JCCWRP

Expanding Our Reach at JCCWRP

Posted on by Shalom Klein

We have been working hard at expanding the reach of JCCWRP.

In the last month I have met with over a dozen lay leaders involved in the various organizations that call West Rogers Park home and who believe in the power of joint action. I would encourage you to look at the attached snapshot of the massive investment that our Jewish community, thanks to support from the Jewish Federation, has made in our neighborhood. 

The volunteer board members and professionals in these organizations all have a specific agenda relating to their respective missions, facilities and challenges, but a major common denominator for all of them is that JCCWRP in many instances has been a key partner in helping them with advocacy, relationship building and strategic outreach to relevant government agencies. They recognize the power of partnering with us and the strength in numbers represented by the Jewish Community Council of West Rogers Park.

I have also been meeting with potential developers interested in both residential and commercial revitalization in the Devon and Touhy corridors. Stay tuned for what could be an exciting development in that regard.

We have continued to focus on fundraising and new connections to enable us to continue to advance our important work on behalf of the community. Howard Rieger is helping to bring us the focus that is needed for us to be successful.  I join with him in thanking you for your involvement.  Together we are making a difference.

Wishing you and your family a Happy Thanksgiving and Shabbat Shalom.

 

Sincerely,

 
Shalom Klein
Executive Director, JCCWRPJCCWRP (1)

Shana Tova – Reflection on the past and optimism for the future

Posted on by Shalom Klein

Friends and Neighbors:

As we head toward Rosh Hashanah, this is a focused time for introspection, personally, organizationally and communally. For JCCWRP this has been a very positive year of growth.  We have seen success in our advocacy efforts for businesses, synagogues, organizations and residents in West Rogers Park and have engaged so many new stakeholders that benefit from our efforts.

Last week I attended the annual meeting of the Jewish Federation / Jewish United Fund and thanked Dr. Steven Nasatir for the JF’s support of our work. The meeting was also a fantastic opportunity to thank the lay leaders and professionals of many agencies, including JCC Chicago, JCFS, CJE Senior Life, Sinai Health System and The ARK, for their ongoing involvement and commitment to JCCWRP.

We owe a special debt of gratitude to each of you for the hard work and commitment that you have shown. Together we are making our neighborhood a better place in which to live, work and play.  May 5767 be a year of success for our community and work in West Rogers Park!

Thank you for all that you do.  Shabbat Shalom and Shanah Tova!

Shalom Klein
on behalf of the Jewish Community Council of West Rogers Park

Help Strengthen our Voice and our Impact – Shabbat Message from JCCWRP President, Howard M. Rieger

Posted on by Shalom Klein

Over the past three years, Jewish Community Council of West Rogers Park has demonstrated that positive change can happen when people work constructively together to achieve common goals.

 

The lead story in this week’s  News Star publication reinforces the importance of advocacy — and confirms that our advocacy works.

 

The article reports on recent progress of the community-wide effort to secure a new Northtown Branch Library for West Rogers Park.  The petition drive sponsored by the LEARN coalition, of which JCCWRP is a founding member, has garnered more than 2,000 signatures urging the city to set the gears in motion.

 

Ald. Debra Silverstein and her husband Sen. Ira Silverstein are the petition’s top two signers.

 

“I believe community activism is a powerful tool,” Ald. Silverstein states in the article.  “I strongly encourage everyone to keep advocating for our neighborhood and our library.”

 

The lifeblood of JCCWRP is the volunteers who, along with JUF/Federation, support our work financially and programmatically, serve on our board and committees, give us direction, and  augment our voice to our elected and appointed officials.

 

We have exciting new initiatives to benefit the community.  To fulfill our potential, we need to bring new people into our organization who are committed to our mission.

 

JCCWRP is an organization of neighborhood residents and Jewish community leaders who care deeply about the past, the present, and the future of West Rogers Park. We aim to promote and encourage commercial, cultural and residential development designed to sustain a thriving community here in West Rogers Park for generations to come.

 

Who do you know who should be part of our efforts?   Please share your thoughts with us!

 

Thanks for your ongoing encouragement.

 

Howard

Looking to promote your business? Take advantage of the JCCWRP Facebook Page!

Posted on by Shalom Klein

The Jewish Community Council of West Rogers Park’s Facebook page is dedicated to promoting economic development in the entire community.  Local businesses are encouraged to post information on the Facebook page including events, specials and promotions.  At press time, our Facebook page had 260 fans and growing.

As most business owners already know, Facebook is a great way to bring in leads and increase sales.  Facebook can be especially beneficial to small business owners as it gives them the potential to reach a significant audience with little cost and effort.  By utilizing the JCCWRP Facebook page, local businesses can expand their reach to an engaged audience that has demonstrated its support for spending locally.  We frequently post community news, promote West Rogers Park businesses and provide fans with information on the benefits of shopping locally.  Please consider submitting a brief text with an image/photo to jccwrp@gowrp.org to promote your business on our Facebook page.

Remember to “like” the JCCWRP Facebook page at www.facebook.com/GOWRP to post business information/special offers and to enhance your business’s reach!  Be sure to also recommend the page to all of your fans and friends.

This free promotional opportunity is available to local businesses which JCCWRP judges to be consistent with its organizational mission.