Chicago Jewish Historical Society

08/20/2026

***Uncovering Hidden Records With Michael Zmora and Future Programs***

Dear Chicago Jewish Historical Society (CJHS) members and friends,

Just a quick reminder about the upcoming program “From the Basement of the Shul to the Basement of City Hall: Uncovering the Hidden Records of Oak Park’s Jewish Community.”

Where: Temple Beth-El, 3610 Dundee Road, Northbrook
When: Sunday, August 30, 2 p.m.
Presenter: Michael Zmora, attorney, Oak Park historian, and author of several Chicago Jewish History articles
Co-sponsors: Chicago Jewish Historical Society and Jewish Genealogical Society of Illinois

Zmora, who has published in Chicago Jewish History a two-part article about the Jewish history of his hometown, Oak Park, along with, most recently, an article about the Jewish history of neighboring Maywood, will guide us through his research process and share tips on best practices to unearth vital information during our own research projects.

Doors will open at 12:30 p.m., followed, at 1 p.m., by a social hour and refreshments. The program will start promptly at 2 p.m.

Register for the program here: https://vqdqbb.clicks.mlsend.com/tf/cl/eyJ2Ijoie1wiYVwiOjc3NDA1MCxcImxcIjoxOTYyMzE0NDU0NzIwODUyMzAsXCJyXCI6MTk2MjMxNTQxMzQ4NjMxNTk0fSIsInMiOiJjZjUyZjFjY2I3MDk5MWViIn0

While a Zoom option is available, we hope that you will join us in person for what promises to be a lively, illuminating presentation.

In addition, we are excited to share with you two fall programs: On Thursday, October 8, CJHS will be hosting a Chicago Architecture Center tour, “Jewish Builders of Chicago,” at 11:30 a.m., and on Sunday, November 1, journalist and producer Dan Protess will provides updates to his original WTTW program “Jewish Chicago 1833 to 1948 and Jewish Chicago 1948 and Beyond.” Stay tuned for details and registration information.

We look forward to seeing you on August 30.

Sincerely,

Dr. Rachelle Gold
President

Rabbi Moshe Simkovich
Vice President

08/17/2026

"Food icon: Gino Gambarota, the mustachioed maestro of mile-high corned beef sandwiches at Manny’s in Chicago" in the Chicago Tribune:

He’s honed his sharp banter as a meat slicer for more than 43 years behind the counter.

08/16/2026

"Remembering Haym Salomon, the Revolutionary War hero memorialized in Chicago" by Rabbi Michael Siegel in the Chicago Sun-Times

https://chicago.suntimes.com/other-views/2026/08/14/haym-salomon-jewish-polish-jewish-immigrant-american-revolution-michael-siegel?fbclid=IwdGRjcATs2eljbGNrBOzZ4nBkb2YBZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMzUwNjg1NTMxNzI4AAEefXKI8n5IgiVq-UQ1va2tOsebH2XBHwdG6h8OV-qUy814q5bWJpuhP0VAglE_aem_7sPk9vEsUgI3GCAalAUtMw

08/15/2026

Stephen Arthur has ancestors from Holland who settled in Chicago. He made an inquiry to us about them.

Read the article about his bike trip, concluding in Chicago, to retrace his ancestors' migration in the Midwest.

https://www.ottawanewsnetwork.org/cyclist-traveling-from-detroit-to-chicago-makes-stop-in-holland/

08/13/2026

Honoring Julius Rosenwald on his birthday, August 12th

For many people, birthdays are little more than markers of time and an opportunity to celebrate and receive gifts. For Julius Rosenwald, it was an opportunity to give.

07/20/2026

***Congregation Kol Emeth in Skokie has new leadership and owns the building it uses***

Read about the legacy of Congregation Bene Shalom, Hebrew Association of the Deaf and Hearing, formerly of Skokie, that closed in January 2026.

The synagogue building at 4435 W. Oakton was sold to its tenant, Congregation Kol Emeth. The new rabbi, chazan, and spiritual leader of Kol Emeth is Sarah Alexander.

https://www.kolemethskokie.org/

07/16/2026

Now is the best time to join the Chicago Jewish Historical Society! More information in the image below.

https://chicagojewishhistory.org/become-a-member/

07/07/2026

Happy 250th birthday, United States of America.

Did you know that the establishment of the Chicago Jewish Historical Society was inspired by the 1976 U.S. Bicentennial?

https://chicagojewishhistory.org/

06/11/2026

***From Chicago Jewish Historical Society member and tour guide Matthew Schlerf***

Schedule of 4 different Jewish historic Chicago walking tours from his company "Shpatz"

Chicago Shpatz is an experimental theater company created by Chicago artists Matthew Schlerf and Sivan Spector. The word shpatz is a Yiddish pun based on the words shpatzir ("stroll") and shpas ("joke"). Chicago Shpatz specializes in immersive, site-specific and environmental theater, blurring the l...

05/29/2026

***Meyer Levin: A Forgotten American Jewish Writer and the Controversy Over Anne Frank***

Meyer Levin (1905-1981) was born and grew up in Chicago.

A novelist, journalist, filmmaker and passionate Zionist activist, Levin left behind a rich and influential body of work. Today, however, he is remembered primarily for one dramatic chapter in his life: his role in bringing "The Diary of Anne Frank" to international attention, and the painful public...