Cultural Organizations, Events, Activities

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

American Jewish Artists Club

900 Stonegate Drive
Highland Park
IL
60035-5147
Phone: (847) 293-6425 , (847) 902-1160
Email: nemanjasp7am@gmail.com
URL: www.americanjewishartistsclub.com
Contact: John Wayne

Jewish artists working in various media and thematic subjects; art exhibits, newsletter, lectures, and meetings to discuss issues in the arts. Please contact Shary Costello, membership chair for an application for membership.srbcos3@gmail.com

American Jewish Historical Society

15 W. 16th Street
New York
NY
10011
Phone: (212) 294-6160
Fax: (212) 294-6161
Email: rlithgow@ajhs.org
URL: http://www.ajhs.org
Contact: Rachel Lithgow, Executive Director

Fosters awareness and appreciation of the American Jewish heritage, national scholarly resource for research.

Chicago Festival of Israeli Cinema

P.O. Box 524
Highland Park
IL
60035
Phone: (847) 687-2126
Email: info@israelifilmchi.org
URL: http://www.israelifilmchi.org
Contact: Cindy Stern, Executive Director

The mission of the CFIC, an independent 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, is to share a love and appreciation of Israeli culture with the Jewish community and community at large through the magic of film. Annual Fall Festival screenings take place in Chicago and its suburbs, including the ArcLight Cinemas in The Glen, Glenview, with other special events hosted throughout the year. Shown is an inclusive, multi-dimensional view of Israel through the country's most current, internationally award-winning features, documentaries and shorts. Guest appearances by Israeli filmmakers, actors and other experts add discussions and context to the mix.

Chicago Israeli Dancing

formerly Northwestern University Hillel Israeli Folk Dancing
c/o Temple Judea Mizpah
8610 Niles Center Road
Skokie
IL
60077
Phone: (847) 274-1809
Email: philip_b_moss@hotmail.com
Contact: Phil Moss

Chicago's longest running recreational Israeli folk dance session. Meets every Thursday night (except for holidays). All are welcome!

Continuum Theater *

P.O. Box 1617
Deerfield
IL
60015
Phone: (847) 780-7230
Fax: (847) 831-3365
Email: devorah@continuumtheater.org
URL: http://www.continuumtheater.org
Contact: Devorah Richards

Jewish artists and lovers of the arts created Continuum Theater to support Jewish learning, community and cultural continuity by preserving, growing and sharing Jewish performing arts experiences. Continuum Theater produces theater, music, dance and arts education experiences that explore Jewish history, heritage, contemporary issues and the full scope of the Jewish experience. The theater hopes to nurture Jewish artists and to forge productive partnerships with community organizations interested in creative programming. Programs include: The Chicago Jewish Play Reading Festival, The Midwest Jewish Play Writing Contest in association with the Jewish Plays Project and school artistic residences.

Greater Chicago Jewish Festival

Jewish POCET
8939 Karlov Ave.
Skokie
IL
60076
Phone: (847) 933-3000 , (847) 674-0344
Fax: (847) 677-2020
URL: http://www.jewishfestival.org

Producers of the biennial festival of Jewish music, art, dance, food, and fun.

Hatzabarim Israeli Folk Dance Co.

3850 White Cloud Drive
Skokie
IL
60076
Phone: (847) 674-6677
Fax: (847) 674-5606
Email: hatzabarim@aol.com
Contact: Marla Balaban

Performs Israeli and Jewish dances, songs, and dramatizations. Israeli folk dance instruction.

JCC Chicago Jewish Film Festival *

300 Revere Drive
Northbrook
IL
60062
Phone: 224-406-9223 , 224-406-9257
Email: iuhlmann@jccchicago.org
URL: http://www.jccfilmfest.org
Contact: Ilene Uhlmann and Hillary Wenk

The 6th Annual JCC Chicago Jewish Film Festival will run March 1-17, 2019 featuring a compelling and diverse selection of films, including narratives, comedies, and documentaries, that will stir emotion, nostalgia, and inspire conversation. This year the festival is featuring films that focus on strong, inspiring female protagonists, women who make a difference for their families, for their communities, and the world. The 2019 festival includes masterfully told films that give a powerful voice to issues of social justice and come together to create a film festival infused with stories of love, loss, learning, humor and survival. This year, the JCC Chicago Jewish Film Festival will include 43 feature-length films shown at premiere venues across the city and suburbs.

JCC Chicago Travel *

Travel with the J
300 Revere Drive
Northbrook
IL
60062
Phone: 847-882-8881
Fax: (224) 406-9272
URL: http://www.jccchicago.org
Contact: Miriam Levinson

Travel with the J is more than just a trip. It's a unique and exciting opportunity to experience cultures and countries through thoughtfully designed, guided vacations paired with off the beaten path adventures. Our extraordinary guides and experienced tour leaders bring a richness and context to everything you see and do. Intimate group sizes provide personal attention, a chance to engage and connect with family and fellow travelers, and the ability to create your own story.

JCC Maccabi Chicago *

Administrative Office
Bernard Weinger JCC
300 Revere Drive
Northbrook
IL
60062
Phone: 224-406-9200
Fax: (224) 406-9272
Email: jminor@jccchicago.org
URL: http://www.jccchicago.org/maccabi
Contact: Julie Minor

An annual, international Olympic-style sporting event held each summer in select cities for Jewish teens, 13-16 years of age. Competition includes basketball, baseball, softball, soccer, lacrosse, flag football, volleyball, track and field, swimming, tennis, golf, ice hockey and more. The largest organized sports program for Jewish teenagers in the world, the Games provide 6,000 Jewish youth with an unparalleled athletic and cultural experience and strengthens Jewish identity. A summer arts experience for creative Jewish teens ages 13-17 features workshops in a variety of specialties with some of the leading artists in each field and incorporates community service, social activities, and themes of Jewish heritage, community, and Israel.

JCC Perlstein Retreat Center *

Summer Address
P.O. Box 104
Lake Delton
WI
53940
Phone: 847-763-3605
Fax: 847-763-3680
Email: retreats@jccchicago.org
URL: http://www.campchi.com
Contact: Contact Name: Ari

Host your next gathering on our 20 wooded, lakeside acres, right next door to the Wisconsin Dells. Serene and spacious facilities offer your group a real retreat from the hustle and bustle of every day. We are the perfect location whether you are celebrating, working or playing. Our professional staff help coordinate your special events and meetings. Every event at Perlstein Retreat Center is unique. We will customize our services to meet your needs so that your next gathering will be unforgettable.Winter Address: 3050 Woodridge Lane Northbrook, IL 60062 

JCYS Lillian L. Lutz Recreation Center

1195 Half Day Road
Highland Park
IL
60035
Phone: Email: micky.baer@jcys.org
URL: http://www.jcys.org/thelil
Contact: Micky Baer

Summer fun abounds at The Lil'! The heated pool features two shallow ends (one of which is only two feet deep!), a deep end with a slide, pool basketball, and kick boards and pool toys galore. An interactive Splash Pad allows for water fun outside of the pool, and the multi-purpose sports court and tennis courts are available for all members and day guests. Swim lessons, summer camp offerings and party rental opportunities.

Joyce’s Events and Party Planning

5201 S. Cornell Ave., Suite 25B
Chicago
IL
60615
Phone: (773) 955-1436
Fax: (773) 955-2230
Email: events@joycesevents.com
URL: http://www.joycesevents.com
Contact: Joyce Feuer

Keshet Recreation *

3210 Dundee Road
Northbrook
IL
60062
Phone: (847) 205-0274
Fax: (847) 205-1530
Email: jevans@keshet.org
URL: http://www.keshet.org/recreation/
Contact: Jen Evans, Director of Recreation

Special Olympics, Buddy Programs, Parents' Night Out, After School, BBYO, School Day Off, Teen/Tween Camp

KFAR Jewish Arts Center

Phone: (773) 362-4760
Email: jewishfringe@kfarcenter.com
URL: http://www.kfarcenter.org
Contact: Adam Davis

Independent arts organization promotes Jewish expression through art and culture.

Klezmer Music Foundation

4025 Harvard Terrace
Skokie
IL
60076
Phone: (847) 675-4800
Fax: (847) 675-4880
Email: klezmermusicfoundation@gmail.com
URL: http://www.klezmermusicfoundation.org
Contact: Lori Lippitz

The Klezmer Music Foundation was founded in 1994 to further the educational and outreach activities of the Maxwell Street Klezmer Band. Their charitable work includes: performances for senior citizen residences, school concerts, the Junior Klezmer Orchestra, the Salaam-Shalom Music Project, the Yiddish Arts Ensemble, klezmer workshops and master classes, and more.

Krav Maga Illinois

2200 Skokie Valley Road
Highland Park
IL
60035
Phone: (847) 433-0405
URL: http://www.kravmagaillinois.com

Krav Maga (contact combat in Hebrew) is the official self defense system of the Israeli Defense Forces, has been taught to hundreds of law enforcement agencies and thousands of civilians in the United States and is also taught in the schools in Israel through the ministry of education.

L'Chaim Center

405 Lake Cook Road, Suite 207
in Deerfield Park Plaza
Deerfield
IL
60015
Phone: (847) 899-8599
Email: lchaimcenter@sbcglobal.net
URL: http://www.lchaimcenter.org
Contact: Rabbi David Begoun

Through a wide array of classes and events, monthly Shabbat programs, and trips and retreats, L'Chaim Center offers Jewish people of all ages, backgrounds and affiliations authentic Jewish experiences.

Limmud Chicago

9318 Skokie Blvd.
Suite 4821
Skokie
IL
60076
Phone: 319-321-7109
Email: limmudchi@gmail.org
URL: http://www.limmudchicago.org
Contact: Robyn Schneider and Ilana Emmet

A communiversity of Jewish learning and culture. Limmud means “learning” in Hebrew.

National Yiddish Book Center

Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Building
1021 West Street
Amherst
MA
01002
Phone: (413) 256-4900
Fax: (413) 256-4700
Email: yiddish@bikher.org
URL: http://www.yiddishbookcenter.org

Non-profit organization working to tell the whole Jewish story by rescuing, translating and disseminating Yiddish books and presenting innovative educational programs that broaden understanding of modern Jewish identity.

Shabbat.com

Phone: URL: http://www.shabbat.com

Host or be hosted for a Shabbat meal. Experience the warmth and beauty of Shabbat by savoring delicious foods, and enjoying new friendships. Connect with more than 25,000 fellow Jews in 99 countries via Shabbat.com's state-of-the-art social network features. Find your soulmate. Shabbat.com's team of matchmakers have a unique approach to dating.

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 Joseph and Mae Gray Cultural & Learning Center

North Suburban Synagogue Beth El
1175 Sheridan Road
Highland Park
IL
60035
Phone: (847) 432-8900
Email: rkamin@nssbethel.org
URL: http://www.nssbethel.org
Contact: Rachel Kamin, MLS, Director

Provides congregations and the community with Judaic educational and cultural resources. The fully automated collection includes more than 20,000 books, periodicals, videos, DVDs, audio, and other resources, and is open to the community. Book discussions, author events, film screenings, and other cultural programming are also offered.

The Kabbalah Bookstore Chicago

3036 N. Ashland Ave.
Chicago
IL
60657
Phone: (773) 248-2622
Email: chicago@kabbalah.com
URL: http://www.chicago.kabbalah.com

Non-profit organization that makes the principles of Kabbalah understandable and relevant to everyday life.

The Kabbalah Bookstore Highland Park

492 Central Ave.
Highland Park
IL
60035
Phone: (847) 433-3364
Email: highlandpark@kabbalah.com
URL: http://www.highlandpark.kabbalah.com

Non-profit organization that makes the principles of Kabbalah understandable and relevant to everyday life.

Transcontinental Music Publications

American Conference of Cantors
1375 Remington Road, Suite M
Schaumburg
IL
60173
Phone: (847) 781-7800 , (847) 781-7801
Email: tmp@accantors.org
URL: http://www.transcontinentalmusic.com

TMP is the premier publishing house for Jewish choral music and songbooks. Its sheet music and songbooks include music for worship, informal settings, and concert performance, by renowned Jewish composers. Long known for its choral publications, in recent years, Transcontinental has become known also as a provider of contemporary-style music in songbook form, including the best-selling Complete Shireinu, the Shabbat Anthology series, and Sing Unto God: The Debbie Friedman Anthology.

Yiddish Music Archives

721 Case Street
Evanston
IL
60202
Phone: (847) 475-3905
Email: resources@muziker.org
URL: http://www.muziker.org
Contact: Kurt Bjorling

A large collection of recorded and printed resources for the study of traditional klezmer music; available for purchase.

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.