The Russian-speaking Jewish Division (RJD) of the Jewish United Fund (JUF) engages the Russian-speaking Jewish community in the Chicagoland area with a focus on outreach to young professionals and ...

JUF amplifies our collective strength to make the world a better place — for everyone. Community powered, we consider the totality of local and global Jewish needs and how to address them. From ...

After more than three decades of lending his voice, heart, and pen, Paul Wieder--longtime Jewish Chicago Associate Editor and passionate member of the community--retired from JUF in October, leaving ...

Elana Lipman, Esq, cRc’s Director of Divorce Mediation, with Rabbi Yona Reiss, Av (head of) Beth Din (rabbinical court). Couples seeking divorce may embark on a long road, which can be paved with ...

"If we don't have peace in Israel, which is the ultimate sweet gift, then I would say I am looking forward to my friend Cindy bringing me some chocolate rugelach from Boulangerie Cheskie in Montreal.

For nearly 60 years, Lester Crown has inspired donors across the generations. He is pictured here in 2014. (Photo credit: Robert Kusel) Philanthropist Lester Crown is Jewish Chicago's patriarch, a ...

The youngest of four children, Irving "Irv" Barr's arrival was a happy surprise for his family. His parents and siblings doted on the youngest, nicknamed "Tots" by his dad. A rags to riches story, the ...

A few years ago, Allan B. found himself in a position he'd never imagined. A seasoned nonprofit executive who'd worked for years in the Jewish community, he was struggling after a layoff, borrowing ...

Ryan Merkow—pictured with his wife and daughter—studied for his adult bar mitzvah in 2023. At 13, Ryan Merkow didn't have a bar mitzvah. But three decades later, Merkow--now a surgical oncologist ...

At just 33 years of age, Mike Berman landed his dream job in Chicago. The Northbrook-raised lifelong sports fan nabbed the gig as a sports reporter for NBC Chicago in 2016 and has since interviewed ...

As summer wanes, I remember my youthful summers at a certain Midwestern summer camp, where the songs of Debbie Friedman filled the air. She'd often begin with a short verse from scripture or liturgy, ...