Blog
Breaking Barriers: A Reflection on Jewish Disability Awareness, Acceptance & Inclusion Month
As we honor Jewish Disability Awareness, Acceptance & Inclusion Month in February, I reflect on my own experiences with these themes over my life and at JCC Chicago. I grew up in West Rogers Park, just blocks from Bernard Horwich JCC. I remember swimming in the pool with friends, playing on the softball team, spending […] Learn More ›
Hope Is A Story
“Story, as it turns out, was crucial to our evolution — more so than opposable thumbs. Opposable thumbs let us hang on; story told us what to hang on to.” –Story coach Lisa Kron, author of Wired for Story I’ve been in love with storytelling for as long as I can remember. My first time […] Learn More ›
Hanukkah Family Fun: Ideas To Celebrate The Festival Of Lights This Shabbat
Happy Hanukkah! This Shabbat is a very special one because not only do we get to celebrate the end of a week; we get to celebrate Hanukkah! As you gather with your family and friends, we are sharing some fun ways to get in the holiday spirit this Shabbat. Whether you want to do a […] Learn More ›
Violins, Volunteers, and the Message of Hope
Tish Calhamer pictured with Avshi Weinstein, 4/24/2023 Violins of Hope Grand Opening This week marks World Kindness Day and JCC Chicago is proud to showcase many of the ways we continue to promote themes of kindness, community and hope. JCC Chicago hosted Violins of Hope Chicago, a collection of more than 70 string instruments played […] Learn More ›
Growing Hope
“The deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust.” – President Biden, October 11, 2023 From April to September 2023, JCC Chicago hosted the most expansive and longest running Violins of Hope project since the founding of the initiative in 2006. Violins of Hope is a collection of Holocaust-era stringed instruments that have been rescued and […] Learn More ›