I understand that my or my child's photograph or video may be taken and used by the Jewish United Fund (JUF) for its purposes without any compensation. All photos and videos are for JUF use and become ...

Jewish Chicagoans standing proudly with Israel during a Yom Ha’atzmaut gathering at Chicago’s Daley Plaza last spring. (Photo credit: Robert Kusel) The connection between the Israeli people and ...

Sukkot is a festive, family-friendly festival celebrated with songs, handcrafted decorations, challah dipped in honey, and seasonal comfort food. The holiday honors the endurance of our ancestors ...

"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 ...

When Susan Weiss Liebman's pregnant niece died suddenly at the age of 36, the geneticist uncovered a family mystery dating back generations. "I believe I became a geneticist…because I was destined to ...

With immense pride, I joined leaders from Chicago's Jewish community in the galleries of the Illinois State House and Senate in May. From above each chamber floor, we watched State Senator Laura Fine ...

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 ...

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 ...