Dear Members of the Spertus Family:

Once there was a myth that summer was a time that organizations, particularly in the Jewish community, went on hiatus. Programming was reduced as people left town, and things ground to a screeching halt. I’m not sure that was ever really the case, but it is certainly not true at Spertus.

Just as summer is a time of vibrancy in and around Chicago, the summer months are filled with opportunities for exploration and discovery at Spertus. Our upcoming programming features a number of compelling and highly unusual opportunities to learn more about the Jewish experience, including some fascinating films on topics ranging from Catholic-Jewish relations to Hasidic Rosh Hashanah celebrations. 

The newest chapter in our evolving exhibit on Chicago Jewish history, A Jewish Homeland, is now on display. Describing the role that Chicagoans played in helping to establish the State of Israel, this exhibit will bring back memories for some and, for others, open doors of understanding to the international impact of local actions.  

This summer we will host two graduate seminars with students from around the world who will be at Spertus working toward their masters or doctoral degrees in Jewish Studies. They will be joined by a world-renowned faculty for two weeks of intensive, exhilarating Jewish learning.

Finally, this summer includes a Spertus first — a joint commencement ceremony with students from both our Masters in Nonprofit Management and our Masters in Jewish Professional Studiesprograms. With their training from Spertus, these communal leaders will take their formal studies and the practical experiences they have received in our programs and immediately apply them for the betterment of their organizations and the communities they serve. Not only are their futures brighter because of Spertus, but the Jewish and general communities of Greater Chicago are enriched and enlivened because of their work. Congratulations to our graduates, their families, and their professors.

However you choose to spend your summer, I hope that you will find time to visit us at Spertus — in person or on-line here at spertus.edu.

Warm wishes for a meaningful summer,

Dr. Hal M. Lewis is President and CEO 
of Spertus Institute of Jewish Studies