Listed below are various events taking place in the Chicago area. The events are listed in chronological order by the sponsoring organization (if multiple dates, listings are posted based on the starting date). This information is updated regularly. In addition, see Links for information on various recreational and social service agencies serving our community.

Protestants for the Common Good:

Healthcare 2008 - A Public Forum

Sunday, May 4, 2008
2:00 pm
Northfield Community Church
400 Wagner Road, Northfield

One of the most significant outcomes of this November's election may be decisions on the future of American healthcare. Being informed on this issue may help us make good decisions at the election polls. Five expert panelists will discuss issues connecting national, state and county policies to the health concerns of our citizens and the business concerns of our service providers.

The panelists are: Robert Kaestner, Institute of Government and Public Affairs, University of Illinois; Elizabeth Coulson, Illinois State Representative; Larry Suffredin, Cook County Board; Chuck Lauer, Modern Healthcare Magazine; and Al Sharp, Protestants for the Common Good. The program is free and open to the community.

National Council of Jewish Women, Jewish Environmental Coalition, JCCs of Chicago and Am Yisrael Congregation:

"L'Chayim": A Discussion on "Greening" Our Homes & Schools

Wednesday, May 14, 2008
7:00 - 9:00 pm
Am Yisrael Congregation
4 Happ Road, Northfield

This program is the first in a three-part series that focuses on Jewish teachings about environmental ethics, keeping your home, lawn, garden and school healthy through alternative pest control methods and advocating for laws and policies to support healthier homes and schools. Suggested donation is $5. For more information and to RSVP, contact Donna Fishman.

Center for Genetic Medicine:

A Film: "In the Family"

Monday, May 19, 2008
7:00 pm
Northwestern University - Thorne Auditorium, Arthur Rubloff Building
375 E. Chicago Avenue, Chicago

or

Wednesday, May 21, 2008
7:00 pm
Northwestern University - Ryan Family Auditorium, Technological Institute
2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston

This film takes a personal look at the outcome of a predictive genetic test. A young woman with a strong family history of breast and ovarian cancer finds out she has a drastically increased risk of developing cancer and must now decide whether to undergo surgery.

The program is free and open to the public. For more information, call 312-503-5600 or visit the Center for Genetic Medicine.

Temple Jeremiah & the Jewish Healing Network

A Sabbath for Recovery

Friday, May 23, 2008
8:00 pm Erev Shabbat Service
Temple Jeremiah
937 Happ Road, Northfield

There is a pervasive myth that alcoholics and addicts are never Jewish. The truth is that chemical dependency is an equal opportunity disease. Denial in the Jewish community about this disease contributes to the shame, guilt and isolation of its victims. If chemical dependency is an issue for your family or friends, powerful unspoken rules may keep you from acknowledging that there is a problem. Come to a special worship service for people dealing with addiction and their families.

Jewish National Fund (JNF):

Annual Family Baseball Day

Monday, May 26, 2008
12:00 - 2:00 pm
Bronco Field
Glencoe

This event will include contests for the entire family, prizes, a talk by former pro Ross Baumgarten and food. The event is being organized by one of our Temple Jeremiah students to raise money and awareness for JNF's Project Baseball which builds baseball fields in Israel.

Jewish Child & Family Services - Holocaust Community Services:

"Supportin Resilience in Aging Populations: Learning from Holocaust Survivors"

Tuesday, May 27, 2008
3:30 - 5:00 pm
North Shore Senior Center
161 Northfield Road, Northfield

Learn how earlier trauma affects survivors and their families, how to respond effectively to demanding survivors and why survivors may not be able to explain their feelings. RSVP to Kim Hand at 847-784-6061.

Jewish Healing Network:

"A Jewish Perspective on Grief"

Tuesday, May 27, 2008
7:00 - 8:30 pm
Jewish Child & Family Services
5150 Golf Road, Skokie

Join Rabbi Joseph Ozarowski and Robyn Kaplan Seidman to learn the Jewish perspective on death and grieving and the normal stages of grief during the first year.

B'nai B'rith Midwest Region Dinner:

"A Legacy of Truth and Justice: Women of Valor"

Thursday, June 5, 2008
6:00 pm Reception, 7:00 pm Dinner, 8:00 pm Program
Palmer House Hilton
Chicago

B'nai Brith, a champion of Jewish human rights, will honor eight Chicago-area Jewish women for lifetime achievement in their individual fields: Carolyn Glass, Counselor, "Life" Confidante and Educator at Glenbrook South High School; Judith Karzen, Jewish musician, performer, teacher and Director of the Halevi Choral Society; Rabbi Andrea London of Beth Emet, The Free Synagogue; Hedy Ratner, President and Founder of the Women's Business Development Center; Jane Saks, Executive Director of the Ellen Stone Belic Institute for Study of Women & Gender in the Arts & Media at Columbia College in Chicago; Beatrice Michaels Shapiro, author of Breaking Ground: Careers of 20 Chicago Jewish Women; Joyce Sloane, Producer Emeritus of Second City Chicago; and Lauren Sugerman, President Emeritus and Founder of Chicago Women in Trades.

Keynote speaker is actor, director, best-selling author and humanitarian Henry Winkler.

For ticket purchases and more information, call B'nai B'rith at 312-951-9326.

National Association of Jewish Chaplains, National Center for Jewish Healing & Life's Door:

Partners for Life: International Jewish Healing Retreat

July 6 - 11, 2008
Israel

Facing serious illness presents a crossroads for individuals and families. This program gives you the unique opportunity to travel through Israel through the unique lens of hope, growth and discovery, visits sights in Galilee and Jerusalem, attend workshops by leading professionals in health care, healing and spirituality, be pampered with massage, reflexology and other physical pleasures and reconnect to a heritage of strength and courage while celebrating Israel's 60th birthday. For more information, call 1-866-978-0963 or email Life's Door.

Saint Xavier University:

Voices & Visions Speaker Series: Presentation by Elie Wiesel

Thursday, September 25, 2008
7:00 pm
Saint Xavier University
3700 W. 103rd Street, Chicago

Nobel Peace Prize recipient and Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel will be the keynote speaker. His book "Night" chronicling his experience as a young boy during the Holocaust received international acclaim. Wiesel was Founding Chair of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Council and the author of over 40 books of fiction and non-fiction. He has received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, U.S. Congressional Gold Medal and numerous other awards in recognition of his literary and human rights activities. For more information on this event, call St. Xavier at 773-298-3311 or email St. Xavier University.