Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning and Leadership | spertus.edu
September – November 2016
News & Events The Ground Level Arts Lab opens with new works by Chicago-area Jewish artists
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The Story of Israeli Cinema P25 Jewish Professional Studies program celebrates 10 years! Alumni include professionals from 86 Jewish organizations in three countries P11
Master Classes and Workshops P13 Meet new Chairman of the Spertus Board Peter Bensinger, Jr. P28
Uncharitable
Hear activist and TED Talk star Dan Pallotta on changing the ways we think about charity P8
A partner with the Jewish United Fund in serving our community Spertus Institute 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, and concerts—at the Institute’s Michigan Avenue facility, in the Chicago suburbs, and online.
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. Our box office line is open Sunday–Thursday, 10 am-4 pm at 312.322.1773. Follow Spertus on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn to get exclusive updates, invites, and discounts.
Discount Parking Several discount parking options are available. For details, check the Spertus website at spertus.edu/visit
Accessibility Spertus welcomes all visitors and is committed to making its facilities and programs accessible to people with special needs. Elevator access is available to all areas of the building. Please let the box office know of any special needs or requests when you purchase program tickets. Printed on 30% post-consumer recycled paper. Cover image: Under the Sun (detail), 2016, Ellen Holtzblatt. Photo by Tom Nowak.
Public Program Scholarships Thanks to the foresight and philanthropy of many individuals over many years, scholarships are available 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 312.322.1731.
Learning
Contents News Letter from the President P4 Bringing Home Gold P5
Leadership
Spertus Welcomes our Inaugural Executive Cohort P7 10 Years of Training Leaders P11 Lifelong Jewish Learning, Amplified and Multiplied P16 Spertus Institute Welcomes Chairman Peter Bensinger, Jr. and a Foursome of New Trustees P28
Arts & Culture
Professional Development from the Center for Jewish Leadership Uncharitable: How We Stifle Nonprofit Success P8 Certificate in Jewish Leadership P12 Social Media Boot Camp P13 Personal Branding Master Class P13 Meeting Facilitation Workshop P15 Grantwriting Workshop P15
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Fundraising Workshop P15
Degree Programs MA in Jewish Professional Studies P11 Masters and Doctoral Programs in Jewish Studies P19
Programs and Events Resources
Opening of the Ground Level Arts Lab P21 Voices of Wisdom | New Work from the Midwest Jewish Artists Lab P23 Spertus in the Suburbs | The Story of Israeli Cinema P24 2016 One Book | One Community Selection P27 eBooks from the Asher Library P27
Calendar
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Sponsorship, Support, and Membership Thank You to Our Sponsors P29 New Benefits of Membership P31
Support Spertus
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Letter from the President Twice a year the Jewish calendar forces us to confront the challenges and significance of renewal. In the spring, the Festival of Passover combines the themes of nature’s renewal with our rebirth as a people. Half a year later, the High Holy Days—Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur—offer a more existential message of renewal, with emphasis on personal transformation. At Spertus during this High Holy Day season, we are mindful of the need for continued renewal. I have written previously of our commitment to institutional heshbon ha’nefesh (introspection) and change. Rather than laurel-resting, our desire is programmatic renewal. We seek to meet the needs of our students and patrons with new models of high-quality Jewish learning unbound by geography or temporal restraints. We pursue expanded efforts to develop communal leaders capable of responding to our highly volatile Jewish world. Here are some examples: In September, our Ground Level Arts Lab will open in the space formerly known as the Spertus Shop. The Lab is designed to provide every visitor to Spertus a unique introduction to Jewish arts and culture. We have expanded our highly regarded MA in Jewish Professional Studies degree (offered in Chicago, Pittsburgh, and Milwaukee, and internationally in Canada and Israel) to now include an Executive Program for experienced communal leaders. Our inaugural cohort includes professionals from Chicago, Cleveland, New Jersey, New York, Toronto, and Washington, DC. Our Center for Jewish Leadership (now in its third year) continues to expand its programming. This fall, the fifth local cohort of our Certificate in Jewish Leadership (sponsored jointly with Northwestern University) will begin. In the spring, for the first time, the program will also be offered to students across North America through a combination of virtual technology and on-campus workshops. On November 20, the Center for Jewish Leadership will welcome Dan Pallotta for a presentation and panel discussion. Pallotta is an entrepreneur, author, and humanitarian activist who has altered the standard of what it means to lead in the nonprofit sector.
Learning
Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning and Leadership | spertus.edu
Bringing Home Gold
March – August 2016
News & Events Meet a new generation of Jewish leaders P4
2-for-1 coupon for select programs P3
Expressions of Jewish Culture Spertus brings three renowned Jewish art experts to Evanston P15
Leadership
Brundibar Revisited Chicago film premiere of a story that must be told P19
We are pleased and proud to announce that the Spring-Summer issue of Spertus News & Events received a Gold Hermes Creative Award, honoring the messengers and creators of traditional and emerging media. Thank you to our skilled and creative team, and to all of you who provided input on the new content and design.
Arts & Culture News
In this season of transition, allow me to end on a personal note. After four years of incredible service, Mark F. Mehlman’s term as Chairman of the Spertus Board has ended. Mark served Spertus with distinction and class. During his term we completed our financial turnaround, and we owe him an enormous debt of gratitude.
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At the same time, we welcome our new Board Chairman, Peter Bensinger, Jr. Peter is an impassioned Spertus advocate and a leader in the Jewish and general communities of Chicago. He is energetic, thoughtful, and enormously capable. I extend my gratitude to both Peter and Mark for their dedicated service. To all of you, may 5777 usher in a year of good health, happiness, and renewal. L’shana tova tikateivu.
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Dr. Hal M. Lewis is President and CEO of Spertus Institute.
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Read The Leading Edge, Dr. Hal M. Lewis’ blog about Jewish leadership, at spertus.edu/leading-edge
Spertus Welcomes the Inaugural Cohort of the Executive MA in Jewish Professional Studies
Back row, left to right: Genevieve Gandal, Director, Chicago Region, Jewish National Fund Michael Soberman, Senior Educational Consultant and Director of the iFellows Masters Concentration in Israel Education, The iCenter for Israel Education, Toronto, Canada and Chicago, IL Cindy Sher, Executive Editor, JUF News, Chicago, IL Gilon Rubanenko, Chief Operating Officer, Mandel Jewish Community Center, Beachwood, OH Marna Goldwin, Director of Advancement, Bernard Zell Anshe Emet Day School, Chicago, IL Front row, left to right: Ariella Saperstein, Israel Program Officer, The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust, New York, NY Katie Rich, Director of Admissions and Community Engagement, Bernard Zell Anshe Emet Day School, Chicago, IL Salina Greene, Asylum Officer, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Washington, DC Aya Inbar Shechter, Israeli Center Director, Kaplan JCC on the Palisades, Tenafly, NJ
Supported by a generous grant from the Crown Family
Learning
Executive Excellence
Leadership
Many have long recognized that a dearth of specially trained leaders is a challenge in Jewish organizational life. This is particularly true at the executive level, where, for a variety of reasons, adequate training and professional development opportunities are often difficult to come by. Yet research shows that investment in leadership development pays dividends. The Executive MAJPS program is tailored to fill this void.
Arts & Culture
The participants in the inaugural cohort of this new program are studying with experts from around the world who understand both the theory and practice of leading in today’s highly complex Jewish world. Together, they are gaining the expertise to anticipate community needs and opportunities, inspire excellence in staff and trustees, and face new challenges from positions of strength. To accommodate the time demands faced by executives, the curriculum is delivered through a blend of onsite seminars and online modules. The program includes leadership assesment, executive coaching, and an individual project tailored to the needs of participants’ own workplaces.
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The program began with a two-day seminar, titled This American Jewish Life, taught by one of the preeminent scholars of contemporary Jewry, Dr. Steven M. Cohen. Dr. Cohen is a professor at Hebrew Union College–Jewish Institute of Religion and Director of the Berman Jewish Policy Archive at Stanford University. A noted sociologist, he was the lead researcher on the Jewish Community Study of New York and a consultant to the recently conducted Pew study of American Jews. The second seminar, The Role of Israel in Jewish Life, was taught by Dr. Rachel Fish, Associate Director of Schusterman Center for Israel Studies at Brandeis University.
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Spertus congratulates the participants in this unprecedented program, who realize that professional growth is imperative for those who lead the Jewish world of today and tomorrow.
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To find out about the next cohort of the Executive MAJPS program, contact Tal Rosen, Director of the Center for Jewish Leadership, at trosen@spertus.edu or 312.322.1711
Dan Pallotta will change the way you think about changing the world Uncharitable: How We Stifle Nonprofit Success Sunday, November 20 at 1 pm Activist and fundraiser Dan Pallotta calls into question our fundamental beliefs about philanthropy. He exposes why asking “What percentage of my donation goes to the cause?” is a deeply flawed and dangerously misleading way to evaluate nonprofit organizations. In calling out the double standard by which nonprofits are rewarded for how little they spend, Pallotta puts a new cause on the map: equal economic rights for charity. He urges us to champion organizations with ambitious goals and game-changing accomplishments, just as we do in business, even when that comes with a longer time frame and larger price tag.
REcharitable: Leaders Look at Ways to Advance Nonprofit Success After an intermission, Spertus President and CEO Dr. Hal M. Lewis will lead a panel discussion with recognized leaders from the nonprofit and philanthropic communities. They will explore how Pallotta’s work can change the ways that organizations—both within and beyond the Jewish community—accomplish their goals.
$20 I $15 for Spertus members, students, and alumni Advance tickets purchases by November 2 highly recommended. Purchase your tickets at spertus.edu or call 312.322.1773. Groups of ten or more get the member price, so bring your colleagues, trustees, partners, and employees. Sponsored by
Learning
Supported by a generous grant from the Crown Family
Leadership Arts & Culture Resources Support Spertus
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Events
Photo courtesy Joshua Tucker | RED
Dan Pallotta is the bestselling author of Uncharitable: How Restraints on Nonprofits Undermine Their Potential. A William J. Clinton Distinguished Lecturer and regular contributor to the Harvard Business Review, he is a prolific speaker about philanthropy and innovation. Stanford Social Innovation Review said that Uncharitable, “deserves to become the nonprofit sector’s new manifesto.” Pallotta’s iconic TED Talk—titled The Way We Think About Charity is Dead Wrong—has been viewed nearly 4 million times.
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This presentation is for corporate executives, nonprofit professionals, philanthropists, funders, volunteers, and students, as well as anyone who cares about breaking down barriers to solve the tough challenges of today.
Clockwise from top: The Israeli cohort of MAJPS at a special dinner hosted by Spertus President Dr. Hal M. Lewis; MAJPS graduate Lia Goldfarb; MAJPS graduate Chris Herman; MAJPS students and graduates (from left) Josh Gibbs, Nasya Miller, Lynnley Rothenberg, and Daniel Cohen; MAJPS graduate Lisette Zaid; MAJPS graduates Ali Drumm and Sam Rodin
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Celebrating 10 years, 134 students and alumni, working in 86 organizations, in 20 Jewish communities, across 3 countries!
Leadership Arts & Culture
Spertus Institute’s Master of Arts in Jewish Professional Studies (MAJPS) program is now an established example of world-class, career-boosting Jewish education. First piloted in Chicago nearly ten years ago, the program advances the professional skills and Jewish knowledge of those working for and with the Jewish community. MAJPS has proven to be so influential for graduates and their organizations that it is now offered in Jewish communities worldwide. Today, citywide cohorts are being offered around the US and international cohorts are underway in Canada and Israel. What accounts for MAJPS success? Non-traditional programs geared toward busy, working adults Emphasis on application of learning
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Distinguished faculty Professional mentoring as a component of the program Can be completed in just over two years Do you work for a Jewish organization? Want to work in the Jewish community? Have staff members who you want to see succeed as Jewish professionals?
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The next Chicago MAJPS cohort begins September 11, 2016.
Fellowships Available Do you work at least 15 hours per week serving the Jewish community? If so, you may be eligible for a Midcareer Fellowship, made possible with the generous support of an outside donor. With fellowship and scholarship funds, applicants receive a tuition reduction of approximately 65%.
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Visit spertus.edu/majps or contact Anita Silvert, Director of Enrollment, at asilvert@spertus.edu or 312.322.1707
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Supported by a generous grant from the Crown Family
Supported by a generous grant from the Crown Family
Are you ready to work for the Jewish community of the future?
Learn to Lead Certificate in Jewish Leadership Jointly sponsored by Northwestern University and Spertus Institute, this four-month executive-level program is for professionals and lay leaders. Learn to manage change, supervise with strength, and cultivate your leadership style. Next Chicago cohort begins November 13. Visit spertus.edu/certificate or contact Anita Silvert, Director of Enrollment, at asilvert@spertus.edu or 312.322.1707
Learning
Master Classes Open to all. Register online at spertus.edu or call 312.322.1773.
Social Media Boot Camp Leadership
Tuesdays from 6 pm to 8:30 pm November 15 and 29, December 6 and 13 $149 | $129 for Spertus members, students, and alumni
Arts & Culture
Let Digital Marketing Strategist Elly Deutch be your guide through the social media marketing maze, helping you to understand and actualize social media’s value for your company or organization. Learn about social media channels, content strategies, analysis, and industry best practices, as well as proven methods for designing social media campaigns that communicate your story and get people talking.
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Elly Deutch provides expertise to companies large and small on how to effectively use social media marketing. Over the last seven years, she has created and managed social media plans for over 300 products, organizations, and individuals. She speaks around the world at conferences and summits, sharing her social media knowledge and methodologies.
Personal Branding Resources
Tuesdays from 6 pm to 8:30 pm January 10, 17, and 24 $99 | $79 for Spertus members, students, and alumni
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Like it or not, your personal brand is important. It matters when you seek a new position, promotion, or any kind of new pursuit. During this three-part master class with strategist Susan Caplan, you will learn to confidently tell your story, polish your professional brand, and discover techniques and resources for effectively building a network to help meet your professional goals. Susan Caplan is a skilled business communication and marketing strategist and an Adjunct Instructor at Columbia College School of Business and Entrepreneurship. She works with schools, businesses, students, and organizations to help them gain a competitive edge in the marketplace.
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Supported by a generous grant from the Crown Family
Learning
Invest Just One Day (or Two, or Three) In Career-Enhancing New Skills Single-Day Workshops
Leadership
Open to all. Register online at spertus.edu or call 312.322.1773. $149 each | $129 for Spertus members, students, and alumni Price includes morning coffee and kosher lunch.
Meeting Facilitation
Arts & Culture
Wednesday, November 9 from 9 am to 4 pm Typical meeting formats can be stale, time consuming, and ineffective. In this hands-on workshop taught by Shirley Maeir, an expert in group facilitation and organizational development, learn fun, accessible ways to lead more creative, engaging, productive meetings. Shirley Maeir is the founder/director of Realize Your Best Work, a consulting practice dedicated to helping organizations and employees know and achieve their very best.
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When you register online for this workshop, you can bring a friend or colleague for free as our gift to you.
Grantwriting
Thursday, November 17 from 9 am to 4 pm Resources
Taught by Noah Temaner Jenkins, this workshop is designed for beginning and aspiring grant writers. It will cover the basics from conducting research on prospective funders to submission of your proposal. Noah Temaner Jenkins has been writing grants for nearly 20 years, helping nonprofits raise more than $10 million from government agencies, foundations, and corporations.
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Fundraising for Nonprofit Organizations Thursday, December 8 from 9 am to 4 pm
Dr. Laura Mannion is a Certified Fundraising Executive who serves as Director of Development for the Franciscan Alliance Foundation.
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This introduction to the knowledge and skills necessary to develop and implement an organizational fundraising plan is taught by fundraising expert Dr. Laura Mannion.
Lifelong Jewish Learning Amplified and Multiplied Across Our Community
By Dr. Dean P. Bell, Spertus Provost and Vice President Over the past two years, Spertus Institute —with support from the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago—has convened a special network of Jewish community professionals: those responsible for planning and presenting Jewish learning opportunities for adults. Participants from more than thirty organizations have met monthly at the JCC in Skokie to learn from experts and from each other. The topics covered have ranged from learning theory to the use of Jewish texts, from balancing program budgets to working with volunteers. We are pleased to announce that this Adult Jewish Learning Initiative will continue next year, with the addition of special workshops for Jewish educators and lay leaders involved with adult programming for their organizations. The goals of this new network are severalfold: to provide valuable opportunities for professional development, spur collaborative initiatives, and develop a forum for like-minded professionals to share best practices. As part of this project, Spertus undertook a needs assessment and market scan. Program-planning professionals were surveyed, as were current and prospective program participants. Key educators were interviewed and focus groups were held with adult learners. The results will be made available to the community in the coming months and will help to inform Jewish program opportunities across our community. As part of last year’s initiative, the professionals’ network developed a community-wide collaborative pilot program. Participants in the network sought to test the possibility of bringing dozens of organizations together on a single program designed to address initial recommendations from
Learning Leadership Arts & Culture
the needs assessment. Among the recommendations tested were location, logistics, cost, topics, and modes of delivery.
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The program—titled Jewish Resilience: Responding to Crisis, Catastrophe, and Change—was held at the Orrington Hotel in Evanston on Thursday evening, June 2. It brought together participants from across the greater Chicago area, who had a unique opportunity to learn in small groups with scholars Dr. Alan Mintz from the Jewish Theological Seminary of New York, Dr. David Shyovitz from Northwestern University, and Dr. Laurie Zoloth, also from Northwestern.
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The evening was headlined by activist and author Dr. Susannah Heschel from Dartmouth College. The presentations focused on responses to crisis from literary, historical, environmental, and religious perspectives. Extending the program’s reach, video excerpts from the presentations can be found on the Spertus website at spertus.edu/learning.
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In the year ahead, the Adult Jewish Learning Initiative will develop a second collaborative program as well as a community-wide web platform relating to Adult Jewish Learning. The web platform will provide access to curated video, audio, and text content on a number of Jewish subjects, a community calendar of local Jewish educational opportunities for adults, and resources for professionals working in the field. This unique project seeks to capitalize on the impressive range of programs offered in Chicago, while creating a more cohesive way for members of the community to tap into opportunities for lifelong Jewish learning.
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The project fits firmly with Spertus Institute’s two underlying beliefs: that learning Jewish communities are vibrant Jewish communities and that great Jewish communities need great Jewish leaders. We are grateful for the opportunity to continue this important work.
The Prophet Isaiah by Raphael, 1512
Learning
Jewish Studies Advanced Scholarship. Inspiration. Wisdom.
Leadership
Jewish Studies Graduate Programs at Spertus Institute are designed for students who seek to explore the breadth of the Jewish experience through advanced scholarship. Students study important texts and learn to work with rigorous academic methodologies in areas most meaningful to them. Master’s and doctoral programs offered in Chicago and through distance learning Advanced exploration into Jewish history and thought
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Learning for personal meaning and enrichment Onsite and online course offerings Excellent academic advising Development of critical thinking skills to foster a lifetime of learning Acclaimed international faculty
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WebConferencing Course Through iMeet
Introduction to Jewish Studies Resources
Tuesdays 5 pm to 7 pm CST November 1, 8, 15, and 29, and December 6, 2016 Taught by Rabbi Dr. Peter Knobel (MAJS core and DSJS core)
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Jewish Studies as an academic discipline is a relatively new endeavor. As an interdisciplinary field, it draws from a broad range of scholarly methodologies, covers a dizzying array of topics, and utilizes many genres of source materials. As such, Jewish Studies is an amalgam that tells us quite a bit about Jews and Judaism, both past and present. In this core course, we will examine the development of Jewish Studies in the Academy, with special emphasis on recent advancements.
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Learn more at spertus.edu/JewishStudies or contact Anita Silvert, Director of Enrollment, at asilvert@spertus.edu or 312.322.1707
Ghost Scroll V, Judith Joseph, 2016.
Seder Plate, Friedrich Adler, 1914.
The Ground Level Arts Lab is made possible in part through the generous support of the Harry and Sadie Lasky and Charles & M.R. Shapiro Foundations.
Learning
Ground Level Arts Lab Opening Sunday, September 25 from 5 to 7 pm
Leadership
Join us to celebrate opening of the Ground Level Arts Lab, a new 1,600-square-foot programmatic space for Jewish art, artists, and the community.
Arts & Culture
Located on the ground floor of Spertus Institute, the Ground Level Arts Lab features a semi-permanent display of art and artifacts from Spertus Institute’s impressive collections, putting works from the Spertus collections on regular view for both researchers and members of the public. Approximately 50 works are on display, ranging from a rare 17th-century jeweled Torah shield to the cornerstone of the Chicago Hebrew Institute, the forerunner of today’s JCCs. The Ground Level Arts Lab also houses flexible space for small changing exhibits. The first of these is Voices of Wisdom.
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Voices of Wisdom New Work from the Midwest Jewish Artists Lab
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Voices of Wisdom showcases new works created by Chicago-area Jewish artists in conjunction with the Midwest Jewish Artists Lab. Over the course of the last year, selected artists were brought together at Spertus for conversation, critiques, and community-building. Each participant was charged with creating an artwork or series around the theme of wisdom. At the exhibit opening, Chicago-based art critic and professor James Yood will lead a lively panel discussion featuring several participating artists.
Event is free. RSVP required. Reserve at spertus.edu/opening or 312.322.1773 For more about the Midwest Jewish Artists Lab, turn the page >
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All photos by Tom Nowak
Events
James Yood teaches at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, where he is Director of the New Arts Journalism program. He has been the Chicago correspondent to Artforum and a regular contributor for WBEZ.
Wisdom’s Wandering, Carol Neiger, 2016.
Under the Sun (detail), Ellen Holtzblatt, 2016.
Isaiah Series: Strangers Devour It, Gabriella Boros, 2016.
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Voices of Wisdom New Work from the Midwest Jewish Artists Lab
Leadership
Voices of Wisdom showcases new works created by Spertus Institute’s inaugural cohort of the Midwest Jewish Artists Lab. This year-long initiative brought together twelve distinguished local artists. The artists were provided opportunities to study art from the Spertus collections, as well as learn from historians, art scholars, and experts in a range of related fields. During the course of the program, each participant was charged with creating an artwork or series around the theme of wisdom. In the resulting work, the artists reinvent rituals, personalize liturgy, and capture the ever-changing face of Jewish life.
Arts & Culture
The artists of the first Chicago cohort of the Midwest Jewish Artists Lab Sylvia Alotta of Berwyn Gabriella Boros of Skokie Melanie Dankowicz of Champaign Susan Dickman of Evanston Berit Engen of Oak Park Jonathan Franklin of Oak Park
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Ellen Holtzblatt of Chicago Judith Joseph of Northbrook Stephen Levin of Riverwoods Carol Neiger of Glenview Dimitri Pavlotsky of Chicago Amy Reichert of Evanston
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On view September 25, 2016 – March 19, 2017 Exhibit Hours Sunday–Wednesday 10 am – 5 pm Thursday 10 am – 6 pm Friday 10 am – 3 pm Closed to the public on Saturdays and Jewish and secular holidays. Admission is free.
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Collection Highlights Online Highlights from Spertus Institute’s collection can also be viewed online. Visit collection.spertus.edu Funded in part by a grant from Luis and Fortuna Spitz.
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All photos by Tom Nowak
The Midwest Jewish Artists Lab is generously supported by a grant from the Covenant Foundation.
Presented with
Iconic 1964 film Sallah Shabati, starring Topol. Photo courtesy of the Jewish Women’s Archive.
Special Guest Gila Almagor is an actress and writer known in Israel as “the first lady of stage and screen.” She has starred in over 40 films and is the recipient of Lifetime Achievement Awards from both the Israeli Film Academy and the Jerusalem International Film Festival. She has served on the Tel Aviv-Jaffa city council and heads a foundation dedicated to the needs of children with terminal illnesses. In 2004, she was awarded the Israel Prize, Israel’s highest honor.
Learning
Midwest Premiere An award-winning, two-part documentary
HAGIGA
Leadership
The Story of Israeli Cinema Sunday, November 6 Part 1 begins at 10:30 am Part 2 begins at 12:15 pm Then stay for a post-show discussion with actress Gila Almagor.
Arts & Culture
ArcLight Cinema in the Glen 1850 Tower Drive in Glenview Each part runs 75 minutes In Hebrew with English subtitles Some clips contain adult content
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Hagiga is a milestone documentary about the history of Israeli cinema. Combining hundreds of interviews captured over two years with rare archival footage from behind the cameras, the film follows Israeli cinema from the 1960s to the present day, investigating key figures and their films. The documentary challenges the way we think about film in relation to Israel’s history and its dynamic and multicultural society.
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Part 1 | 10:30 am Three Fathers examines foundational filmmakers Ephraim Kishon, Uri Zohar and Menahem Golan. It explores classic films including Sallah Shabati, Peeping Toms, Operation Thunderbolt, and Lemon Popsicle.
Part 2 | 12:15 pm Events
Next Generation gets up close and personal with filmmakers such as Dover Koshashvili (Late Marriage), Eytan Fox (The Bubble), Joseph Cedar (Footnote), and Avi Nesher (The Matchmaker). The film also features candid interviews with Gila Almagor, Topol, Assi Dayan, the late great Ronit Elkabetz, and many more.
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$18 for both Parts 1 and 2 | $13 for each part alone For tickets and more information, visit the Chicago Festival of Israeli Cinema website at israelifilmchi.org/films
PLANNING A PARTY? EVENTS AT SPERTUS INSTITUTE ARE MANAGED BY VENUE SIX10, SELECTED A “BEST EVENT SPACE 2015” BY CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS.
Stunning panoramic views. 400-seat theater, state-of-the-art breakout rooms, and expansive open-floor-plan event spaces, all under one roof. Silver LEEDs certified, perfect for when you’re keeping it green. Choose from a select group of Chicago’s finest caterers, with both kosher and non-kosher options.
Visit VenueSIX10.com or call 312.322.1725.
To be among the first to find out about this year’s author events—and be eligible to win free books—sign up at spertus.edu/OneBook
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Dazzling and insanely ambitious — Gary Shteyngart, New York Times bestselling author of Little Failure: A Memoir
Arts & Culture
In The Imperial Wife, author Irina Reyn constructs the converging stories of two determined immigrants. One, a rising Jewish/Russian art specialist at a top New York auction house in the present day. The other, the future Catherine the Great—up-and-coming empress—as she maneuvers through the 18th-century Russian court.
Leadership
For the sixth year in a row, Spertus Institute is proud to spearhead One Book | One Community 2016, in which a single Jewish book is selected as the focal point for discussions and events across the Greater Chicago community.
Learning
One Book | One Community
JUF News is the media sponsor of One Book | One Community
Asher Library By popular demand, the Asher Library now has extended daytime hours:
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Extended Library Hours
Sunday noon–4 pm Monday 10 am–6 pm Wednesday 10 am–4 pm
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t eBooks debut Spertus students and members can now borrow ebooks from our collection—online, anytime of the day or night. For details visit spertus.edu/library
Our new ebook collection was kick-started by a generous gift from Howard Zar.
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Asher Library borrowing privileges are reserved for Spertus students and members. For membership information, see page 31.
Spertus Welcomes Incoming Chairman Peter Bensinger, Jr. Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning and Leadership proudly announces Peter Bensinger, Jr. as Chairman of the Board of Trustees. A thoughtful leader and passionate advocate for Spertus, Peter brings energy, enthusiasm, and a range of diverse talents to his new role. Peter is a respected partner at Bartlit Beck Herman Palenchar & Scott LLP and a leader in Chicago’s Jewish community. His path to both his professional and volunteer careers has been non-traditional to say the least. Peter began his professional life as an actor in New York City, with appearances on Saturday Night Live and All My Children. It was a fairly chance occurrence, when Peter was called for jury duty, that led him to law school. The judge of the case on which Peter had been selected as jury foreman pulled him aside and suggested that he’d make an excellent trial lawyer, a prediction that has proven to be correct. Since that time Peter has never stopped learning—as well as teaching—relying on past skills to meet new challenges. Known for his ability to explain complex issues to judges and juries, he has gained expertise in immunology, microbiology, electromagnetic wave resistivity, motor oil, and stealth boats. He also learned about Judaism. Raised in a household with strong Jewish identification but little Jewish practice, it was as an adult—seeking to stay one step ahead of his religious-schoolattending daughters—that Peter learned about Jewish practice, grappled with Jewish texts (in the original Hebrew), and pursued ways to strengthen the Jewish community. He has served as President of Sinai Congregation, is active with the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago, and is a proud
alumnus of the Certificate in Jewish Leadership program, a partnership between Spertus and Northwestern University. He is also Chairman of the Board of the Stanley Manne’s Children’s Research Institute and Anne and Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago. About Peter, Spertus President and CEO Dr. Hal M. Lewis said, “Peter walks the walk. He has made Jewish learning a part of his life.” For more about Peter and his goals for his Spertus chairmanship, visit spertus.edu/chairman
Spertus Warmly Welcomes a First-Class Foursome of New Trustees John Gallop, Managing Director of Advisory Research Investment Management, Inc. Michael Markman,retired consulting partner with PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) Aaron Turner, Vice President with DeWitt Stern Bruce Werner, Managing Director of Kona Advisors LLC. We are delighted to have them on board.
In Memoriam Spertus Institute mourns the loss of two long-time trustees, Eric Joss and Robert (Bud) Lifton. Both served Spertus and the Chicago community with devotion and commitment. They will be greatly missed.
Learning
Thank you to our growing list of sponsors and business partners.
Leadership
Your support makes our range of educational opportunities and public programming possible. You, too, can be on this list. Contact Ellen Hattenbach, Spertus Vice President of External Relations, at ehattenbach@spertus.edu to learn how.
Arts & Culture News Resources Events Support Spertus
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Calendar
September 2016 – January 2017
September
November
5 | Monday
1 | Tuesday 5 pm
11 | Sunday
6 | Sunday 10:30 am and 12:15 pm
25 | Sunday 5 pm
9 | Wednesday 9 am
Spertus closed for Labor Day
MA in Jewish Professional Studies begins P11
Ground Level Arts Lab Opening P21
Introduction to Jewish Studies begins HAGIGA: The Story of Israeli Cinema P24
Meeting Facilitation Workshop P15
13 | Sunday October 5 | Sunday 3 pm
Spertus closes for Erev Rosh Hashanah
3 | Monday 3
Spertus closed for Rosh Hashanah
4 | Tuesday 4
Spertus closed for Rosh Hashanah
11 | Tuesday 1 pm
Spertus closes for Erev Yom Kippur
12 | Wednesday
Spertus closed for Yom Kippur
16 | Sunday 3 pm
Spertus closes for Erev Sukkot
17 | Monday
Spertus closed for Sukkot
18 | Tuesday
Spertus closed for Sukkot
23 | Sunday 3 pm
Spertus closes for Erev Shemini Atzeret
24 | Monday 24
Spertus closed for Shemini Atzeret
25 | Tuesday 25
Spertus closed for Simchat Torah
Certificate in Jewish Leadership begins P12
15 | Tuesday 6 pm
Social Media Boot Camp begins P13
17 | Thursday 9 am
Grantwriting Workshop P15
20 | Sunday 1 pm
Uncharitable: How We Stifle Nonprofit Success P8
24 | Thursday
Spertus closed for Thanksgiving
25 | Friday
Spertus closed for Thanksgiving
December 8 | Thursday 9 am
Fundraising Workshop P15
11 | Sunday
Save the date for Irena Reyn, author of The Imperial Wife P27
25 | Sunday
Spertus closed for Christmas
26 | Monday
Spertus closed for Christmas
January 1 | Sunday
Spertus closed for New Year’s
2 | Monday
Spertus closed for New Year’s
10 | Wednesday 6 pm
Personal Branding Master Class begins P13
Learning
Spertus Membership
Leadership Arts & Culture
Your membership fees directly support extraordinary programs, resources, and opportunities that foster a vibrant, dynamic, and enduring Jewish future. In exchange—you receive benefits, bragging rights, and our eternal gratitude!
Individual $60 Discounts on tickets to performances, films, lectures, author events, and more
Discount subscription to Moment, North America’s premier Jewish magazine 10% discount at JUDAICA.COM
All benefits of Individual Membership, but for two people (Includes a second member card)
Associate $100 All benefits of Household Membership plus Online Recognition
SpertusNet $50 Library borrowing privileges and online access to the Feinberg eCollection This benefit is also included with Individual, Household, Senior, and Associate Memberships
Events
Select discounts from Spertus partners
Household $75 and Senior $50 (for those 65+)
Resources
Discounts on master classes and workshops
News
New Benefits
Join or Renew Today
To join or renew online, click the Join link at spertus.edu To join or renew by email or phone, contact Regina Rivers at membership@spertus.edu or 312.322.1777
31
Support Spertus
All memberships are for one year from time of payment. All memberships are 100% tax deductible.
See page 31.
Check out the new benefits of Spertus membership!
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