Connect & Learn Series
Presented by Spertus Institute and JPro Chicago, Connect & Learn is an online, community-building, professional development series.
Connect & Learn workshops offer professionals from Jewish organizations around the world a chance to join Spertus students and alumni for lively sessions on topics key to Jewish life today.
Sessions are led by members of the Spertus faculty.
Build skills you can apply immediately to your life and work. Become part of a network of learners and Jewish community leaders.
Sessions are online, live, interactive, and collaborative.
Each session includes time to connect, network, meet new colleagues, and strengthen relationships. Programs take place via Zoom. Ticket holders will receive login instructions by email 24 hours in advance.
Visit our Programs & Events page for upcoming and recent Connect & Learn sessions and more.
Connect & Learn is presented by Spertus Institute in partnership with JPro Chicago.
Tuesday, March 10 – In this session, Dr. Shai Zamir will examine how Converso families negotiated identity, intimacy, and religious practice under surveillance and coercion, while focusing on broader patterns of minority life under pressure.
Tuesday, February 17 – In this Connect & Learn, we’ll discuss trends in giving, messaging alignment for donor families, and new methods to build satisfying and sustainable relationships.
Tuesday, January 20 – In his new book, “Judaism, History and the Environment: Climate Change and Natural Disasters,” Spertus President & CEO and Professor of Jewish History Dr. Dean Bell explores historical examples of Jewish experiences with and responses to natural disaster. In this Launch & Learn session, Dr. Bell provides a brief overview of his findings and then directs them to uncover new ways to address a broad array of contemporary leadership challenges.
Thursday, December 18 – In this Connect and Learn, we explored basic concepts of data literacy and data neutrality and practice being open to what data can do to enhance our work.
Thursday, November 6 – Spertus faculty member Dr. Daniella Farah leads this session. We will explore the themes of upward mobility, interreligious encounters, and assimilation through the lens of Jewish education in modern Iran.
Tuesday, September 16 – Spertus faculty member Stefan Teodosic leads this session. We will explore the trust equation and see how credibility, reliability, connection and self-orientation can be leveraged to build incredibly strong professional bonds and unlock untapped potential in your work relationships.
Critical Conversations is an annual Spertus Institute program that brings together experts and activists to address the most critical issues of the day. In 2025, our presenters addressed economic vulnerability in the Jewish community.
Featured Past Program Video
Critical Conversations is an annual Spertus Institute program that brings together experts and activists to address the most critical issues of the day. In 2024, our presenters addressed AI’s perils and potential.
Award-Winning Book Explores New Findings
Video | Panel Discussion with Author Sivan Zakai | 78 min view