Jewish American Heritage Month
May is Jewish American Heritage Month in the U.S., a time to explore and celebrate many of the contributions of Jewish culture here in Skokie and beyond. You can also browse our reading lists.
Upcoming Events
Friday Film: A Real Pain
Friday, May 23, 2025, 1:30 pm
Two estranged American cousins embark on a Jewish tour through Poland to honor their recently deceased grandmother.
She wanted them to connect with their heritage and see the home she fled when the Nazis came to power.
Starring Jesse Eisenberg and Kieran Culkin. Written and directed by Jesse Eisenberg.
2024 -- 90 minutes -- R for language throughout and some drug use -- Drama
Friday Film: A Real Pain
Friday, May 23, 2025, 6:30 pm
Two estranged American cousins embark on a Jewish tour through Poland to honor their recently deceased grandmother.
She wanted them to connect with their heritage and see the home she fled when the Nazis came to power.
Starring Jesse Eisenberg and Kieran Culkin. Written and directed by Jesse Eisenberg.
2024 -- 90 minutes -- R for language throughout and some drug use -- Drama
Honoring Julius Rosenwald
Tuesday, May 27, 2025, 7:00 pm
Learn more about the legacy and impact of Julius Rosenwald. Registration recommended as space is limited.
Presented by Jewish Neighborhood Development Council of Chicago and Chicago Jewish Historical Society, this presentation will feature a showing of “From Sears to Eternity: The Julius Rosenwald Story,” a 30-minute documentary recounting Rosenwald’s spectacular rise to success as he built Sears Roebuck into America’s leading mail-order catalogue and the philanthropy that defines his legacy.
Produced for WTTW’s Chicago Stories series by JNDC Board President Beverly Siegel, the show explores the impact of Rosenwald’s Jewish faith on his philanthropy, the founding of the Museum of Science and Industry, and his historic contributions to Chicago, the Jewish community, and to the lives of Black Americans.
Following the viewing, there will be a brief presentation on a nationwide campaign to create a national park in Rosenwald’s honor, which would be the first national park to honor a Jewish American.
After the event, view the photo exhibit produced by JNDC and CJHS chronicling Jewish West Rogers Park, the oldest Jewish community in the history of Chicago, in the Radmacher Gallery.
Light kosher refreshments will be provided.
Register for the event through JNDC. For more information about the program and related exhibit, contact Ellen Doppelt.
Past Events
Jewish Comfort Food: Babka
Thursday, May 15, 2025, 6:30 pm
Learn about the history of babka with children's book author and comfort food enthusiast, Arianna Brooks, and immerse yourself in the babka experience by making your own babka.
While it is baking in the oven, learn about babka's history and why you can't beat a babka.
For age 8-12 with an adult. Registration required for each participant.
Introduction to Jewish Genealogy
Wednesday, May 7, 2025, 5:30 pm
Why is genealogy important to me? We'll learn the personal value of connecting with our roots, then explore what is unique about Jewish genealogy, what we're looking for, and how to get started.
The rewards of this effort are many, lasting a lifetime and beyond.
Speaker Mike Karsen is a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists, the Genealogical Speakers Guild, and is past president of the Jewish Genealogical Society of Illinois. He has presented more than 300 talks on genealogy topics locally, nationally, and internationally, including at the Newberry Library and Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning and Leadership in Chicago.
Bilingual Hebrew Storytime and Craft: שעת סיפור ויצירה עברית דו-לשונית
Tuesday, May 6, 2025, 10:30 am
Read books, enjoy an activity, and have fun in English and Hebrew during this bilingual storytime with local author Arianna Brooks. Drop-in event for families with kids 6 and younger.
בואו לקרוא בספרים, ליהנות מפעילות ולעשות חיים באנגלית ובעברית במהלך שעת סיפור דו-לשונית עם הסופרת המקומית אריאנה ברוקס. אירוע פתוח למשפחות עם ילדים בגיל 6 ומטה.