Check out this year's 12th annual Double Chai in the Chi: Chicago's Jewish 36 Under 36 list of talented, difference-making Jewish young adults in our city, presented by YLD and Jewish Chicago: The JUF ...

As "People of the Book," Jewish communities have long relied on stories to infuse daily life with meaning and structure. Just as adults turn to books, instruction manuals, and stories for guidance, we ...

UIUC students gather at an on-campus vigil in the aftermath of the October 7 attacks. After several years of negotiations, Hillel International, Illini Hillel, and JUF have reached an agreement with ...

Wade Bacon outside the Wrigleyville celebration of his conversion to Judaism. In August, my friend Wade Bacon completed his conversion to Judaism. Wade has been married to Rebecca (Weinstein) Bacon ...

These chairs, symbolizing each of the hostages taken on October 7, have stood outside of Am Shalom Congregation--no matter what the weather--for nearly a year. In this most challenging year, local ...

October 7 had a profound impact on Chicago area Jewish day schools and high schools. Shortly after the devastating attacks, school communities rallied and brainstormed about how they could help ...

Wendy Platt Newberger has hosted countless of Israeli families in her Chicago home through the years. So, when she learned of an opportunity to host a family from Kibbutz Holit for a week this past ...

Yonatan Yogadovsky, director of the Magen David Adom (MDA) international department, speaks to participants of a JUF mission about the role of the MDA. (Photo by Yonit Schiller) Since October 7, JUF's ...

Project management consultant Marisa Douenias and her dog, Poppy— a 13-year-old Pomeranian-Chihuahua mix— moved to Israel from Chicago, in the wake of October 7. (Photo courtesy of Nefesh B’Nefesh) ...

Alona Russo enjoying time at Camp Chi over the summer. (Photo courtesy of IDF Widows and Orphans Organization) Alona Russo lost her father, Uri, on October 7, while he was defending Kibbutz Kfar Aza.

Where were you on October 7? I was at my kitchen table, studying Talmud when there was a knock on the door. It was 6:30 a.m. on Shemini Atzeret, which brings Sukkot to a close. A knock on the door ...