free, No sugar added, and Low Carb. Not to mention, all of our flavors are Kosher! We are known as one of the best Kosher dessert places in the city of Chicago! We also have lots of fun coloring sheets and a chalkboard at our store so that families can take their time and enjoy the fun and welcoming environment of our frozen yogurt shop. We bring the community together over delicious, Kosher treats at Menchie's Frozen Yogurt.