Russian-speaking Jewish Division, JUF

10/07/2026

10/05/2026

Meet Our Special Guest: Jane Tuv

We're excited to welcome Jane Tuv, an award-winning Jewish educator, healing arts facilitator, and founder of Good Seams.

With nearly 20 years of experience in Jewish education and community building, Jane creates inspiring experiences that combine art, mindfulness, storytelling, and Jewish wisdom. Her unique workshops invite participants to slow down, connect with themselves and others, and discover beauty in unexpected places.

Through creative practices such as mosaics, kintsugi, mandalas, and art made from repurposed materials, Jane helps people explore transformation, resilience, and personal growth in a warm and welcoming environment.

Join us for The World Needs Beautiful Things, a special evening of creativity, reflection, and connection. Bring a spouse, partner, parent, or friend and experience the power of transforming something old into something meaningful.

💙 W**e & light appetizers provided
💙 No art experience needed
💙 Meaningful conversation and connection guaranteed

The world needs beautiful things... and beautiful moments shared together. Join us!

Register here: https://www.juf.org/event/rjd-the-world-needs-beautiful-things/

Jane Tuv
linktr.ee/goodseams
IG:

10/02/2026

Meet Sima, Our Vibrant Host of the Holidays on Wheels Program at YachadKidsAcademy !

For those who haven’t yet had the pleasure, we are thrilled to introduce Sima Brodizky , the dynamic host of our beloved Holidays on Wheels program. With her ever-changing hair color reflecting each holiday, Sima’s passion for bringing Jewish culture and traditions into every home is boundless. Her dedication shines through as she continues to visit daycares, sharing her wonderful Sukkot program and love for children.

Give to Sima “❤️” for her incredible work and the joy she brings to our community!

09/29/2026

09/28/2026

Sukkot Family Playdate at Sunberry Orchard!

Thank you to Sun Berry Orchard for helping us host such a wonderful Sukkot Playdate for our families!

It was a joy to come together to celebrate the harvest season, enjoy delicious apples, and appreciate the blessings of nature. We were especially excited to welcome new families and create meaningful connections within our community.

Sukkot reminds us of the importance of gratitude, togetherness, and spending quality time with those we love. Our playdates provide families with an opportunity to reconnect, build friendships, and grow stronger together.

We are grateful for everyone who joined us and look forward to welcoming even more families to future events. Come grow with us, make new friends, and celebrate community together!

09/25/2026

Shabbat Shalom from RJD!

Thank you to everyone who joined us this summer for a beautiful Shabbat evening with the Russian-speaking Jewish community in the city.

We welcomed Shabbat together with candle lighting, meaningful conversations, and the inspiring sounds of Mozart's Requiem. It was wonderful to see new friendships formed, familiar faces reconnect, and our community come together around a shared table.

We are grateful for the opportunity to celebrate Shabbat in such a meaningful way and look forward to gathering again.

09/14/2026

Relive the 12th RJD Family Retreat!

What an unforgettable weekend! From meaningful family experiences and new friendships to joyful activities and lasting memories, the 12th RJD Family Retreat brought our community together in a truly special way. Thank you to all the families, volunteers, and staff who made this retreat so memorable.

Enjoy these highlights and relive the magic with us!

A big thank you to Lifeway Kefir for donating their products during the retreat! Our families enjoyed sampling these healthy and delicious products. We truly appreciate your generosity and support.

08/13/2026

Can you think of 26 uses for a brick? On July 28, the RJD Excelsior Committee hosted a Creative Thinking Workshop featuring Dr. Olga Goldenberg, Associate Professor in the School of Communication and Culture at Columbia College Chicago. Olga guided us through the psychological stages of creative problem-solving with playful exploration and practical, research-backed techniques... one of which led to the last photo in this album being taken thanks to a hole in a brick column!
Shoutout to RJD Excelsior Committee members Yana Lm for leading the event and Vera Ermolinskiy for sharing your recent experience on the JUF Momentum trip to Israel and bringing everyone a taste of Neve Hanna, one of the special organizations visited on the trip.

06/09/2026

What a great first RJD jBbaby Musical Movement class in the suburbs!

Our outdoor summer sessions brought together music, movement, and fresh air—creating a joyful experience for our little ones.

We love seeing Russian-speaking Jewish families connect and build community while their children explore rhythm and sound with our amazing instructors 💛

Can’t wait to see you at our next events!

Thank you The Goddard School for providing such a beautiful space for our classes, and thank you Stages for the professional work—it was an unforgettable experience!

jBabyChicago