Following the City of Chicago’s passage of an ordinance increasing minimum wage for Chicago workers, the debate on increasing the minimum wage for the remaining low-income workers in Illinois is building up.

On Dec. 8, the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago’s Government Affairs Committee hosted a panel discussion on the issue featuring four experts with differing perspectives.

John Bouman, president of the Shriver National Center on Poverty Law and co-chair of Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s Working Group on Increasing the Minimum Wage, began the discussion.

“The demographics of the low-income worker population are growing and individuals can no longer get their families out of poverty by merely working a 40 hour week,” he said.

Alderman Michele Smith (43rd Ward) noted this is the first time in history that the city and state minimum wage differ. “This creates opposition between the city and its bordering suburbs,” she said. Although in favor of a “livable” minimum wage, Smith voted against the propped $13.00/hour rate, an increase from $8.25, because she thought it was too high. Smith said she believes the City needs to consider a more measured approach to improving lives for people living in poverty, such as advocating for restoration of some of the federal cuts to food stamps and housing subsidies.

Unlike the other speakers, Jonathan Greenberg, representing the Illinois Policy Institute, does not support a minimum wage increase, recommending instead that a more practical approach to addressing poverty would be to reform our education and criminal justice systems and implement pro-grow economic policies.

“Minimum wage increases result in job loss because they artificially drive up the cost of labor. So when you raise the wage, employers are forced to cut payroll,” Greenberg said. “Sure, some people will have more money, but others will lose their jobs. And the people who lose their jobs are already at the bottom of the income distribution, so you’ve not only cost them their jobs, but you’ve made it virtually impossible for them to find other work.” Greenberg referred to this outcome as “deeply immoral.”

In response, Bouman talked about meeting with one of the founders of Costco, which pays their retail staff much higher than the current minimum wage because “you get what you pay for.” Costco searches for ways to cut costs that don’t involve cutting labor.

State Senator Daniel Biss wrapped up the discussion with his observations about the national conversation to increase the minimum wage.

“A state-level increase in the minimum wage will help eliminate inequalities within the labor force and address the systemic, structural problem of wage distribution that is holding our middle class and our national economy back.”

The bill to increase the state minimum wage to $11.00/hour passed in the Senate but failed in the House because of an amendment restricting local municipalities such as Chicago from establishing their own higher levels of minimum wage. However, a statewide advisory referendum on increasing the minimum wage was approved decisively by the voters, so the topic is sure to continue under the new administration and General Assembly in January.

“I am the collective pride and excitement that is felt when we find out that a new actor, that great athlete, his chief of staff…is Jewish. And I am the collective guilt and shame that is felt when we find out that the serial killer, that Ponzi schemer, that wife beater…is Jewish.”

“I am the complicated reason you take the cheese off your burger you eat at the Saturday morning tailgate.”

“I am the Torah and not the old Testament.”

“I am on JDate and not Match.com because well … it’s just easier that way.”

These are a few excerpts from Jewish spoken word millennial artist Andrew Lustig’s poem “I am Jewish,” which he delivered at the seventh annual JUF’s Young Leadership Division (YLD) Big Event Fundraiser on Saturday night at the Sheraton Chicago.

Lustig’s poem (watch Lustig perform “I am Jewish” here) speaks to the complicated identity of what it is to be a young American Jew today, an experience that the audience of his peers could relate to.

Odds are good that if you’re a young Jewish Chicagoan, you were hanging out with Lustig and a lot of other young Jews Saturday night, December 13. A whopping 2,400 people gathered to support the Chicago Jewish community through the Jewish United Fund, and—of course—to laugh at the standup comedy of Seth Meyers, the host of Late Night with Seth Meyers and an alum of Saturday Night Live.

Big Event—which featured a new format with a comedy show, followed by a hotel after-party—kicked off YLD’s 2015 Annual Campaign. The event is JUF’s premier fundraising event for the next generation of Jewish Chicagoans, and marks the first YLD event for many guests in attendance. The event raised approximately $333,000—an increase over last year’s Big Event Fundraiser—and garnered 1,725 gifts, and 833 first-time donors to JUF.

“No matter what being Jewish means to you, you are all here in this room because you feel some connection to your Jewish community and some connection to the organization that brought us all out here tonight: JUF,” YLD President Brandon Prosansky told the audience.

During the war last summer, Amy Kirsch, 2015 YLD Campaign Chair, traveled to Israel, where she spent time in bomb shelters and met residents of Israel under siege—including Holocaust survivors—who were helped through the vital work of JUF. “Through JUF, I am continuously impressed by all of the efforts dedicated to improving the lives of individuals here at home, in Israel, and all over the world,” Kirsch told the Big Event crowd. “JUF provides us with an extraordinary opportunity to pool our resourcesand extend our reach beyond any horizon we could ever hope to touch on our own. It’s crowd-funding with a heart! Every dollar you give counts. Every minute you volunteer makes a difference.”

‘Give me a shout-out if you think I’m Jewish’

Meyers’ appearance was a return home to the Windy City for the Northwestern University alum. The comedian, born in Evanston and raised in Bedford, N.H., spent a long tenure at Saturday Night Live (SNL)—12 years as a cast member, eight seasons as head writer, and seven as anchor for SNL’s Weekend Update. In February, Jimmy Fallon—a fellow past Big Event performer—passed the baton to Meyers to host NBC’s famed talk show, Late Night.

Meyers delivered a hilarious set touching on everything from President Obama’s second term, to the European economy, to his love for video games, the movie “Frozen,” and Pope Francis. (Watch Cindy’s interview with Seth Meyers following the show.)

Meyers poked fun at himself for waiting five years to pop the question to his now-wife.

Back during their courtship, Meyers traveled to Paris with her. “Shame on me,” he said. “You cannot take a woman who’s waiting for an engagement ring to Paris—that’s just cruel and unusual punishment. At one point we were walking over the bridge on the River Seine and I dropped my passport. I looked down at my passport and thought I think this will be easier to kick into the river and go to the embassy than to take a knee in Paris and not come up with an engagement ring.”

The comedian told the audience he’s constantly mistaken for a Jewish guy. After all, he’s married to a Jewish woman, his paternal grandfather was Jewish, and he has a Jewish sensibility about him.

“Give me a shout out if you assumed I’m Jewish,” he told the crowd. “I’m assuming you based it off my name, my face, and everything else about me.”

Unlike him, his mom, he said, is never mistaken for being Jewish. “My mother could not be less Jewish,” Meyers said. “To give you an example…she recently said as long as my kids are happy, I’m happy.”

He’s reached the conclusion that his level of Jewishness will suffice. “…I’m Jewish enough. Over a five year courtship with my in-laws, they became okay with the level of Jewish I was… I feel like that’s the only religion that happens with because it’s the only religion that ends with ‘ish.’ On my wedding day, people would ask my in-laws, ‘Is he Jewish?’ and they would say, ‘he’s Jew-ISH.’ I guess “Amish” is the other one. ‘He’s Am-ISH. He’ll use a flashlight if the candles run out.’”

Then, Meyers looked around the room: “I may not be Jewish but being here in a hotel ballroom with all you Jewish people and candy on the tables is as close as I’m ever going to get to having a bar mitzvah,” he joked. “I’m going to go back to New York a man.”

A special thank you to YLD’s Big Event Fundraiser Lead Sponsor: Eleven Lincoln Park; Platinum Sponsors: Associated Agencies, Inc. and Chubb Group of Insurance Companies, Burns & Wilcox, Charles E. Dobrusin and Associates, Civello Salons, Spin-Spun All Natural Confections; Event Sponsors: Bub City, Emporium Arcade Bar, Hub 51, JFS Realty Capital, Morgan Stanley: Cohn Weisskopf Oxman Group, Paris Club, RJ Grunts, RPM ITALIAN, RPM Steak, SpotHero, SpotMyPhotos, a CloudSpotter Technologies company, and Three Dots and Dash; AV Sponsor: AV Chicago; Beverage Sponsors: Lakeshore Beverage, and Sam Adams; Media Sponsor: SPLASH: A Wrapports Publication; Mercadito Hospitality, and Richard and Cheryl Kirsch for their support of this event.

Another special thank you to the 165 Table Hosts whose support of this event made it an enormous success.

Visit the YLD facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/ChicagoYLD and for a list of upcoming YLD events, visit www.yldchicago.org.

JUF has announced permanent funding for its Washington D.C. internship program.

Through JUF’s Centennial Campaign, Odessa Dubinsky has made provisions in her will to fund the federal policy internship, which works in conjunction with JUF professionals based in the nation’s capital. The position focuses on government relations, regulation of non-profit charities and other domestic and international policy, especially involving Israel. The intern gains exposure to Capitol Hill and Executive Branch agencies, works with Jewish Federation agencies and other Jewish and social welfare groups in D.C., and enjoys a first-hand look inside the Jewish communal organizational world.

JUF Executive Vice President Jay Tcath said, “Odessa Dubinsky’s generosity will benefit not only individual college students seeking to gain educational workplace experience, but in the process will also advance JUF’s task of helping 300,000 Chicagoans of all faiths and over 2 million Jews worldwide. We are both grateful for her generosity and excited to fill the first ‘Odessa Dubinsky Internship’ with an outstanding undergraduate, the first of what will be many in the decades to come.”

The Odessa Dubinsky Internship is a part-time position (flexible but consistent 15 to 20-hour work week) that will run from January through early May. College credit for the internship is sometimes awarded. The internship is open to current college sophomores, juniors, and seniors.

Interested candidates should send their resume and a cover letter, writing sample, and any questions to [email protected]. For more on JUF’s Government Affairs program, visit www.juf.org/gov.

Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka, with longtime friend Dr. Steven B. Nasatir, JUF/Federation President.

Judy Baar Topinka, who died on Wednesday, Dec. 10, will be remembered with much love by many in the Jewish community, in Springfield and across the State of Illinois.

A lifelong Republican, she was a fiscal moderate and an early advocate of gay rights, immigration reform, and abortion rights.

Topinka, who was to be inaugurated on Jan. 12, 2015 for her second term as comptroller, began her political career in the Illinois House in 1980 when it was rare to see a female state legislator. She moved to the Illinois Senate in 1984 where she served until she was elected state treasurer in 1994. She was a trailblazer for women politicians becoming, among other things, the first Republican woman nominated for governor.

But Judy will be remembered first and foremost as a pragmatic, cheerful, energetic leader who advocated with a smile on her face and a determination to find solutions to problems on behalf of all Illinois residents, regardless of class, color, or religion.

Topinka was a great friend to the Jewish community. She quickly “fell in love” with Israel on her first trip with the Jewish United Fund/Jewish Federation in 1994 and returned later on her own.

She was an award recipient from the Anti-Defamation League, American Committee of the Shaare Zedek Medical Center of Jerusalem, and Jerusalem’s Bikur Cholim Hospital, among other Jewish organizations.

She talked proudly about the wisdom of her decision as State Treasurer to first develop legislation, in partnership with State Sen. Jeff Schoenberg, which made it possible for the State of Illinois to invest state funds in foreign bonds, and then direct her office to purchase Israel bonds. Topinka felt so strongly about showing her support for Israel that, in spite of an earlier commitment and difficulty walking due to recent surgery, she spoke at the JUF Chicago Community Rally November 20, 2012. (Watch a video of Topinka’s speech.)

“Let’s get it straight,” she said at the rally. “Israel has the right to exist. Israel has the right to defend itself. Israel is one of the greatest allies of the United States and certainly the State of Illinois.”

Suzanne F. Strassberger is associate vice president of Government and Community Partnerships for the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago.

The Jewish Federation’s Academic Scholarship Committee approved 89 awards totaling $421,045 for the 2014-15 academic year.

Anyone interested in establishing a scholarship fund, to be administered by the Federation, should contact David Rosen at the Legacies and Endowment office, (312) 357-4853. Those interested in applying for the 2015-16 academic year should contact the scholarship coordinator at the Jewish Vocational Service, (312) 673-3444 or go to http://jvschicago.org/scholarship/ for details and an application. The deadline for making application is February 15, 2015.

Rabbi Michael Balinsky, executive vice president of the Chicago Board of Rabbis, offered the following benediction at Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s breakfast honoring new Archbishop Blase Cupich on Nov. 20.

I am Rabbi Michael Balinsky, President of the Council of Religious Leaders of Metropolitan Chicago.

Thirty years ago, His Eminence Joseph Cardinal Bernardin, Archbishop of Chicago, joined with leaders of the Episcopal, Greek Orthodox and Protestant Churches, along with The Chicago Board of Rabbis, to create the Council of Religious Leaders of Metropolitan Chicago. Over a quarter of a century later, the Council gathers an even greater diversity of religious leaders, enriched by the participation of the participation of other Christian communions as well as Muslim, Baha’i, Jain, Hindu, Sikh and Zoroastrian leaders and their traditions. Through the Council, the churches, synagogues, temples, mosques and other religious assemblies share a unifying vision and are able to speak with a unified voice on issues affecting the common good of the people of Chicago land area. On behalf of the Council I want to thank Cardinal George for his many years of participation and welcome our newest member Archbishop Cupich.

A fifth century rabbinic text comments on Isaiah 43:12: I have declared, and have saved, and I have proclaimed, and there was no strange god among you; therefore you are my witnesses, said the Lord, that I am God. Now the contextual meaning of the verse is that because of their belief and loyalty, Israel serves as witnesses to God. However the rabbinic text comments in a different way, perhaps a very radical way, when you are my witnesses, I am God, but when you are not my witnesses, it is as if I am not God. Without witnesses, without us, it is as if there is no God.

What I take from this text is a challenge; we must act as witnesses for God to be God. And by witnessing, I do not mean proselytizing, but rather working on behalf of those who suffer, standing against violence, participating in activities that serve the common good, taking a public stand when needed, and working together as children of God to repair our fractured world. We come to this out of different beliefs, but we stand together in witnessing our belief that God propels us and commands to make our city a place of dignity for all. May God bless all of us gathered here today as we welcome Archbishop Cupich and wish him well with his holy work on behalf of the Catholic community and all the residents of our great city. Shalom and Peace to all.

Jewish Community Center Chicago has announced the selection of Kyle Freimuth as president of the board of directors.

“It is an honor to have the opportunity to serve one of the most prestigious and impactful agencies in the Chicago Jewish community,” said Freimuth.

Freimuth has served the JCC Chicago board of directors for more than five years and was highly involved in bringing JCC Chicago President and CEO Alan Sataloff to Chicago in 2013.

“[Alan and I] share a vision for JCC Chicago that focuses on growth, expansion and trying new ideas,” said Freimuth. “It is our turn to show the Jewish community that we understand the value of giving back and that our link in the chain that is over 4,000 years old is as strong and solid as it has ever been.”

As leader of the board of directors, Freimuth will make policy decisions and oversee JCC Chicago operations.

“[Kyle and I] have worked closely together for many years and he has the background, experience and determination to succeed,” said Stuart Hochwert, past JCC Board President and President of Prime Publishing LLC.

Freimuth holds an M.B.A from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management and currently works as Senior Vice President and Group Head of Commercial Lending at First Midwest Bank, Chicago.

Freimuth hails from Cleveland, Ohio where his family was actively involved at the JCC. He and his wife, Wendy Freimuth, currently live with their son and daughter in Glenview.

New incoming 2014-2015 board members also include Sharon Laderman and Robyn Tavel of Glencoe and David Nankin of Highland Park.

The Jewish United Fund of Metropolitan Chicago has issued its 2015 Request for Proposals (RFP) for the Breakthrough Fund, a new grant program launched last year to encourage smart growth and innovation in Chicago’s Jewish community. Letters of Intent will be accepted through 3 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2015.

JUF will award up to $750,000 in new grants for innovative programs, capacity-building efforts, research and development initiatives, and new approaches that address the wide array of needs, interests, individuals, and identities that reflect the diverse Jewish community in Chicago, in Israel and other countries overseas.

In addition, JUF will distribute $488,000 in second-year funds for Breakthrough Fund grants committed during its first cycle. All told, the Breakthrough Fund will provide nearly $1.25 million in FY16.

Breakthrough Fund grants will support both established organizations with a legacy of creating and expanding value-added programs and services, and also early-stage organizations and entrepreneurs whose voices, visions and ideas are just emerging.

“It’s inspiring to see the impact that our first round of Breakthrough Fund grants already is having in our community as innovative programs are beginning to grow and develop,” said Bill Silverstein, JUF’s chairman of the board. “I cannot wait to see what’s next.”

JUF broke new ground in Chicago’s Jewish community last summer, awarding $1 million in inaugural Breakthrough Fund grants to 17 local initiatives. Serving various populations, the programs cover diverse activities, including: creating an online community resource for families with young children; educating day school students about how to respond to bullying and anti-Semitism; helping LGBTQ Jews explore their Jewish heritage; and providing grandparents with tools to connect with their grandchildren around Jewish values.

JUF invites prospective applicants to attend a workshop at 3 p.m. Monday, Dec. 8, at its headquarters, 30 S. Wells St, Chicago. Attendees will learn more about the Breakthrough Fund’s goals, application process and requirements, and evaluation criteria. To register or for more information, contact Sarah Follmer, Senior Planning Associate, Strategic Partnerships, at (312) 357-4547 or [email protected] or visit www.juf.org/grants/breakthrough.aspx.

Former Prisoner of Zion Yosef Mendelevitch made an emotional return to the city where he was imprisoned in the 1970s to join hundreds of Jews from across Russia for the fourth Annual Limmud FSU (former Soviet Union) St. Petersburg this weekend. The three-day Jewish learning festival, at the New Peterhof Hotel, featured a packed program of lectures, workshops, round-table discussions, music and a wide-range of cultural events. With about 100,000 Jewish residents, St. Petersburg claims the second largest Jewish community in Russia today.

Mendelevitch was held in a Soviet prison after being arrested for leading the 1970 “Operation Wedding,” a Soviet Jewish operation to steal a plane from then-Leningrad’s airport and escape to Israel. After gaining his freedom, Mendelevitch made Aliyah to Israel. Mendelevitch was among the main speakers at Limmud FSU St. Petersburg, recounting his experiences in Operation Wedding, recalling celebrating Shabbat in the Gulag, and describing his feelings about returning to St. Petersburg.

“I spent a lot of time in this city but only as a prisoner, so I don’t know it at all,” said Mendelevitch. “I’m certainly not nostalgic. The Land of Israel is the only place to which I have an emotional attachment.”

Participants, primarily from St Petersburg, but also from many neighboring cities and countries (including Moscow, Kaliningrad and Kazan) attended some 80 seminars, lectures, presentations, master-classes, round-table discussions and creative workshops on a wide variety of topics. The topics included Jewish spirituality, tradition and philosophy, ethical issues, current topics in politics and society, arts, music, and dance.

“St. Petersburg has one of the most vibrant and flourishing Jewish communities in Eastern Europe with a rich cultural life, and we are thrilled to be part of it”, said Chaim Chesler, founder of Limmud FSU. “This conference, like all other Limmud FSU conferences, contributes to the Jewish life in the city and leaves a significant impact on the Jewish community members while they are looking to strengthen their Jewish identity.”

Also speaking at the event was Lea Koenig, often called “the First Lady of Israeli Theatre,” who celebrated her 85th birthday with a special party arranged by Limmud FSU.

Like all other Limmud conferences, Limmud FSU in St. Petersburg is egalitarian and pluralistic. The conferences are organized and run entirely by local volunteers who are passionate and enthusiastic about the Limmud mission of strengthening Jewish identity and bringing Jewish learning to Jews of all backgrounds.

Do you Know a socially-minded teen with a passion for repairing the world? The Diller Teen Tikkun Olam Awards is seeking nominations of Jewish teens with exceptional community service/social change projects that embody the value of tikkun olam.

The Helen Diller Family Foundation, based in San Francisco, will recognize up to 15 recipients-up to five from California and 10 from across the US-for its 2015 Diller Teen Tikkun Olam Awards with $36,000 each. Community members can nominate young leaders now through Dec.14, 2014, using a simple online form at www.DillerTeenAwards.org. All Jewish teen volunteers who are 13-19 years old at the time of nomination are eligible.

Since 2007, this annual program of the Helen Diller Family Foundation has recognized 55 Jewish teens with nearly $2 million to further their volunteer projects and education. For questions, contact [email protected] or (415) 512-6432. Again, the deadline for nominations is December 14, 2014.

A special documentary-style video, now available at www.dillerteenawards.org, brings to life the accomplishments, creativity, and passion of the 2014 recipients, including one from Illinois. Past recipients of awards have built soccer fields and water wells to bring people together in war-torn regions, donated textbooks and school supplies to financially strapped schools, collected and distributed shoes to homeless children, changed attitudes about bullying and autism through peer-to-peer programs, and created a community garden. Awardees have also been recognized by the White House and the UN.

The Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) and their network of 153 Jewish Federations across North America-including Chicago-continue to partner with the Helen Diller Family Foundation to inspire and encourage Jewish teen volunteer service nationwide.

“The Diller Teen Tikkun Olam Awards truly help our nation’s brightest young Jewish leaders transform their philanthropic visions into lasting action that embodies the spirit of repairing the world,” said Jerry Silverman, president and CEO of JFNA. “We’re honored to once more support the Helen Diller Family Foundation and its commitment to recognizing and empowering teens whose impact is making a big difference.”