Skokie

Skokie’s Hebrew Theological College Sending 27 Volunteers To Houston To Assist in Hurricane Harvey Relief Efforts

Posted on by Shalom Klein

A group of local high-school students are bringing faster help to Harvey victims, by flying in for hands on assistance. Close to two dozen high-school seniors, along with college chaperones and staff, from Skokie’s Fasman Yeshiva High School are volunteering several days this week to assist Houston’s Jewish community with hurricane relief efforts.

“While many people are trying to get out of the Houston, Gulf Coast area — we’ll be going in,” said Yehoshua Kalish, a 12th grader that lives in Chicago. There are six students at Fasman Yeshiva High School from Houston that were prevented from making it to Skokie for the start of the academic year, which commenced the final week of August.

The storm has created havoc in south Texas as the heaviest tropical downpour ever recorded in the continental United States with torrential rain and damaging winds. The students will be helping remove flood damaged items in homes, sorting clothing, sanitizing and removing debris.

“We’re all here to do the job, and we’re anxious to get to work” said Rabbi Joshua Zisook, HTC’s Director of Admissions who is coordinating the trip along with CEO Rabbi Shmuel Schuman. Both Rabbi Schuman and Rabbi Zisook will be joining the student delegation.

The group from Skokie will be leaving O’Hare Airport on Wednesday morning and returning Friday morning. The volunteer efforts are being arranged with members of the Jewish community in Houston, Texas in partnership with the Orthodox Union who launched a fundraising campaign to help those impacted by the flooding. Hebrew Theological College has also made housing arrangements on their Skokie campus for Texas residents needing temporary accommodations.

Oakton Community College’s Skokie campus adds renewable energy source

Posted on by Shalom Klein
A roof-mounted system, consisting of approximately 80 solar panels, is a new addition to Oakton’s Skokie campus.

When Oakton Community College President Joianne Smith signed the American Campuses Act on Climate Pledge in December 2015, the college joined more than 200 higher education institutions dedicated to climate action. One of Oakton’s commitments as part of that pledge was recently realized with the addition of a 25-kilowatt photovoltaic array at its Skokie campus, 7701 N. Lincoln Ave.

Installation of the roof-mounted system, consisting of approximately 80 solar panels, was completed on June 20. In its first month, the system has generated five megawatt hours of energy, enough to power approximately 15,000 light bulbs for one day. This use of solar power has already prevented roughly 3,700 kilograms of carbon dioxide being released into the environment, equivalent to planting 201 trees.

“Incorporating renewable energy is one important way of reducing the college’s impact on the environment,” Oakton Sustainability Specialist Debra Kutska says. “It is also something that is of high value to our students, who regularly tell us this is an area they hope the college continues to pursue.”

In addition to the new solar array, the Skokie campus is home to a test system that is easily accessible for enrolled students and provides them with hands-on experience working with solar panels. Live data from the solar array will soon be incorporated into the college’s existing Energy Dashboard which can be found at www.oakton.edu.

Oakton’s commitment to sustainability is reflected in its mission, vision and values statement in addition to its strategic plan, “Success Matters.”

Oakton President Joianne Smith says, “We understand that we are part of a diverse ecosystem and that the sustainable use of resources is important not just for our operations, but for the community and the world.”

In March, the Illinois Green Economy Network (IGEN) recognized Oakton’s green commitment with the College Leadership and Sustainability Award. Recent efforts include the installation of a publicly available electric vehicle charging station at the Des Plaines campus, launch of a new environmental studies concentration, preservation and restoration of campus natural areas, diversion of more than 36 percent of waste from landfills and a student-led initiative to use refillable water containers and eliminate the sale of single-use plastic water bottles on campus.

Proud to present the inaugural economic development strategy for the Village of Skokie

Posted on by Shalom Klein

Since its inception in 2013, The Village of Skokie Economic Development Commission has been a critical resource for elected officials, Village staff, Skokie businesses, the region and state as a whole.  On August 7, 2017, Commission Chairman Shalom Klein and Economic Development Manager Len Becker presented the 2017-2020 Village of Skokie Economic Strategy and Framework to the Village of Skokie Board of Trustees and the general public.

The presentation was the culmination of a more than two-year process as Commission members, staff, and community members have given hundreds of hours of time and significant effort to create the document.  The tenets of the strategy and framework are based on a number of best practices from a broad base of communities throughout the region and U.S., as well as specific practices recommended and relevant for Skokie.   The Economic Development Strategy and Framework is meant to be the foundation and focus towards the future for the Village to maximize opportunities to their highest and most beneficial potential.  In addition, this document is inclusive and appreciates and embraces the community as a whole while recognizing the human, financial, institutional and social impacts of the Village’s overall economic vitality.

Skokie Jewish Community Holds Day of Mourning For Gun Violence in Chicago, Terror In Israel

Posted on by Shalom Klein

SKOKIE, IL — Tisha B’Av, the Jewish day of mourning that falls each summer, is a sober and difficult day of remembering the brokenness and suffering of the past and of today. This year, Skokie Valley Agudath Jacob (SVAJ) and the broader Skokie Jewish community reflected on recent terror attacks in Israel and on the ongoing gun violence in Chicago.

“Tisha B’Av is a time when we reflect on the destructive power of hatred in our history and around the world,” said Rabbi Ari Hart, head rabbi of SVAJ.

“This day is about remembering the suffering of our past and moving forward with love and light in whatever ways – both big and small – that we can.”

On Monday, July 31st at 8 p.m. the synagogue held a vigil for recent Israeli victims of terror, remembering their lives, their stories, and their heroism.

Following the vigil, the community read from the book of Lamentations, which describes the pain and suffering of Jerusalem when the holy city was destroyed 2,000 years ago.

Afterwards, Tamar Manasseh, founder of Mothers Against Senseless Killing (MASK) and Chicagoan of the year in 2016 spoke about her work fighting against gun violence on the South Side of Chicago.

The next day – Tuesday, Aug. 1st at noon – prepared a BBQ meal with toys and games to support the work of MASK. Though the Jewish community itself was fasting, they delivered the meal and supplies to MASK volunteers on the South Side and joined in the spirit of fellowship and love that MASK is creating.

“MASK does incredibly important and effective work in curbing gun violence in Chicago neighborhoods”, said Skokie resident and SVAJ member, Adrianne Burgher. “I am so proud of this partnership and truly grateful for the opportunity to lend our support to the greater Chicago community.”

The event took place at Skokie Valley Agudath Jacob Synagogue, located at 8825 E. Prairie Road in Skokie.

 

Attend Oakton's free nanotechnology open house Aug. 10 in Skokie

Posted on by Shalom Klein

Looking for the fast track to a rewarding technology career? Join Oakton Community College for a free open house event from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Aug. 10 at the Illinois Science + Technology Park (IS+TP) Conference Center, 8045 Lamon Ave., Skokie.

Registration for the open house is encouraged, but walk-ins are welcome. Visit ne3i.eventbrite.com to attend one of the free open houses.

To learn more about nanotechnology, open house events and certificate programs, contact Bob Sompolski, dean, Division of Mathematics, Engineering, and Computer Science, at 847-635-1975 or by email at somplski@oakton.edu.

Celebrate National Night Out in Skokie on August 1!

Posted on by Shalom Klein

The Skokie Police Department’s Crime Prevention/Community Relations Unit hosts
the 6th Annual National Night Out Campaign on Tuesday, August 1 from 6 to 9 p.m.,
at Oakton Park, 4701 Oakton Street.

National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes policecommunity
partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods
a safer, better place to live.

Come out, meet your neighbors and talk to Skokie Police officers and Village Staff
members about crime prevention, Neighborhood Watch, the new Many Cultures,
One Community – Keeping Skokie Safe campaign and other happenings in the
community.

The National Night Out campaign complements the Skokie Police Department’s
“COPS” Community Outreach Police Substation program by providing Skokie
residents with a unique opportunity to meet police officers. Tours of the COPS
vehicle will be available. Meet McGruff the Crime Dog, the Skokie Explorers, enjoy
food, play games and win prizes!

For more information and to RSVP for this free event, please visit @skokiepolice on
Facebook for details and then click “Events” or contact the Skokie Police Department C
Prevention Unit at 847/982-5922.