Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning and Leadership facts for kids
|
Other name
|
Spertus Institute |
|---|---|
|
Former name
|
Chicago's College of Jewish Studies |
| Type | 4-year, Private not-for-profit |
| Established | 1924 |
| Chairman | Harold Israel |
| President | Dr. Dean P. Bell |
| Dean | Dr. Keren E. Fraiman |
|
Total staff
|
38 |
| Students | 99 |
| Address |
610 S Michigan Ave
,
,
60605
41°52′26″N 87°37′29″W / 41.874°N 87.6247°W |
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The Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning and Leadership is a special school in Chicago, Illinois. It's a place where people can learn more about Jewish culture and ideas. They offer classes and programs that are based on Jewish wisdom and traditions, and everyone is welcome to join!
At Spertus, students can earn special degrees and certificates. These programs help people grow personally, become leaders in their communities, and advance in their careers. They are great for Jewish professionals, community leaders, and anyone who wants to learn more about Jewish history and culture.
Besides their main programs, Spertus Institute also has public events. These events happen both online and at their building. They invite people from all backgrounds to explore the rich world of Jewish learning and culture.
Spertus Institute is officially recognized by the Higher Learning Commission. This means their programs meet high standards for education.
Contents
A Look Back: The History of Spertus
The Spertus Institute started a long time ago, in 1924. Back then, it was called Chicago's College of Jewish Studies.
- In 1970, its name changed to Spertus College of Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning and Leadership.
- Later in 1973, it became Spertus Institute of Jewish Studies.
- Finally, in 2013, it got its current name: Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning and Leadership.
The school was renamed in 1970 to honor brothers Maurice and Herman Spertus. They made generous donations to help the institute.
Famous People at Spertus
Over the years, many important people have been part of Spertus Institute.
Teachers and Scholars
After World War II, many brilliant scholars came to Spertus. They were refugees from places in Europe that were controlled by the Nazis.
- One of them was Dr. Fritz Bamberger. He taught philosophy for many years.
- Simon Rawidowicz and Nahum N. Glatzer also taught there. They later helped start the Jewish Studies Department at Brandeis University.
More recently, Rabbi Dr. Byron Sherwin (who lived from 1946 to 2015) was in charge of the school's advanced degree programs.
Well-Known Presenters
Many famous people have given talks or performed at Spertus. These include:
- Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg
- Author Jonathan Safran Foer
- Architect Moshe Safdie
- Hip-hop artist Y-Love
- Pianist and actor Hershey Felder
- Newspaper columnist Thomas Friedman
- Psychologist Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar
- Statistician Nate Silver
Honorary Degree Recipients
From 1949 to 2011, Spertus also gave special honorary degrees to many respected individuals. Some of these people include:
- Rabbi Mordecai M. Kaplan
- Former Israeli Ambassador to the United States Abba Eban
- Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel
- Author and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Elie Wiesel
- Author and Nobel Literature Laureate Isaac Bashevis Singer
- Feminist author Betty Friedan
- Actor Leonard Nimoy
- And Jewish cantor (singer) Alberto Mizrahi
The Unique Spertus Building
In November 2007, Spertus Institute opened its amazing new building. It is located at 610 S. Michigan Avenue in Chicago.
- The building was designed by a company called Krueck Sexton Partners.
- It has cool connected spaces inside.
- One of its most striking features is a ten-story window wall. This wall is made of 726 individual pieces of glass! They come in 556 different shapes.
- From these windows, you can see the Chicago skyline, Grant Park, and Lake Michigan.
The building holds classrooms, offices, a library, and a theater that can seat 400 people. It also has many open spaces for events.
The Spertus building was the first new building constructed in the Historic Michigan Boulevard District after that area became a Chicago Landmark in 2002. The whole project cost about $50 million.
The Spertus building has won several awards for its design. These include awards from the American Institute of Architects and Interior Design Magazine.
See also
- List of Jewish universities and colleges in the United States
- Hebrew Theological College: A Jewish seminary in Skokie
- Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center: A museum in Skokie
- History of the Jews in Chicago
