Jewish Federation

Thanks to Justin Breen for meeting and helping spread the word about the reward to apprehend the murderer of Eliyahu Moscowitz

Posted on by Shalom Klein

A total of $10,000 in reward money is being offered by the Jewish United Fund/Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago to aid the search for the killer or killers of two men in Rogers Park this week.

“These murderous attacks are reverberating throughout the Jewish, LGBTQ and the broader communities,” JUF/Federation President Steven B. Nasatir said, “and we are determined to do whatever we can to aid the community as well as law enforcement’s efforts to apprehend whoever is responsible.”

The reward, established in consultation with Chicago Police, was announced Thursday evening at a community safety meeting convened by 50th Ward Ald. Debra Silverstein, CAPS and the 24th District Community Policing Office, and held at the Bernard Horwich Jewish Community Center.

The JUF/Jewish Federation reward is being made via Cook County Crime Stoppers, which will offer $5,000 for each case for information that leads to the arrest of the person or persons responsible for the murders.  Anyone with information can call their hotline number at 1-800-535-STOP.  All calls to Cook County Crime Stoppers will remain anonymous.

Jewish Federation calls for a safe, rational and coordinated national refugee policy

Posted on by Shalom Klein

Refugees-1996Since 1975, the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago has been the administrator of the Illinois Refugee Social Service Consortium.* Under every Democratic and Republican state administration, the Federation has been directly responsible for the successful resettlement of refugees, including Soviet Jews, Vietnamese, Hmong, Cubans, Iraqis, Darfurians, Ethiopians, Bosnians and Syrians of various faiths, among others. During those four decades, the Federation has helped more than 125,000 people build new, more secure lives with the blessings of America’s freedoms.

The Federation has encountered–and overcome–policy, budget, and other obstacles over the decades but has never wavered in its commitment to fulfill this sacred Jewish and American task. On behalf of the Jewish community, the Federation is proud of this accomplishment, and pledges to continue this important work.

The Federation welcomes America’s refugees who have passed the most thorough vetting process of any group of foreigners seeking to come to our country, and applauds the statements from many Jewish and non-Jewish groups that are now speaking out on this issue.

Every public policy should be reviewed and strengthened, especially when it involves our security. However, the administration’s sweeping, sudden, and uncoordinated executive order undermines the noble ideal of our nation serving as a safe harbor for those fleeing persecution, and directly imperils the Federation’s work on their behalf. The Federation opposes policies that bar or privilege certain groups of refugees solely because of their religion or country of origin. It is the well-founded fear of persecution by any country against any minority that has long inspired America to provide refuge.

The Federation is engaging with its Illinois Refugee Social Service Consortium partners on how best to work through the current situation and to help ensure a safe, rational and coordinated national refugee policy.

The Federation will apprise the community as developments unfold.

* The Illinois Refugee Social Service Consortium is composed of Catholic Charities of Archdiocese of Chicago, Catholic Charities of Rockford, Ethiopian Community Association of Chicago, Heartland Alliance, Iraqi Mutual Aid Association, JCFS- HIAS Chicago, RefugeeOne, Pan African Association, Rock Valley College, and World Relief.

Let's Do Some Good In WRP!

Posted on by Shalom Klein
JCCWRP will be partnering with the Jewish Federation / JUF on an opportunity to bring the community together around volunteering in West Rogers Park.
Good Deeds Day was started in Israel in 2007 as a way for people to give back and has since become an international day of service taking place in over 75 countries around the world. Last year JUF launched Good Deeds Day locally and nearly 1,500 community members of all ages participated in the inaugural event. Good Deeds Day is scheduled for Sunday, April 2, 2017. Follow this link to learn more and see pictures from last year: https://www.juf.org/tov/good-deeds-day.aspx.
There are now several local projects lined up, including the Chicago Chessed Fund, Maot Chitim, and others are being added to the calendar. More details will be sent out as projects are confirmed.
 
Please help us spread the word and let me know if we can count on your family or colleagues for a volunteering opportunity in West Rogers Park. We look forward to participation from the members of our community in this city-wide effort.
Mayor Rahm Emanuel

Chicago mayor lights JUF menorah on last night of Chanukah

Posted on by Shalom Klein
Mayor Rahm Emanuel
Mayor Rahm Emanuel lights the JUF Chanukah menorah with JUF President Steven B. Nasatir (left) and the Bernard Zell Anshe Emet Day School children’s choir

Chicago received one last gift on the last night of Chanukah this year.

On Wednesday, the eighth and final night of the holiday, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel visited the Jewish United Fund/Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago to light the menorah (Chanukah lamp) during a ceremony co-sponsored by the City of Chicago.

JUF/JF President Steven B. Nasatir introduced the mayor. “Chanukah is all about freedom,” Nasatir said. “Here we are, thousands of years later. living in this great country, a country that has provided freedom for all Americans, in a wonderful community, in an extraordinary city that’s headed by a mayor who exhibits vigor and wisdom every single day.”

“I want to thank the Jewish United Fund not for what it’s doing today, but because the Jewish United Fund lights Chanukah [every day]!” said Mayor Emanuel. “What is Chanukah? Bringing light to those who live in the shadows and making sure that people, regardless of where they live, have light in their life. We have to contribute part of our light to helping others that are less fortunate regardless of where they live across the world or across the city. I want to thank the Jewish United Fund for your commitment to helping lift others up. This holiday should help all of us recommit to helping others who are less fortunate in our city, remember them, not just today, and not just in the holiday season, but yearlong.”

The spirited children’s choir from the Bernard Zell Anshe Emet Day School sang three songs during the candle lighting, including a Matisyahu song called “Miracle.”

The candle lighting came a week after the first night of the Festival of Lights, which coincided this year with Thanksgiving Day.