Nate Silver
New York Times number-crunching forecaster speaks about why many predictions fail, but some don’t P11
Spertus sharpens its focus on leadership P4
AHAVA’s CEO on her journey to the Dead Sea P10
Judaism, Health, and Healing
Chicago Community Resource Conference P14 Words of Jewish wisdom made visual by artists and designers P20
Calendar and News | March – May 2013 | spertus.edu
Spertus is a partner in serving our community, supported by the Jewish United Fund/ Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago.
Spertus offers dynamic learning opportunities, rooted in Jewish wisdom and culture and open to all. Graduate programs and workshops train future leaders and engage individuals in exploration of Jewish life. Public programs include films, speakers, seminars, concerts, and exhibits—at the Institute’s Michigan Avenue facility, in the Chicago suburbs, and online.
Spertus is closed to the public on Saturdays and these upcoming holidays: Passover Closed Monday, March 25 Closed Tuesday, March 26 Closed Wednesday, March 27 Open Sunday, March 31 until 3 pm Closed Monday, April 1 Closed Tuesday, April 2
Shavuot Open Tuesday, May 14 until 3 pm Closed Wednesday, May 15 Closed Thursday, May 16 Memorial Day Closed Monday, May 27
We love to hear from you. To reach Spertus, visit spertus.edu, email us at info@spertus.edu, or call our general line at 312.322.1700 to be directed to the information you need. Our box office line is open Monday–Thursday, 9:30 am–6 pm, at 312.322.1773.
Thanks to the foresight and philanthropy of many individuals over many years, scholarships are available in these difficult economic times for people who want to participate in select Spertus public programs. Call 312.322.1743 for details. If you are interested in providing scholarship support, we welcome your generosity. Please contact our development office at 312.322.1758.
Cover image: Nate Silver photo by Melissa Ann Pinney, © 2012
Discount Parking $10 with Spertus validation at: at the Essex Inn 8th Street and Michigan (2 blocks south of Spertus). Enter on 8th between Michigan and Wabash.
Follow Spertus on Facebook and Twitter to get exclusive updates, invites, and discounts. The Joyce and Avrum Gray Children’s Center is not currently open to the public. Contact events@spertus.edu if interested in holding an event in this space.
Printed on 30% post-consumer recycled paper.
public programs
At Spertus
Shadows & Sojourners Film Series P7
Public Programs
Contents
Flashbacks: East German Films on Cold War Screens P7 Kenneth Feinberg on Fair Compensation After Tragedy P9
Nate Silver on Why So Many Predictions Fail But Some Don’t P11 Jews and Magic in Medici Florence P13 The Creation of The Pianist of Willesden Lane P13 Germans vs. Russians: The Origins of Chicago’s Organized Jewish Community P15
Exhibits & Collections
Elana Drell Szyfer on Global Vision, Jewish Leadership, and a Woman’s Journey to the Dead Sea P10
Ballots, Babies, and Banners of Peace P15
Judaism and Reproduction P17 Advanced Biblical Hebrew P24 Grantwriting Certificate Workshop P26 Nonprofit Management Graduate Program Info Sessions P27 Prep for Passover P28
Professional Development
Community Resource Conference on Judaism, Health, and Healing P16
Around Town
Shalom Chicago at the Chicago History Museum P19
Jewish Modernists in Chicago P19 Asher Library P18 Voices & Visions P20
Degree Programs
exhibits and collections
news
Letter from Spertus President Hal M. Lewis P4 Student Profile: Louis Stromberg P23 Spertus Fosters Jewish Learners and Leaders P25 Meet Director of Development Nancy Glazer P30 benefits of membership P31
News
Passover at the Spertus Shop P29
Letter from the President I am pleased to share recently announced changes designed to sharpen our mission and focus our work.
Background The great management teacher Peter Drucker argued that the CEO’s job is to “bring the outside in,” to see reality as it is. For this reason, when I became Spertus president I embarked on a listening tour, visiting with people who could help me understand how Spertus was viewed in our diverse communities. The feedback suggested that while Spertus users treasured both our public and academic offerings, many individuals were unaware of who we are and what we do. We had, the experts would tell me, a branding problem. Because I am skeptical of efforts that manipulate opinion, I was not interested in better “spin.” I wished to take this opportunity to examine our values and evaluate our offerings. Today, following a reflective process that involved faculty and alumni, administrators, donors, and community representatives, we are in a position to communicate our work with clarity and purpose.
Building A Vibrant Jewish Community At the heart of Spertus’ mission is a core conviction that has characterized the Jewish people for millennia. Simply stated, we believe that a learning Jewish community is a vibrant Jewish community. The Talmud records a debate in which the rabbis argued the merits of learning versus doing. While some affirmed that Judaism is a religion of practice in which doing trumps learning, the majority upheld Rabbi Akiva’s view that “learning is better, for it leads to action.” Of all the commandments, taught the rabbis, study and learning take precedence over all others. Generations of Jews have understood that quality Jewish life cannot be measured solely by organizational memberships or the amount of money raised. A vibrant Jewish community is one in which Jewish learning is diverse and far-reaching, compelling and inspiring, and not focused only on the young. Like the emergency oxygen in airplanes, if we want to help our children and grandchildren live vibrant Jewish lives, we must begin by taking care of our own needs to learn and grow. And so at Spertus our work now focuses exclusively on learning for adults. Through classes, workshops, exhibits, and public programs, downtown and in the suburbs, we empower young parents with the hands-on training they need to bring Judaism into their home, enable interfaith families to explore Judaism in a non-denominational environment, and offer creative learning opportunities that span the breadth of Jewish interests. Our collections are accessible electronically and onsite so students, academics, and members of the public can advance their professional pursuits, enhance their scholarship, and excite their personal passions.
Strong Leaders Build Strong Communities
What’s In A Name? As part of the effort to sharpen our mission, we have changed our name from Spertus Institute of Jewish Studies to Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning and Leadership. This change communicates Jewish learning as active, expansive, and accessible. While we continue to treasure our academic reputation and the impressive credentials of our professors, we also believe that Jewish learning takes place in numerous ways and diverse settings.
In Judaism, a changed name signifies a changed essence. Such changes are not capricious. So too in our case. Today and in the years ahead, Spertus affirms our commitment to the creation of vibrant communities through dynamic adult learning and the development of future leaders. We are proud to be Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning and Leadership.
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Dr. Hal M. Lewis is President and CEO of Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning and Leadership.
Degree Programs
The addition of the words “and Leadership” embodies our belief that a vibrant Jewish community and a world-class city require first-rate leaders. In an era that cries out for ethical, skilled, and inspiring leaders, Spertus is educating and training board members and executives, fundraisers, program directors, clergy, educators, and academics with the skills they need to transform communal life now and for generations to come.
Professional Development
Going forward, Spertus will introduce innovative academic concentrations to teach leadership to educators, youth workers, and camp counselors. Plans are underway for programs in social entrepreneurship and lay leadership training. Curricular revisions expanding internships and mentoring will sharpen Spertus’ signature blend of theory and practice in nonprofit leadership education. We will intensify our work as a leader in the field, publishing new works of popular and academic concern, hosting think tanks, and welcoming acclaimed experts to our faculty.
Exhibits & Collections
This link between learning and vibrancy compels us to affirm a corollary principle. At Spertus we know that strong leaders build and sustain strong communities. For this reason, we will intensify our efforts to become the place for leadership training in the nonprofit sector, on both the professional and volunteer level, within and beyond the Jewish community. We have laid the groundwork with our graduate programs in Jewish Professional Studies and Nonprofit Management, our cutting-edge work with professional mentoring, our unparalleled Certificate in Jewish Leadership with Northwestern University, and spectacular public programs on important topics for today’s leaders.
Public Programs
I would very much like to hear what you think about this change in nomenclature, focus, and direction. Please feel free to comment on our Facebook page or via Twitter, or to email me directly at president@spertus.edu.
Stars | © DEFA Film Library
Naked Among Wolves | © DEFA Film Library
This series has been made possible by the generous support of the DEFA Foundation and the DEFA Film Library.
Sunday, March 3 at 11 am, 3 pm, and 7 pm at Spertus Institute Stars, Professor Mamlock, Naked Among Wolves March 4, 5, and 6 at 6 pm at the Goethe-Institut The Blum Affair, Rotation, The Axe of Wandsbek
Public Programs
f il m serie s
Shadows and Sojourners
For film and ticket information, please visit: spertus.edu or goethe.de/chicago
Thursday, March 7 at 6 pm at Spertus Institute
Flashbacks: East German Films on Cold War Screens
the world and won international recognition. Barton Byg teaches German and film studies at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where he founded the DEFA Film Library. He has been honored for his efforts to preserve and restore German film.
Free. Reservations requested at filmtalkrsvp@spertus.edu
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Ralf Schenk is an authority on East German film and the Chairman of the DEFA Foundation. A film historian and journalist, he has written key books and articles on East German cinema and served on the jury of the Berlin Film Festival.
Degree Programs
Barton Byg and Ralf Schenk will discuss the international dimensions of German Democratic Republic filmmaking during the Cold War and examine the different perspectives of the two Germanys on anti-Semitism and the Holocaust. Far from being trapped behind the Berlin Wall, East German films were screened around
Professional Development
con v er s at ion | recep t ion
Exhibits & Collections
Shadows and Sojourners is a film series curated by the DEFA Film Library at UMass Amherst and presented by Spertus Institute, the Goethe-Institut Chicago, and the Gene Siskel Film Center. It is the first North American retrospective of East German films on the intertwined themes of German/ Jewish relations, antifascism, and the Holocaust. These films are classics of the East German antifascist tradition seldom seen by U.S. audiences.
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A Dynamic, Thought-Provoking Speaker Series Made possible with the support of the Harvey L. Miller Family Foundation and other generous donors
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Sunday, March 10 at 2 pm
Kenneth Feinberg
Who Gets What: Fair Compensation After Tragedy and Financial Upheaval
Exhibits & Collections
l ec t ure | book signing
Public Programs
Spertus Prime
Kenneth Feinberg is a DC-based attorney who has been pivotal in resolving many of our nation’s most challenging and widely known disputes.
Since then Mr. Feinberg has worked on victims’ compensation for the tragic shooting at Virginia Tech and the BP Deepwater Horizon disaster, among others. He now serves as the Special Master for TARP Executive Compensation (the “pay czar”). His new book is called Who Gets What: Fair Compensation After Tragedy and Financial Upheaval.
We are very pleased that Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky will join us to introduce Mr. Feinberg. Congresswoman Schakowsky, a resident of Evanston, represents Illinois’ 9th Congressional District.
Degree Programs
At Spertus, Mr. Feinberg will speak about the ethical challenges of his work and how he draws on his own Jewish background and experiences.
Professional Development
A specialist in mediation and resolution, Mr. Feinberg directed the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund. He was appointed to this position just days after the attacks and spent three years meeting with the affected families. He did this without pay. He wrote about his experiences in What is Life Worth?: The Unprecedented Effort to Compensate the Victims of 9/11.
Mr. Feinberg’s books will be for sale at this event and he will be signing books after the program. Tickets are $75, $50, & $35. All seats reserved. Buy tickets online at spertus.edu or call 312.322.1773.
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$75 tickets include a special Meet & Greet Reception with Kenneth Feinberg at 1 pm. Get the best seats plus an opportunity to schmooze with Mr. Feinberg in a small-group setting before the main program.
Spertus Prime A Dynamic, Thought-Provoking Speaker Series Made possible with the support of the Harvey L. Miller Family Foundation and other generous donors
l ec t ure | discussion
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Sunday, May 5 at 2 pm
Elana Drell Szyfer
Global Vision, Jewish Leadership, and a Woman’s Journey to the Dead Sea Elana Drell Szyfer is CEO of AHAVA North America and Deputy CEO of AHAVA Dead Sea Laboratories, Inc. An expert marketer known for launching and repositioning prestigious brands, she has increased AHAVA’s North American sales by as much as 50 percent. Among her varied roles, she promotes AHAVA products on HSN (Home Shopping Network), speaks publicly about counteracting anti-Israel propaganda, and serves as a mentor for the Fashion Institute of Technology. Before joining AHAVA, Ms. Szyfer was the Senior VP of Global Marketing for the Estée Lauder Brand. She has also held top-level positions at L’Oreal’s Lancôme Division, Avon, and Prescriptives, a division of Estée Lauder Companies. In 2011, Ms. Szyfer received the National Council of Jewish Women’s “Woman Who Dared” award. In 2012, she was honored by Jewish Women International as one of JWI’s “Women to Watch” and was selected by The Forward as a member of the “Forward 50,” putting her among the most influential Jewish Americans. Tickets $35, $25, and $15. All seats reserved. Buy tickets online at spertus.edu or call 312.322.1773. $35 tickets include a special Meet & Greet Reception with Elana Drell Szyfer at 3 pm. Get the best seats plus an opportunity to schmooze with Ms. Szyfer in a small-group setting following the main program.
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Public Programs
Sunday, May 19 at 1 pm
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Booksigning and Cocktail Reception at 2 pm for all ticket holders | Cash Bar
Nate Silver
Nate Silver is a 34-year-old statistician who gained recognition by developing a system for forecasting the performance of baseball players. In 2007, Mr. Silver began to publish analyses related to the U.S. presidential election. The accuracy of his predictions—in the 2008 and 2012 presidential and congressional elections—won him followers, fans, and commendation.
At Spertus, Mr. Silver will speak about the impact of the Jewish vote in American politics and the art and science of predicting the future.
Degree Programs
He was named one of “The World’s 100 Most Influential People” by Time magazine, and his blog, FiveThirtyEight.com, was licensed for publication by The New York Times. Mr. Silver’s book, The Signal and the Noise: Why So Many Predictions Fail – But Some Don’t, discusses baseball, elections, climate change, the financial crash, poker, and weather forecasting. It was named by Amazon.com as a best book of 2012.
Professional Development
The Signal and the Noise: Why So Many Predictions Fail — But Some Don’t
Exhibits & Collections
l ec t ure | book signing
Mr. Silver’s book will be for sale at this event and he will be signing books after the program. Tickets $50 and $35. All seats reserved. Buy tickets online at spertus.edu or call 312.322.1773.
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A limited number of $15 student tickets are available. Student tickets by phone purchase only. Valid student ID required at the door.
This program is part of the Solomon Goldman Lecture Series, generously endowed by Rose and the late Sidney Shure.
This program made possible with support from the Bernard and Rochelle Zell Center for Holocaust Studies at Spertus. 12
l ec t ure | book signing
Jews and Magic in Medici Florence The Secret World of Benedetto Blanis
Dr. Edward Goldberg is the founder of the Medici Archive Project. He received his PhD from Oxford and taught art history at Harvard. In 2012, he won the International Flaiano Prize for his new book, Jews and Magic in Medici Florence: The Secret World of Benedetto Blanis. $18 | $10 for Spertus members | $8 for students Buy tickets online at spertus.edu or call 312.322.1773.
Monday, April 8 at 7 pm
The Creation of The Pianist of Willesden Lane
Mona Golabek is a pianist and Grammy-nominated recording artist who has appeared at the Hollywood Bowl, the Kennedy Center, and Royal Festival Hall. Her mother, Lisa Jura, is the subject of Ms. Golabek’s acclaimed young adult book, co-written with journalist Lee Cohen, The Children of Willesden Lane. Hershey Felder is a Steinway concert artist, actor, playwright, composer, and producer, acclaimed for productions including George Gershwin Alone. As director, Mr. Felder premiered Mona Golabek in The Pianist of Willesden Lane in 2012. His current projects include An American Story for Actor and Orchestra, I Found My Horn, and Lem.
Ms. Golabek and Mr. Felder’s books and CDs will be on sale and they will be signing them during the reception after the program.
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Tickets $50, $35, and $25. All seats reserved. Buy tickets online at spertus.edu or call 312.322.1773.
Degree Programs
In advance of its run at the Royal George Theatre, Hershey Felder and Mona Golabek give a behind-the-scenes look at The Pianist of Willesden Lane, a stage production about Ms. Golabek’s mother, Lisa Jura. As a young Jewish pianist, Lisa dreamed of a debut at Vienna’s Musikverein concert hall, then had her life upended by the Kindertransport.
Professional Development
l ec t ure | perfor m a nce | recep t ion
Exhibits & Collections
In the 17th century, Jews in Florence’s tiny ghetto struggled to earn a living by any means possible, including loan-sharking, rag-picking, and second-hand dealing. They were often viewed as uncanny with rare supernatural powers. Historian Edward Goldberg shares how businessman and aspiring scholar Benedetto Blanis used this mystical misperception to his advantage, seeking a grand position at the Medici Court and winning the admiration of Don Giovanni de’ Medici.
Public Programs
Tuesday, March 19 at 7 pm
Sewing class at the Jewish Manual Training School, Chicago, June 13, 1892, Spertus collection. The Jewish Manual Training School was established by German Jews in 1890 and championed by Rabbi Dr. Emil G. Hirsch. It provided a free education in general studies, along with vocational training and an emphasis on good citizenship.
Emma Goldman speaking to a crowd of garment workers about birth control in Union Square, New York, 1916. Courtesy of the Jewish Women’s Archive.
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Sunday, April 21 at 2 pm
Germans vs. Russians
The Origins of Chicago’s Organized Jewish Community 1859–1923
Dr. Tobias Brinkmann is Associate Professor of Jewish Studies and History at Penn State University. He is a member of the Academic Council of the American Jewish Historical Society and the Board of the Leo Baeck Institute in London. His most recent publication is Sundays at Sinai: A Jewish Congregation in Chicago.
This is the 2013 Horwitz Family Lecture in Jewish History, generously endowed by the Horwitz Charitable Fund.
l ec t ure | book signing
Thursday, May 2 at 7 pm
Ballots, Babies, and Banners of Peace
Dr. Melissa R. Klapper is professor of history and director of women’s and gender studies at Rowan University. Her research has received awards including from the National Endowment for the Humanities. Her latest book is Ballots, Babies, and Banners of Peace: American Jewish Women’s Activism, 1890-1940.
This is the Norman Asher Memorial Lecture, an annual program that reflects the educational vision of the late Norman Asher, a biblical and Talmudic scholar and leading Chicago attorney and philanthropist. 15
News
$18 | $10 for Spertus members | $8 for students Buy tickets online at spertus.edu or call 312.322.1773.
Degree Programs
At the turn of the twentieth century, American Jewish women were consistently and publicly engaged in all the major issues of their day, including suffrage, birth control, and peace. No history of these movements is complete without analyzing the impact of Jewish women.
Professional Development
$18 | $10 for Spertus members | $8 for students Buy tickets online at spertus.edu or call 312.322.1773.
Exhibits & Collections
Tobias Brinkmann shines light on the early days of Chicago’s Jewish community, a time when organizations that served “German” (Central European) Jews merged with those that served “Russian” (Eastern European) Jews. He’ll assess the charged conflicts between established members of the community and recent immigrants, conflicts that had little to do with actual origins.
Public Programs
l ec t ure | book signing
conf erence
Sunday, April 14 from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm
Join us for a daylong conference addressing issues and providing resources on health-related topics that impact every individual and every family. The conference will feature experts in the fields of healthcare, law, and Jewish studies. The morning will feature sessions on spirituality and health, preventive care and genetic testing, issues related to organ transplants, obsessivecompulsive disorders, legal implications of the debate over circumcision, clinical and pastoral responses in Judaism, issues of abuse, and comparisons of the American and Israeli healthcare systems. The afternoon will include a panel discussion on end-of-life issues, as well as the annual Tulsky Symposium, focused this year on Judaism and Reproduction. Visit spertus.edu for a detailed schedule and list of presenters. Offered by Spertus Institute and the DePaul University College of Law Center for Jewish Law & Judaic Studies, in cooperation with the Jewish Healing Network of Chicago and the Center for Jewish Genetic Disorders, with foundation support through The Charles & M.R. Shapiro Foundation. Deadline for registration is Monday, April 8. $36 | $25 for Spertus members | $15 for students (with student ID). Conference cost includes Tulsky Symposium and kosher boxed lunch. Up to 6.5 General Continuing Legal Education Credits are available. Cost is $54.00 in addition to the pricing above. Register online at spertus.edu or call 312.322.1773.
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Public Programs Exhibits & Collections
t ul sk y s ymp osium
Sunday, April 14 at 2:30 pm
Assisted reproduction raises medical, legal, religious, and personal issues for patients and their families, as well as for healthcare providers, policy makers, and even rabbis. One of the most thoroughly discussed and emotionally volatile of medical technologies today, assisted reproduction is a complex and sensitive subject. For this year’s annual Tulsky Symposium on the Jewish Future, we are pleased to present a panel of distinguished speakers to explore and help unravel key aspects of this important issue. Presenters
Nanette Elster is an attorney and bioethicist with extensive experience in women’s and children’s health, genetics, and assisted reproduction. She serves on the American Bar Association’s Special Committee on Bioethics and Law and is a co-author of Ethical Dilemmas in Fertility Counseling.
Degree Programs
Dr. Elan Simckes is certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology and has more than 20 years of experience helping families grow. For the past 17 years, he has been president and senior partner of Women’s Care and Fertility in St. Louis, where he has cared for more than 5,000 women.
Professional Development
Judaism and Reproduction
Rachel Kohl Finegold is the Education and Ritual Director at Chicago’s Anshe Shalom B’nai Israel Congregation. She received her BA in Religion from Boston University and completed the Scholars Circle program at the Drisha Institute in New York. She is a founding member of the Orthodox Women’s Leadership Project. Tickets for Tulsky Symposium (without full conference) $18 | $10 for Spertus members | $8 for students. Buy tickets online at spertus.edu or call 312.322.1773.
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The Alex and Klara Tulsky Symposium on the Jewish Future is an annual program that focuses on specific challenges facing the American Jewish community. Recent topics have explored identity, diversity, and the meaning of continuity in contemporary Jewish life.
Spertus Collection Highlights on View Highlights from Spertus Institute’s extensive collections of art and archival materials are on view at Spertus and beyond. When you visit Spertus for programs, classes, research, or shopping, view artwork on display and learn about the unique architecture of the award-winning Spertus building in a free self-guided tour. Just stop in the Spertus Shop and ask for your complimentary copy of the tour brochure. Above: From Chapter Seven of Uncovered & Rediscovered: Todros Geller’s South Chicago (City Landscape) (detail), 1946, Spertus Collection
Asher Library Hours Sunday 12 – 4 pm Monday–Thursday 4 – 6:30 pm The Asher Library is closed to the public Fridays and Saturdays.
Asher Library To search the Asher Library catalog, visit spertus.edu. Spertus membership includes Asher Library borrowing privileges, interlibrary loan, and access to our online resources—even if you live out of town. 18
Exhibit at Spertus Through April 26
Jewish Modernists in Chicago
Exhibits at Spertus are free. Exhibits at Spertus are supported in part by a CityArts 4 grant from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, and the Harry and Sadie Lasky Foundation.
Professional Development
d Aroun ! Town
Exhibits & Collections
This final chapter of Spertus’ exhibit series about the Chicago Jewish experience shares the work of Jewish artists active in Chicago between 1920 and 1945. Many of these artists began their careers during the Great Depression as painters for the Works Progress Administration (WPA). The Modernists, as they were called, painted from personal experience and were influenced by the energy of Chicago’s growing metropolis. See works by Todros Geller, A. Raymond Katz, Mitchell Siporin, Fritzi Brod, and others.
Public Programs
e x hibit s a nd col l ec t ions
Exhibit at the Chicago History Museum Through September 2, 2013
Chicago History Museum, 1601 N. Clark Street, Chicago Parking available at the corner of Stockton and LaSalle 312.642.4600 | chicagohistory.org
Degree Programs
Presented in collaboration with Spertus, Shalom Chicago is an exhibit at the Chicago History Museum about the city’s Jewish community. It illustrates the community’s rich history and contributions to Chicago’s growth and development through personal stories, rare artifacts (many on loan from Spertus), and engaging multimedia presentations.
Special offer for Spertus members
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Present your membership card for free admission to the Chicago History Museum through September 2, 2013. Receive discounted pricing on all Shalom Chicago programs, including a Jewish theater series, mah jongg games, tours, and more!
Above, Voices & Visions™ design by Arnold Schwartzman and quote by Susan Sontag. At right, Voices & Visions™ design by Paula Scher and quote by Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel.
Copies of Voices & VisionsTM prints are available for purchase from the Spertus Shop.
Spertus Exhibit Hours Sunday–Wednesday 10 am–5 pm Thursday 10 am–6 pm Friday 10 am–3 pm Closed to the public Saturdays and Jewish and secular holidays. Exhibits at Spertus are free.
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May 12 – August 11, 2013
Voices & VisionsTM
For more information about the Voices & VisionsTM project, visit voices-visions.org.
Exhibits & Collections
In a series of 18 striking images, the words of Jewish luminaries from Maimonides to Susan Sontag are newly interpreted and graphically transformed by renowned artists and designers, such as Milton Glaser, Carin Goldberg, and Seymour Chwast. An initiative of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation, Voices & VisionsTM elicits the power of art to communicate great ideas and inspire reflection and conversation.
Public Programs
e x hibit
Professional Development Degree Programs News
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s t udent ne w s Spertus kvells (Yiddish; beams with pride and pleasure) for alumni Beth Avner and Sam Rodin, who met as students in our Master of Arts in Jewish Professional Studies program and who were married in December. From all of us, best wishes for years of happiness!
Spertus offers rachmones (Yiddish; compassion) to Jewish Studies distance learning student Rabbi David S. Bauman of Temple Israel on Long Island, which was heavily damaged by Hurricane Sandy. A 10-foot storm surge destroyed a chapel, library, and six Torah scrolls. One thing that did survive: a 90-year-old menorah that was then displayed at the White House during Hanukkah as a symbol of perseverance and hope.
Louis Stromberg Louis Stromberg, recently relocated from the DC area, is the first Spertus student to simultaneously take both the Jewish Professional Studies and Nonprofit Management degree tracks. We caught up with him to find out how it’s going so far.
How are you enjoying grad school so far? I love it. There’s a real camaraderie among the students at Spertus and the teachers are great. I think the most interesting class so far has been “Working with People” with Dr. Barry Chazan, because he allows our class to discuss real-life situations that get us thinking and help us form our Jewish identity.
Degree Programs
What do you do in Chicago when you’re not at Spertus? I work for the B’nai B’rith Youth Organization (BBYO) as the Connect and Outreach Coordinator for the Greater Midwest Region. I’m currently planning a volunteer project with Bernie’s Book Bank, an organization that gives books to children in need. BBYO will also be working with The Gan Project, a Chicago-based Jewish environmental education project with a community garden.
Professional Development
What made you decide to enroll in both programs at the same time? You’re the first one in Spertus history to do this. I started thinking more seriously about what career I want. I would love to work for the JCC. So I reached out to JCC Association President and CEO Alan Finkelstein and asked him, “How can I have your job?” He told me I needed the understanding of nonprofit management as well as Jewish leadership training, and recommended Spertus. So here I am.
Exhibits & Collections
Where are you from originally? I’m from Buffalo, NY, and graduated from Arizona State in 2010 with a degree in psychology. After college, I worked as a pre-k teacher for the Washington DC Jewish Community Center (JCC). I moved to Chicago in August to earn a dual master’s degree in Jewish Professional Studies and Nonprofit Management. I started both programs in September.
Public Programs
s t udent prof il e
Why do you want a career in the Jewish Community? The Jewish people need to understand that they’re a small community, and it’s important to band together.
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The Spertus Master of Science in Nonprofit Management announces a new concentration in Jewish Communal Services. Visit spertus.edu/nonprofit/concentration-areas to learn more.
5000+ years of Jewish learning Fresh, contemporary relevance for you and your career
“I have been able to take what I learned in each class and use it to enhance the work I am doing professionally.� Michael Waitz, Director of Centennial Development at Alpha Epsilon Pi Fraternity
10 - w eek cour se
Wednesdays, 6 to 8:30 pm April 3 through June 12
Advanced Biblical Hebrew Winter Session with Dr. Bernard Grossfeld Tuition $350 | $315 for Spertus members and alumni Pre-registration requested. Call 312.322.1726. 24
Master of Arts in Jewish Professional Studies
Visit spertus.edu/MAJPS to learn more.
The Certificate in Jewish Leadership A partnership between Spertus Institute and Northwestern University, this professional development program combines Jewish scholarship with leading ideas from the business world. Participants—both professional and volunteer leaders working for and with Jewish organizations—learn to motivate stakeholders, improve collaboration, achieve organizational goals, and plan and execute for the future. Applications now being accepted for the 2013 cohort.
Distance Learning
Visit spertus.edu/JewishStudies to learn more.
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Spertus Master’s and Doctoral programs in Jewish Studies are offered through distance learning, with onsite seminars held in winter and spring. This year’s seminars take place March 3-7 and July 7-11. Students from across the U.S. and a handful of other countries will come to Spertus for courses in Jewish history, thought, and culture, accompanied by study of classical Jewish texts. Applications for Jewish Studies programs are accepted all year, but the seminars offer a great time to begin.
Degree Programs
Visit spertus.edu/Certificate-Jewish-Leadership to learn more.
Professional Development
prof e sion a l de v el opment progr a m
Exhibits & Collections
This acclaimed program brings Jewish professionals together to study the cutting-edge issues in contemporary Jewish life, advancing their career opportunities and enhancing the contributions they bring to Jewish organizations. Students graduate having grown personally and professionally, having cultivated critical leadership skills, built strong communal links, and gained insight into how to meet community needs. The program is offered in a cohort model, in Chicago and select other cities across North America. This year, Spertus will be offering new customtailored concentration areas in Jewish education, Jewish camping and experiential education, nonprofit management, and Jewish studies.
Public Programs
degree progr a m
“This degree is going to let me move up in the nonprofit sector.” Angelica Guerrero, Spertus MS in Nonprofit Management program student
prof e ssion a l de v el opment
Thursday, April 11 from 9 am to 4 pm
Grantwriting Certificate Workshop You can help your organization secure funds by learning the essentials of grantwriting. Grantwriting isn’t just about completing an application for a grant. It is also about understanding the perspectives of foundations and corporations that invite grant proposals from nonprofit organizations. This certificate workshop is perfect for nonprofit professionals and volunteers. It will teach you how to research funders, frame project goals in relation to grant guidelines, and compete in the grant funding process. You’ll complete the workshop with the tools you need to write successful grants. This open-to-the-public workshop is taught by Dr. Karin Baird, Advisor, Faculty Chair, and Acting Director of the Spertus Master of Science in Nonprofit Management degree program. Dr. Baird has been teaching nonprofit professionals at Spertus for more than a dozen years, sharing her own considerable expertise in the nonprofit arena. Limited class size. Reservations are on a first-come, first-served basis. $149 ($129 for Spertus members, students, and alumni) Includes kosher lunch. Reserve online at spertus.edu or call 312.322.1773 . Attendees of Grantwriting Workshop receive a certificate of completion. Participation is applicable for 6.5 CFRE points in Category 1.B. 26
Master of Science in Nonprofit Management Learn. Lead. Inspire.
A pragmatic and relevant education designed for nonprofit leaders Cohort model that promotes collaborative learning and peer support Effective, dynamic faculty with real-world experience and academic distinction 67% of MSNM Alumni report promotion or better job within 1 year of graduation As an MSNM student, you can select a concentration area of independent project to tailor the program to your specific interests. Concentration areas include:
Applications being accepted now for spring, summer, and fall cohorts.
Join us for an upcoming Information Session
Degree Programs
Fundraising Management Human Services Administation Jewish Communal Services This new concentration focuses on Jewish leadership, community, and values in the contact of a career in the nonprofit sector.
Professional Development
Students of all backgrounds have access to Spertus’ world-class faculty and highly applicable curriculum. Course topics range from strategic planning to revenue development, providing experiences you can immediately put to use in your current role and that pave the way for career development. Our graduates go on to create change as nonprofit administrators, fundraisers, political officials, grassroots organizers, community advocates, educators, and social entrepreneurs.
Exhibits & Collections
At Spertus Institute, we believe that strong leaders build and sustain strong communities. Whether you’re seeking to effect local change or global impact, the place to start is with the Spertus Master of Science in Nonprofit Management (MSNM) program. The MSNM program is offered in three convenient formats: a one-evening-per-week program, an accelerated evening program, and an accelerated daytime format.
Public Programs
degree progr a m
Monday, March 11 at 6 pm Monday, April 8 at 6 pm Monday, May 6 at 6 pm Visit Spertus.edu/nonprofit to RSVP or learn more.
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Can’t attend an Information Session? Call or email to set up an individual meeting. We can even set up a coffee date near your office. Contact Susan Greenwald at sgreenwald@spertus.edu or 312.322.1707.
sper t us is cook ing
Wednesday, March 6 at 6:30 pm
Prep for Passover with Chef Laura Frankel
Are you a Passover veteran, planning your first seder, or somewhere in between? Let Chef Laura Frankel show you how to put together a fun and delicious Passover! Learn creative, delectable, versatile recipes for seders and all through the festival. Following the program, Chef Laura will sign copies of her books, Jewish Cooking for All Seasons and Jewish Slow Cooker Recipes, available for purchase. $25 | $18 for Spertus members. Includes take-home copies of the featured recipes. Buy tickets online at spertus.edu or call 312.322.1773.
Spertus Kosher Catering
At Our Place or Yours Spertus Kosher Catering featuring Cuisine by Wolfgang Puck brings together two premier organizations, both dedicated to creativity and excellence. Chicago’s most noted kosher chef Laura Frankel serves as executive chef, preparing adventurous and gourmet kosher cuisine using the freshest ingredients. Whether you are planning a simcha our awardwinning Venue Six10 facility, hosting guests in your home, or congregating colleagues in a special venue or just at the office, our event staff is here for you! Visit venuesix10.com or call 312.322.1718 to start planning your event!
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The Spertus Shop
Chicago’s go-to place for all things Jewish.
Public Programs
Passover begins at sundown on Sunday, March 25.
We’re delighted to offer handmade and eco-friendly goods to celebrate Passover and bring in the spring.
Exhibits & Collections
Eco Tree Hangers by Chicago-based entrepreneur Adam Hyman, set of 5 for $10
Glass Seder Plate by Israeli Artist Hanna Bahral, $90
Michigan Avenue curbside pick-up is available for phone orders. Call in an order and we’ll deliver it to your car window so you don’t have to park!
Degree Programs
Free ground shipping on orders over $100.
Professional Development
Savannah Bee Natural Honey, 20 oz. for $28
Our knowledgeable staff can help you select just the right gift for any simcha, baby naming, bar or bat mitzvah, wedding, or holiday.
Special discount of 20% for all Spertus members during the month of March, on everything except special orders. Your purchases support Spertus programs, helping foster Jewish culture and education. The Spertus Shop is endowed by George and Mae Bariff. 29
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Spertus Shop Hours Sunday–Monday 10 am–5 pm Wednesday 10 am–5 pm Thursday 10 am–6 pm Friday 10 am–3 pm Tuesday and Saturday Closed
ne w s
Spertus welcomes Nancy Glazer, our new Director of Development To Nancy Glazer, building a vibrant learning Jewish community is what her work is all about.
Nancy Glazer grew up with four siblings and a large extended family in Shaker Heights, Ohio. Her parents were very involved with their synagogue, introducing her from an early age to the important work Jewish organizations do for the community. Putting this belief into practice, she began her career with the Jewish Federation of Greater Orange County in New York, then moved on to roles including campaign director for the Jewish Federation of Greater Indianapolis and vice president of the Columbus Jewish Federation. She moved to Chicago in 2009 to be nearer to her children and young grandchildren (although we have trouble believing she’s really a grandmother). Before taking the position at Spertus, she served as director of advancement for the Solomon Schechter Day School of Metropolitan Chicago. “For me, it is a privilege to have the opportunity to continue serving the Jewish community through my work at Spertus,” she said. “Spertus has been a trusted and respected institution since 1924—in Chicago and communities around the world. I look forward to helping our donors foster Jewish learning and leadership through the important work Spertus does.” “I have been extremely impressed by the outstanding and varied programs Spertus offers. I am most looking forward to building new relationships to help sustain and grow these dynamic learning opportunities that enrich the lives of our visitors and educate new leaders who go on to invigorate the community,” she said.
If you are interested in learning more about opportunities to support Spertus, please feel free to contact Nancy Glazer at nglazer@spertus.edu or 312.322.1262.
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r tu s Net $ 50 v id u al $ 60 H ou s e ho ld $ 75* A ss o ciate $10 0
Sp e
Enjoy the Benefits of Jewish Learning and Culture!
I ndi
Become a Spertus Member Today
Public Programs
benef it s of member ship
Library borrowing privileges 10% discount in the Spertus Shop Discounts on tickets to performances, lectures, author events, and more Discount on mini-courses and workshops
Exhibits & Collections
Online access to the full-text databases of more than a thousand books and tens of thousands of journal articles
Benefits for two people and a second member card Recognition as a donor in print and online
All membership contributions are 100% tax deductible. To become a member, visit donate.spertus.edu/membership. Please call 312.322.1777 or email membership@spertus.edu for more information.
Professional Development
*Adults over 65 are eligible to receive a Household membership at a discounted rate of $40.
Double Your Gift
Tributes and Memorial Giving Are Special Ways to Express Love and Gratitude
Degree Programs
A challenge grant from an anonymous donor will match your new or increased gift dollar-for-dollar through June 26, 2013. For more information, please contact 312.322.1758.
Searching for a meaningful way to celebrate a special person or occasion? Make a contribution in honor or remembrance of someone remarkable in your life. Spertus will send a card acknowledging your tribute to the contact person you designate.
You can make a tribute gift online at donate.spertus.edu or call 312.322.1758. 31
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Do you have a special celebration coming up? Request that donations be made to Spertus in lieu of gifts for your wedding, birthday, anniversary, or bar and bat mitzvah.
Do you prefer to receive your Spertus calendar by email? We are glad to accommodate. Let us know at guiltfree@spertus.edu or 312.322.1721. We’ll even take your name off our list altogether if you prefer (although we hope you’ll stay in touch).
Be Green!
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Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage