Read the Chicago Tribune's coverage of this wonderful cross-cultural collaboration.
Lawndale's ties bind a diverse assemblage: Young residents learn about their West Side neighborhood's roots as a Jewish enclave
By Jon Anderson
Tribune staff reporter
Published June 1, 2006
Golda Meir lived there, working as a librarian at the Douglas Library.
So did Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., in an apartment at 1550 S. Hamlin Ave.
Those were two quick facts served up by "Common Ground: Lawndale's Shared History," an exhibition that opened to the public Wednesday in the main lobby of the Lawndale Community Academy, a public elementary school at 3500 W. Douglas Blvd.
But for many viewers, working their way through a dozen panels of pictures and text, the appeal was more personal.
Common Ground project featured Cover Story in July JUF News
By CINDY SHER
Associate Managing Editor
If you look closely at almost any door to a home in the predominantly African-American Lawndale neighborhood on Chicago's West Side, you’ll notice two little holes on the doorframe. These holes, which once marked the presence of a mezuzah, are now a remnant of the Jewish past of Lawndale.
Off-Site Exhibition
at Lawndale Community Academy
(formerly the Jewish People’s Institute)
3500 W. Douglas Blvd. at St. Louis Ave., Chicago
Young people at the Jewish People’s Institute complete a map of North Lawndale, circa 1950.
Courtesy of Chicago History Museum
Lawndale was once home to roughly 40% of Chicago’s Jewish population. Today it has evolved into a vibrant African-American community. The staff of Spertus Museum has partnered with students at Lawndale Community Academy to create this exhibition that traces the history of their neighborhood and their school, which for decades housed the Jewish People’s Institute, a major community center for Chicago Jewry recognized nationally for its successful educational, religious, vocational and recreational activities.
Directions
Lawndale Community Academy is located at 3500 W. Douglas Blvd., on the northwest corner of Douglas Blvd. and St. Louis Ave.
From downtown, take Roosevelt Rd. west to St. Louis Ave. Turn left on St. Louis and go two blocks south to Douglas.
From the Kennedy & Edens Expressways, connect to the Eisenhower (I-290) to Independence Blvd. Go south on Independence to Douglas. Turn left and go east on Douglas to 3500 West.
Street parking is available on Douglas Blvd., St. Louis Ave., and Central Park Ave.
Hours
This exhibition will be open from 9-3 during regular school session. Please check the CPS calendar to ensure that school is in session before visiting the exhibition.
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