כסלו/טבת תשפ״א • Vol. 50, No. 10 • December 2020 A Year Unlike Any Other Why coming together for good has taken on such great importance p. 14 As we celebrate the season of miracles, I hope that the spirit of love, the promise of science, and the resolve of our community will guide us to a more hopeful and meaningful path forward. During these REGISTER FOR trying days, let us find joy and light in our families SUMMER 2021 AT and in our homes. AAH.R Wishing a happy and revelatory Hannukah to all. L’Shana Tova to you and all whom you love. Brad Lippitz Group Summer days outside 773.404.1144 - - - - www.bradlippitz.com - with space to run and play, - - 3323 N. Broadway - connections with friends - Chicago, IL 60657 - and a caring camp community. - - 20 W. Kinzie, 15th Floor 839 W Hutchinson St, Buena Park $2,890,000 5335 N Lakewood Ave, Lakewood/Balmoral $1,750,000 - - - - AAH ILG | PC I - Chicago, IL 60654 - - Meticulously maintained historic estate with lush grounds, exquisite Serene oasis on a 57’-wide lot: stunning historic all brick home over- - - - primary suite, and 4-car attached garage. looking 37’ yard. - 3 YEARS-10TH GRADE - - - - - 7 CHICAGOLAND LOCATIONS - - - - - - - - Brad Lippitz - - - - - President & Lead Broker [email protected] Brittany Shapiro 4335 N Claremont Ave, Lincoln Square $1,424,900 161 E Chicago Ave, #36F, Streeterville $1,150,000 Picture perfect newer single-family house. Move right in! Pristine 2-bed in elegant full-service building. Senior Broker [email protected] Your housing specialists inside and outside 545 W Stratford Place, #2, East Lakeview $1,075,000 1240 N Lake Shore Dr, #32A, Gold Coast $985,000 Sprawling 3,600 sq. ft. full-floor condo with fabulous terrace. Modern 2,200 sq. ft. 4 bedroom/3.5 bath transformation with amazing views. OERIGT AM the eruv. I LKE ­ELON, W 2n–10t gad Compass Real Estate is a licensed real estate broker with a principal office in RGI TE A CMPHI.O G New York, NY and abides by all applicable Equal Housing Opportunity laws. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only. Informa- tion is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, condition, sale, or withdrawal without notice. No statement is made as to the accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footages are approximate. This is not intended to solicit property already listed. Nothing herein shall be construed as legal, accounting or other professional ad- vice outside the realm of real estate brokerage. 421 W Melrose St, #21AD, East Lakeview $769,000 123 N Green St, #1206B, West Loop $674,000 JCC Chicago is a non-profit organization inspired by Jewish values, bridging traditions and generations to create a more vibrant, connected community. JCC Chicago is a partner with the Jewish United Fund in serving our community. ©2020 JCC Chicago CW088V 11/20 3,600 sq. ft. 4-bedroom in classic Pre-War full-service mid-rise. Dramatic designer penthouse with soaring ceilings and skyline views. BEN GURION WAY • 30 S. WELLS ST. Celebrate Hanukkah CHICAGO, IL 60606-4694 [email protected] For subscriptions & change of address: 312-357-4807 with gifts of EDITORIAL CINDY SHER Israel bondS Executive Editor PAUL WIEDER Associate Editor MICHELLE COHEN Staff Writer ELIZABETH ABRAMS Contributor For editorial inquiries: Anniversary of [email protected] | 312-357-4848 ADVERTISING MARY COX [email protected] | 312-357-4883 DARIA BOGDAN A LEADER in Rehabilitation [email protected] | 312-357-4867 The Selfhelp Home ranks at the top nationwide for short-term rehabilitation CREATIVE DIRECTION Short-Term Rehabilitation • Respite Care • Independent/Assisted Living • Long-Term Skilled Nursing Care • Outpatient Therapy JOSEPH GRISHAM Creative Manager The Selfhelp Home is a non-profit Jewish home with a tradition of caring for more than 70 years. SARAH SOMMERFELDT 908 W. 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Photos: Istock 312-357-4853 | [email protected] | jufplannedgiving.com Two-life and deferred rates available Anniversary of PERPETUATING A 70-YEAR LEGACY OF ACHIEVEMENT | ISRAELBONDS.COM JUF NEWS | DECEMBER 2020 3 DECEMBER 2020 CONTENTS KISLEV/TEVET 5781 6 EDITOR’S NOTE 7 COMMENTARY 10 NOTED 14 COMMUNITY 14 A year unlike any other 18 A lifeline in a time of crisis 20 Camp-y fun to banish the winter blues 23 YLD’s Big Event Fundraiser goes virtual Jan. 23 24 University of Illinois commits to address antisemitism 25 Remembering a light who stood up to discrimination 26 Survey reports on what Americans know about antisemitism 27 On the town 28 28 CULTURE 28 Chanukah gifts in homage to a chaotic year for the arts 30 JCC Chicago social justice film fest coming soon 31 New children’s book teaches wheelchair sensitivity 32 Children’s books bring new characters into the Chanukah story 33 The artist as a golem 36 ISRAEL 36 Science and technology 14 38 Around the world in 30 years 40 NOSH 41 Spending time in the kitchen soothes our jangled nerves Photo courtesy of Hate Among Us. 42 Local Jewish business owners bring happy hour home 43 Meet the ‘Queen of Kosher’ 44 Hungering for connection? Try a virtual cooking class 45 What’s cookin’? 46 Rustling up relationships in the kitchen 47 Jewish artist creates art out of Rice Krispie treats 48 Fritter away! 50 Local kosher restaurants retool during pandemic 51 Giving what you can to the people who need it most 53 SOUL SEARCHING 53 At home for Chanukah 55 LEGACIES 58 SIMCHAS 30 63 WHAT’S HAPPENING 63 Save the date for JUF events! 64 Community events 66 FOR A BLESSING 67 Rabbi Jonathan Sacks 40 74 MINI MENSCHES 76 PICTURE THIS JUF NEWS | DECEMBER 2020 5 CHAI LIGHTS JERUSALEM NOTES In the window Standing shoulder to shoulder CHANUKAH IS ONE of my favorite holidays. My mom always made a big deal of it when my sister and I were growing up. We would deck our Addressing COVID needs in Israel home out in blue, silver, and gold metallic dreidels and menorahs worn from years of usage. Then, during the festival, we’d fry latkes, play dreidel AS THE GLOBAL COVID PANDEMIC drags on in Israel, in the US, and The elderly, too, are enduring great challenges during the pandemic. Many for pennies, and exchange token gifts. around the world, it is heartwarming to be connected to the generous Chicago are suffering not only the many ills of poverty, but also loneliness, isolation, lim- But the star of the show was always the candle lighting. One of my ear- community that helps those in need—both locally and internationally. ited opportunity to interact and to exercise, and technological disconnection. liest memories was lighting the chanukiah (Chanukah menorah) with my Building upon two earlier allocations, JUF recently approved Our JUF grant supports several programs for the elderly in the family in the window of our dining room. Then, through the years, no mat- an additional $200,000 for COVID-specific needs in Israel, region, including trainers who will lead the elderly in safe, ter what we were doing, everyone in our household would drop everything bringing the total to $655,000 that has been ear- socially-distant physical activity in parks; a program to come light the candles during the eight nights in that same window.