Listed below, in alphabetical order, are various charitable, social, social action and community organizations. This information is updated regularly.

See Resources for information on upcoming community events.

In addition, see Caring Community for information on other organizations.

American Cancer Society (ACS)
The American Cancer Society is looking for volunteers to drive cancer patients to their chemotherapy and radiation appointments. The ACS is also seeking cancer survivors to provide support to those currently facing a diagnosis of cancer. For more information on ACS patient service programs or to volunteer, contact Sarah Dean at the ACS North Shore Regional Office at 847-328-5147.

American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC)
AIPAC's mission is to help Israel fight terrorism, nuclear weaspons and other threats to its welfare.

American Jewish World Service
AJWS provides humanitarian assistance and emergency relief to disadvantaged people worldwide. This organization is working to stop the genocide taking place in Darfur in Western Sudan (see Sudan). In addition, AJWS has created a Study Tour program, which offers supporters the opportunity to visit projects in the developing world. For more information, contact Stephanie Lindenbaum or click here.

Association of Reform Zionists of America (ARZA)
The mission of ARZA/World Union North America is to further the development of Progressive Judaism in Israel and throughout the world.

The ARZA-Kesher Fellowship program prepares college leaders to set the parameters for dialogue about Israel on college campuses and ensures that the over 60,000 college students associated with the Reform Movement are exposed to a message that supports Israel in an honest and supportive way and do not feel alienated from Israel. For more information, contact Melissa Zalkin Stollman.

For information on how to join ARZA or to learn about ARZA events or receive their newsletter, log on above or email arza@urj.org.

Breast Cancer Site
Find out how you can help an underprivileged woman receive a free mammogram.

The Button Project
Temple Jeremiah is joining the Jewish Federation of Peoria in collecting 11 million buttons to memorialize the 6 million Jews and 5 million "enemies of the state" who perished in the Holocaust. Visit their site to find out more.

Camp Kesem
A free, week-long sleep-over camp experience for children in the Chicago area with a parent who has or has had cancer. This is a secular camp open at no charge to children entering grades 4 to 8 of all races, religions, national origin and financial status.

Cancer Wellness Center
This is a private, non-profit, community-based organization whose mission is to empower those affected by cancer to enhance the quality of their lives. Staffed by clinical professionals, the Center offers a full range of free psycho-social support services, bereavement services, stress reduction programs, resources and educational opportunities made possible through private philanthropy and contributions.

Chai Lifeline
Fighting illness with love.

Chai Tech Professional Networking
A Jewish professional's forum for person-to-person technology industry networking, community service and development of social relationships. Call 847-540-5943 for further information.

Chicago Center for Jewish Genetic Disorders
Find out the latest information on genetic disorders. This web site will explain why certain disorders are more common among Jews and provide details on diagnostic and treatment options, cutting-edge genetic research and other health-related topics. The Center is a cooperative effort of the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago and Children's Memorial Hospital and is funded by a grant from the Michael Reese Health Trust. You can download a paper, Jewish Genetic Disorders: What Rabbis Need to Know.

Chicago Coalition to Save Darfur
This alliance of faith-based, ethnic, civic and student organizations is dedicated to ending the atrocities that threaten the lives of two million people in the Darfur region of Sudan. Click here to learn about a rally that took place May 1, 2006 in Chicago.

Chicago Jewish Historical Society
Founded in 1977, the Chicago Jewish Historical Society is dedicated to the discovery, preservation and dissemination of information concerning the Jewish experience in the Chicago area. It holds free bi-monthly meetings, publishes a quarterly, Chicago Jewish History, conducts bus tours, collects archives and takes oral histories.

Citizens Activated to Change Healthcare (CATCH)
Join an ecumenical initiative to promote prevention and treatment of alcohol and other drug use and advocate funding. The Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago and other groups are supporting this initiative.

Combatants for Peace
This movement was started by Palestinians and Israelis who had been part of the cycle of violence and are now pursuing a non-violent approach to the Mideast conflict.

Consulate General of Israel to the Midwest
Keep abreast of what's happening in Israel. Click here to learn about a visit by Consul General Barukh Binah to Temple Jeremiah on March 21, 2006 where he talked about Israel's recovery efforts in the wake of hostilities with Hezbollah. For more Israel-related links, click here.

CJE (Council for Jewish Elderly) SeniorLife
An affiliate of the Jewish United Fund/Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago, CJE SeniorLife provides community-based and residential programs for older adults.

Dawn Schuman Institute
Click above to learn more about this renowned adult learning institute. For information on upcoming local programs, click here.

Friends of Israel Scouts, Inc.
This group is part of an International Scouting movement which sponsors the Tzofim Friendship Caravan.

GesherCity - Your Link to Jewish Chicago
GesherCity offers bridges to young adults in the Greater Chicago Jewish Community by offering resources that connect them to their Jewish identities, to one another and to the community in which they live. Whether you want to want to find out about weekend events, get together with people with similar interests, find an apartment or learn about community resources, GesherCity has the information you're looking for.

The Haifa Foundation
This public nonprofit charitable organization's mission is to advance educational, cultural, communal and environmental projects and to improve the quality of life for all of Haifa's residents. During the war with Hezbollah, the foundation sent many children from the Haifa area to summer camps away from danger. People can send their tax-deductible donations to: The Haifa Foundation N.A., c/o Herbert Rose, Rose & Boxer, 1065 Avenue of the Americas, Suite 410, New York, NY 10018.

Halachic Organ Donor Organization (HODS)
This non-profit organization saves lives by encouraging organ donation from Jews to the general population (including non-Jews). It educates Jews about the halachic and medical issues surrounding organ donation and offers unique organ donor cards that allow options in accordance with individual halachic belief. HODS also offers a living kidney donor program.

Hands of Peace
This interfaith program for American, Israeli and Palestinian teens seeks to promote connection, dialogue and conflict resolution.

The Hunger Site
Feed the hungry without leaving your computer.

Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center
The Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center, due to open a new state-of-the-art building this summer, is looking for Holocaust-era family photos, letters, postcards, travel documents, suitcases, clothing and other memorabilia depicting pre-war life, survival experiences, life in the concentration camps, post-war resettlement and emigration. Once completed, the new center hope to reach hundreds of thousands of students and be a teaching tool for generations to come. To share your family history and items, contact Jessica Kaz-Hoffman.

Interfaith Housing Center of the Northern Suburbs
Works with 40 congregations and 20 civic organizations throughout the northern suburbs to provide fair and affordable housing. The Center wants to make the public aware of its Homesharing Program for individuals looking for affordable housing close to their jobs, schools or families.

Temple Jeremiah has shared close bonds with the Interfaith Housing Center since its inception. We are the one of the founding members of this organization. Proceeds from Temple Jeremiah's Comedy Night on January 17, 2005 benefitted the Interfaith Housing Center. In addition, Executive Director Gail Schechter spoke on fair and affordable housing in the northern suburbs at Temple Jeremiah's Shabbat Service on March 5, 2004.

Israel Aliyah Center
Earn a free B.A. or M.A. from one of Israel's finest universities or colleges. Or go to the Elite Academy, a high school in Israel, on a full scholarship.

Jewish Big Sisters
Calling all Jewish girls ages 9 to 19. Jewish Big Sisters, an independent organization providing friendship and companionship to thousands of Jewish girls in the metropolitan Chicago area, has openings. They provide a Big Sister for you and a monthly group activity in the form of a cultural, religious, educational or recreational event at no cost. Contact Patti at 847-251-6505 or Enid at 773-764-4759 or e-mail JBSsisters@aol.com for more information.

Jewish Broadcasting Network
Israeli national news is now being offered Sunday on comcast cable. Tune in every Sunday to the following stations (based on your community): Channel 53 at 7:30 pm for Chicago; Channel 3 at 1:00 pm and Channel 96 at 7:30 pm for Arlington Heights, Des Plaines, Mount Prospect, Northbrook, Schaumburg, Skokie and Wheeling; Channel 71 at 7:30 pm for Antioch, Deerfield, Glencoe, Gurnee, Lake Forest, Lincolnshire, Riverwoods, Waukegan, Winnetka and Zion. For a complete channel listing and program schedule, click on the heading above. To submit feedback, please email info@jewishbroadcasting.org.

Jewish Child & Family Services (JCFS)
Provides a wide range of programs and services. Their pioneering programs are designed to enable individuals, children and families to grow and develop positively throughout their lives. In July, 2006, the Jewish Children's Bureau and Jewish Family & Community Service merged into the Jewish Child & Family Services. Click above to learn about their various services, offices and upcoming programs.

Jewish Council on Urban Affairs (JCUA)
The Jewish Council on Urban Affairs, in partnership with Chicago's diverse communities, combats poverty, racism and anti-Semitism. For the past 40 years, JCUA has been at the forefront of issues facing Chicago's most at-risk communities, including affordable housing, jobs, community reinvestment and neighborhood stability.

Jewish Environmental Coalition of the North Shore
This group is composed of rabbis, lay leaders affiliated with synagogues and other Jewish organizations on the North Shore who recognize the Jewish community must act as guardians of the earth for future generations.

Jewish Fund to Assist Victims of Terrorist Attacks in Turkey
The Jewish Fund of Metropolitan Chicago has established a special open mailbox for contributions to assist victims, their families and the Turkish community in the wake of the terrorist attacks that killed at least 25 and wounded over 300 on November 15, 2003 in Istanbul. Contributions will be sent immediately to the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee to provide emergency medical aid and economic assistance for the Jewish victims, to rebuild the synagogues and to extend aid to other innocent, mostly Muslim, victims of the attack. Contribute by clicking on the web site above or by mailing a check payable to "JF-JDC Turkey Relief Fund" to the JCRC, 1 S. Franklin St., Chicago, IL 60606. For more information on the attacks, log onto http://www.ataa.org/spotlight/prnov15.htm.

Jewish Genealogical Society of Illinois (JGSI)
Have you ever wanted to explore your family history but didn't know where to begin? The JGSI holds meetings to help you start your search, locate your family shtetls and use research sources from around the world. It also has an extensive genealogical reference collection and can provide you with a list of useful web sites.

Jewish Healing Network of Chicago
If you are ill, bereaved or caring for a loved one, the Jewish Healing Network offers the comfort of human connections and a sense of community. The agency is a collaborative effort of the Jewish Child and Family Service (see above), Council for the Jewish Elderly, Chicago Board of Rabbis and Jewish United Fund/Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago. It is made possible through the generous support of the Jewish United Fund/Jewish Federation and its Fund for Innovation in Health (funded by the Michael Reese Health Trust), the Retirement Research Foundation and the Crown Family Foundation. Please contact them at 847-568-5200, TTY 847-568-5240 or email JHNC@jfcschicago.org. Click here for information on several upcoming programs.

Jewish National Fund (JNF)
Over the past century, the Jewish National Fund has planted 240 million trees, built over 180 reservoirs and dams, developed over 250,000 acres of land, created more than 450 parks and creates the infrastructure for over 1000 communities.

The Jewish National Fund offers a program, Plant Your Way to Israel, in which students 18 to 25 can earn money toward a trip to Israel by selling certificates good for planting trees in Israel.

Jewish United Fund (JUF)
The Jewish United Fund offers a variety of ways to support Jewry in the U.S., Israel and across the globe. Its web site offers news from Israel and around the world, a listing of organizations and agencies which provide programs to enhance Jewish life, local events and information on Jewish identity, including holidays and Israel.

A new web page, www.juf.org/tweens, is the first web page launched by a nonprofit organization specifically geared for the preteen group. This page contains information on volunteer opportunities, Jewish-themed puzzles and games, projects for family and holiday fun, Jewish trivia and biographies and sections dedicated to tweens' life experiences and milestones.

Jewish Vocational Service (JVS)
For help in finding a job. The Jewish Employment Network (JEN) of the JVS offers sessions with counselors, networking events, support groups and various other programs to assist job-seekers in finding employment. To find out more, log onto the web site above or contact Arlene Shafton, Coordinator of Community Relations at JVS, at jvsjen@jvschicago.org or 312-673-3443.

In addition, CareerTracks, a new and unique program developed by Jewish Vocational Service and Jewish Children's Bureau, targets Jewish adults ages 18 to 24 who face academic, emotional or developmental barriers as they transition from high school to the job market or further education. CareerTracks provides individual sessions for these young adults to clarify a career direction, provide job readiness training and access to post-secondary educational resources and to discuss a range of other employment, educational and career-related services. Parents also receive information on the transition process, learn to access resources and develop strategies to help their children succeed. For more information, contact Nanette Karoll at the JVS Career Planning Center at 847-412-4300.

Jewish War Veterans Post for the North Shore
This recently formed post is open to all Jewish veterans who have served in any of the U.S. military services. Meetings are held the first Thursday of the month at 7:00 pm (except on Jewish holidays) at Congregation Solel, 1301 Clavey Road, Highland Park. For more information, contact George Rosenblit at 847-432-0912 or Jim Cowan at 847-681-0570.

Magen David Adom, USA
Supports Israel's only official emergency medical, disaster, ambulance and blood bank since 1956.

Maot Chitim of Greater Chicago
This organization arranges for volunteers to pack and deliver food packages to thousands of needy Jews throughout Chicagoland on Passover and Rosh Hashanah.

MAZON: The Jewish Response to Hunger
Find out about the organization to which we donate 3 percent of the cost of our temple dinners.

MENSCH (Men for Shalom in the Community and Home)
A group of men in the Jewish community who promote healthy relationships by providing education, awareness and prevention programs that lead to the elimination of violence in relationships.

Mentor A Child
Contact Chicago Volunteer to volunteer as a Mentor and share your wisdom with a child in your community in need of guidance. Call 800-725-5314 or visit the web site above.

Midwest Palliative & Hospice CareCenter - Jewish Care Services
The first community-based healthcare organization in the Chicago area to work with patients and families facing a life-limiting illness to provide treatment and supportive services in the context of Jewish values, customs and traditions. The group has been accredited by the National Institute for Jewish Hospice.

National Council of Jewish Women - Chicago North Shore (NCJW-CNS)
Through its Jerusalem office, NCJW works with coalition partners to promote women's rights, tolerance and coexistence, the well-being of women, children and families, and U.S. support for Israel. NCJW’s groundbreaking Women and Gender Studies Program at Tel Aviv University, Yad B' Yad, NCJW's Initiative to Nurture Knowledge grants and RIFIE, our partnership with Hebrew University, are just a few of its Israel programs.

NFTY
Teens are invited to travel abroad this summer with NFTY. A branch of the Union for Reform Judaism, NFTY is offering a sumer program featuring five weeks in Prague and an "Exodus" voyage to Israel by cruise ship, followed by four weeks of touring sights in ancient and modern Israel. For more information, log onto the above web site or email NFTY.

North Shore Senior Center
North Shore Senior Center offers a wide variety of programs for the senior population.

One Family Fund
This fund provides comprehensive assistance to victims of terrorism in Israel. The organization offers direct financial, legal and emotional assistance.

Operation Hero Miles
This program allows people to donate their frequent flyer miles to provide our military troops to fly home on leave and for family members to visit their wounded service men and women.

Palliative CareCenter & Hospice of the North Shore
This organization provides care and support to people facing the challenges of aging, illness and end-of-life care.

Rainbow Hospice
Rainbow Hospice is looking for volunteers to provide respite and visits to patients and families faciling end-of-life issues.

Samaritan Counseling Center
The Samaritan Institute is a pastoral counseling center with offices in Lake Forest, Winnetka, Wilmette and Evanston, providing individual psychotherapy for adults, children and adolescents, family and marriage counseling, consultation to congregations and clergy and a wide range of educational programs. Counseling is offered to clients regardless of ability to pay. For information, please call 847-446-6955.

SederOlam
The complete guide for the Jewish traveler, this web site includes information on weather, maps, airports, train stations, fuel prices, a currency-converter, Hebrew calendar, Shabbat times worldwide, on-line news from Israel and other information for maintaining a Jewish and Kosher way of life while traveling.

Sh'ma: A Journal of Jewish Responsibility
A monthly publication featuring articles from various religious leaders. Click above to read the latest article.

SHALVA
SHALVA's mission is to promote tranquility and safety in Jewish homes and relationships through the prevention and alleviation of domestic abuse. The agency serves 300 families per year, primarily from Chicago's metropolitan Jewish community, crossing all socio-economic, political and geographic lines. The agency offers a 24-hour help line, individual and group counseling, legal information and court support, financial assistance, a speaker's bureau, outreach, rabbinical and community advocacy, information and referral, abuse prevention and education, youth prevention projects and a synagogue outreach project.

Donate your old cell phones for SHALVA. Funds received from the donated cell phones goes directly to SHALVA's crisis-counseling services. For more information or to reach the help line, call 773-583-HOPE.

The Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel (SPNI)
SPNI is a non-governmental organization dedicated to conserving and protecting Israel's environment since 1953. Log on to join this organization or receive their newsletter by e-mail.

Spertus Institute of Jewish Studies
Spertus Institute offers innovative public programming, exhibitions, collections, research facilities and degree programs. Facilities include a Museum and Bariff Shop, featuring a variety of Judaica for sale, an Artifact Center and the Asher Library. Log on to receive their brochure, learn about their latest programs and exhibits. Temple Jeremiah's Empty Nesters group enjoyed a museum tour on March 30, 2008. The Asher Library has been redesigned to include a spacious reading room, wireless internet and numerous other amenities.

The Les Turner Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Foundation
This is the only independent publicly supported non-profit organization in the Chicago area devoted solely to the treatment and elimination of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), better known as Lou Gehrig's disease. The foundation funds research and provides numerous programs and services for ALS patients and their families.

Union for Reform Judaism (URJ)
The central body of the Reform Movement in North America, the URJ's mission is to create and sustain vibrant Jewish congregations wherever Reform Jews live. The URJ provides leadership and vision to Reform Jews on spiritual, ethical and political issues as well as materials and consultation for programs in the congregation. It also provides opportunities for individual growth and identity that congregations and individuals cannot provide by themselves, including camps and Israel programs, study kallot and North American and regional biennials.

If your congregation is a member of the URJ, you can receive the Weekly Briefing, an email of news about the URJ and Jewish world, free of charge by clicking here.

Click here to receive the URJ brochure, Honoring Diversity, Seeking Inclusion and Building a Community of Common Purpose.

In addition, the URJ Department of Jewish Family Concerns offers resources for diversity in general and gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgener inclusion. Click here for more information.

United Jewish Communities (UJC)
The UJC Jewish Renaissance and Renewal Pillar's Adult Jewish Learning Committee recently launched its on-line Adult Jewish Learning Program Directory. This directory contains 100 adult Jewish learning program listings across North America. Each program listing is searchable by program structure, target population, program cost, venue and sources of funding.

World Union for Progressive Judaism
Headquartered in Jerusalem, the WUPJ is the largest religious movement in the world, encompassing 1200 Reform, Progressive, Liberal and Reconstructionist congregations and 1.5 million members in 40 countries over six continents. Its goal is to create a common ground among Jews and promote Progressive Judaism.

Your Synagogue - A New Publication
Get new ideas on ensuring fire safety, maintaining collections, selecting a phone system and other ways of managing your synagogue efficiently and cost-effectively.