spertus institute calendar summer 2013

Calendar and News | July – August 2013 | spertus.edu

(The Movie) P7A toe-tapping celebration… starring Harry Belafonte, Connie Francis, Glen Campbell, Leonard Nimoy and many others. – San Francisco Chronicle

Announcing the Legacy Heritage Midcareer Fellowships for Jewish Professional Studies students P21

Are you ready for Rosh Hashanah? P28

Jewish Music, Jewish Communities P13

Spertus is a partner in serving our community, supported by the Jewish United Fund/Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago.

Discount Parking $10 with Spertus validation at:

at the Essex Inn 8th Street and Michigan (2 blocks south of Spertus). Enter on 8th between Michigan and Wabash.

We love to hear from you. To reach Spertus, visit spertus.edu, email us at [email protected], or call our general line at 312.322.1700 to be directed to the information you need. Our box office line is open Monday–Thursday, 9:30 am–6 pm, at 312.322.1773.

Spertus offers dynamic learning opportunities, rooted in Jewish wisdom and culture and open to all. Graduate programs and workshops train future leaders and engage individuals in exploration of Jewish life. Public programs include films, speakers, seminars, concerts, and exhibits—at the Institute’s Michigan Avenue facility, in the Chicago suburbs, and online.

The Joyce and Avrum Gray Children’s Center is not currently open to the public. Contact [email protected] if interested in holding an event in this space.

Follow Spertus on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest to get exclusive updates, invites, and discounts.

Spertus is closed to the public on Saturdays and these upcoming holidays:

Independence DayClosed Thursday and Friday, July 4 and 5

Labor DayClosed Monday, September 2

Cover image: Wedding Hora. From Hava Nagila (The Movie).

Printed on 30% post-consumer recycled paper.

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public programs

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Hava Nagila (The Movie) P7

Orchestra of Exiles P9

Jewish Graphic Design from the Talmud to Today P11

A Conversation with University of Haifa President Amos Shapira P14

Nonprofit Management Graduate Program Information Sessions P23

Summer Jewish Studies Graduate Seminar P25

Around Town

The Synagogue Speaks Bus Tour P17

Spertus in the Suburbs

Jewish Music, Jewish Communities P13

exhibits and collections

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Voices & Visions P11

Collection Highlight: The Bewitched Tailor P19

Asher Library P25

Around Town

Shalom Chicago P17

news

Letter from Spertus President Hal M. Lewis P4

Spertus Announces Legacy Fellowships for Jewish Professional Studies P21

Are You Ready for Rosh Hashanah? P29

Alumni Profile: Cydney Topaz P30

benefits of membership P31

Thanks to the foresight and philanthropy of many individuals over many years, scholarships are available in these difficult economic times for people who want to participate in select Spertus public programs. Call 312.322.1743 for details.

If you are interested in providing scholarship support, we welcome your generosity. Please contact our development office at 312.322.1758.

Contents

Letter from the President

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What do a renowned exhibit of graphic art that captures the insights of Jewish luminaries, two award-winning films, and a four-part mini-course on Jewish music have in common? They are all part of Spertus’ Summer 2013 programming! And that is just the beginning.

Summer at Spertus is also a time of commencement. Recently, four remarkable Spertus students culminated years of rigorous study and completed their doctoral dissertations. Their works will make major contributions to the future of North American Jewish life. In August, students in our Masters in Nonprofit Management program will walk across the Spertus stage to receive diplomas, as they move on to leadership positions in many of this city’s most important nonprofit organizations. And, because at Spertus learning is ongoing, our newest students will begin their studies this summer in our MA in Jewish Professional Studies, where, as a result of their educations at Spertus, they will go on to help transform Jewish life in Chicago and in cities across the continent.

At Spertus we believe that a learning Jewish community is a vibrant Jewish community. We know that 21st-century adults have a diversity of academic and artistic interests, and require dynamic learning opportunities that are accessible and responsive to fast-paced and rapidly changing lives. This summer offers a glimpse into the wide array of Spertus offerings designed to meet those needs.

In addition, we think deeply about how to maximize high quality Jewish learning for all. We work hard to eliminate even the smallest impediment. Most of our programs and courses require no prerequisites. Jews and non-Jews are always welcome. Our programs are modestly priced, and because of the generosity of donors, scholarship funds are available. And for those who cherish high quality, nondenominational learning but who are unable to attend

Facing Page: Marc Chagall, The Fiddler, 1912–1913 (detail), Poster by Mervyn Kurlansky (detail) for Voices & Visions, and Spertus graduation


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Dr. Hal M. Lewis is President and CEO of Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning and Leadership.

a Spertus program either downtown or in one of many suburban venues, our expanded use of technology opens new possibilities. Our graduate students are already familiar with the expanded opportunities afforded by technology. But if you have never spent time on our website—spertus.edu—I invite you to do so. There you will find recordings of many past programs. You can visit portions of our collections, and, thanks to our Feinberg eCollection, you can access thousands of full text articles, journals, and classic works of Jewish scholarship.

Whatever your interest in Jewish learning, Spertus has something for you. The summer is a time for many important things—both personal and familial. We hope you will find time to spend at least part of your summer with us.

Read The Leading Edge, Dr. Hal M. Lewis’ blog about Jewish leadership, at juf.org/news/blogs.aspx


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film | discussionThursday, June 6 at 7 pm Reception to follow

Hava Nagila (The Movie)It’s to music what the bagel is to food—a Jewish staple turned worldwide hit. Bob Dylan sang it. Elvis, too. And that’s only the beginning. Follow the infectious party song on its journey from the shtetls of Eastern Europe to the cul-de-sacs of America in this hilarious and surprising film.

Featuring interviews with Harry Belafonte, Connie Francis, Glen Campbell, Leonard Nimoy, Regina Spektor, and more, Hava Nagila (The Movie) takes viewers to Ukraine, Israel, the Catskills, Greenwich Village, Hollywood, and even Bollywood, using the song as a springboard to explore Jewish history and cross-cultural connections made through music.

Spertus is pleased to welcome director Roberta Grossman for a post-screening discussion.

Roberta Grossman is an award-winning filmmaker with a passion for history and social justice. She served as the series producer and co-writer of the CBS mini-series 500 Nations, hosted by Kevin Costner, and was producer/director for Homeland: Four Portraits of Native Action. Other writing and producing credits include the History Channel’s In the Footsteps of Jesus, AMC’s Hollywood & Power: Women on Top, and several episodes of A&E’s Mysteries of the Bible.

$18 | $10 for Spertus members | $8 for students Buy tickets online at spertus.edu or call 312.322.1773.

Win free tickets and Hava Nagila swag! Do you have a Hava Nagila moment from a simcha of your own? Send us a picture and we’ll add it to our online scrapbook and enter you to win. Visit spertus.edu for details.

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film | discussion Thursday, June 20 at 7 pm Reception to follow

Orchestra of Exiles

“a harrowing, inspiring story” —Film Journal International

Featuring Itzhak Perlman, Zubin Mehta, Pinchas Zukerman, Joshua Bell, and others, Orchestra of Exiles is the suspenseful chronicle of how one man helped save Europe’s great Jewish musicians from the Nazis.

In the early 1930s, Hitler began firing Jewish musicians across Europe. Overcoming extraordinary obstacles, violinist Bronislaw Huberman moved these musicians to Palestine and formed a symphony that would become the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra. With courage, resourcefulness, and an entourage of allies including Arturo Toscanini and Albert Einstein, Huberman saved close to 1,000 Jews and with them, the musical heritage of Europe.

Spertus is pleased to welcome director Joshua Aronson for a post-screening discussion.

Joshua Aronson started his career as a still photographer for Time Life, then directed television films, music videos, and commercials before turning to documentaries in 1999. His work includes the Academy Award nominated Sound and Fury, Showtime’s The Opposite Sex and Beautiful Daughters, and the feature documentary Bullrider. He is also a concert pianist and plays chamber music in New York and at Colorado’s Telluride Musicfest, which he founded with his wife, violinist Maria Bachmann.

$18 | $10 for Spertus members | $8 for students Buy tickets online at spertus.edu or call 312.322.1773.

This program is part of the Solomon Goldman Series, generously endowed by Rose and the late Sidney Shure, with additional support from the Bernard and Rochelle Zell Center for Holocaust Studies at Spertus.

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Above: Voices & Visions™ design by Seymour Chwast with quote by Maimonides

Exhibit Hours Sunday-Wednesday 10 am–5 pm Thursday 10 am–6 pm Friday 10 am–3 pm Closed to the public Saturdays and Jewish and secular holidays.

Exhibits at Spertus are supported in part by the Harry and Sadie Lasky Foundation.


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e xhibitThrough August 11, 2013

Voices & VisionsTM

In a series of 18 striking posters, the words of Jewish luminaries from Maimonides to Susan Sontag are newly interpreted and graphically transformed by renowned artists and designers, such as Seymour Chwast, Milton Glaser, Carin Goldberg, and Art Paul. An initiative of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation, Voices & VisionsTM elicits the power of art to communicate great ideas and inspire reflection and conversation.

Admission is free. Copies of Voices & VisionsTM prints and notecards are available for purchase from the Spertus Shop.

reception | lecture Sunday, June 23 Reception at 1 pm | Program at 2 pm

Jewish Graphic Design from the Talmud to TodayAs “the people of the book,” Jews have always valued text and learning. But did you know that Jews were also innovators in the design and typography of all kinds of printed materials? In conjunction with Voices & VisionsTM, join art historian Daniel Belasco for a wide-ranging presentation of Jewish graphic design highlights—from the Talmud to Milton Glaser—including a discussion of how visual culture activates contemporary engagement with Jewish identity.

Preceding the program, a free reception begins at 1 pm with designer Art Paul and philanthropist Harold Grinspoon scheduled to attend.

Dr. Daniel Belasco is the Curator of the Samuel Dorsky Museum of Art at SUNY New Paltz. He formerly was the Henry J. Leir Associate Curator at The Jewish Museum in New York. A noted art critic, he publishes regularly in art and cultural journals and teaches contemporary art at The Jewish Theological Seminary.

Free but reservations requested online at spertus.edu/JewishDesign.

Spertus gratefully acknowledges the partnership of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation.


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mini-courseMondays, July 8, 15, 22, and 29 from 11 am to 1 pm

Takes place at: North Suburban Synagogue Beth El 1175 Sheridan Road, Highland Park

Jewish Music, Jewish Communities As Jewish communities grew and developed all over the world, their music grew with them. In four sessions led by Rachel Adelstein, you will have an opportunity to discover the rich history of Jewish music from around the world.

Learn about musical references in the Torah, trace the development of cantorial music, examine some uniquely American aspects of Jewish music, and explore the songs of Jewish communities in far-flung regions of the world.

Dr. Rachel Adelstein is an ethno- musicologist. Earlier this year she received her PhD from the University of Chicago, where her doctoral dissertation focused on women cantors. Her interests include music and the memory of the Holocaust, contemporary Jewish liturgical music, and artistic expressions of Jewish feminism.

Early Registration (by June 15) $120 | $100 for Spertus and Beth El members

Late Registration (June 16–July 2) $150 | $120 for Spertus and Beth El members

Kosher lunch included. Register online at spertus.edu or call 312.322.1773.

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“A sharp-tongued, sweet-natured masterpiece of Jewish family life.” —Starred Kirkus Review

“A smart novel that tackles big issues.” —Chicago Tribune

“So readable, it’s practically edible.” —NPR’s All Things Considered

An Amazon Book of the Month

Jami Attenberg


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jewish book month

One Book | One Community Spertus is again pleased to spearhead One Book | One Community, our community’s Jewish Book Month initiative. This year’s pick, Jami Attenberg’s The Middlesteins, is a story of marriage, family, and obsessions, set in suburban Chicago, right here in our own backyard!

Jami Attenberg has written for the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, Salon, and more. Her debut collection of stories, Instant Love, was published in 2006. She is also the author of the novels The Kept Man and The Melting Season. Her third novel, The Middlesteins, was published in October 2012 by Grand Central Publishing. It appeared on The New York Times bestseller list and will be published in England, Taiwan, Russia, Italy, France, Turkey, and The Netherlands this year. She grew up in Buffalo Grove and lives in Brooklyn.

Visit spertus.edu/Middlesteins for information. Programs start in October with resources for book groups and for those reading on their own.

JUF News is the Media Sponsor of One Book | One Community.

bre akfastMonday, July 1 at 8:30 am

Jewish Leadership and Learning in an Israeli ContextA Conversation with University of Haifa President Amos Shapira

Amos Shapira is the 10th President of the University of Haifa and one of Israel’s leading business figures, having served as managing director of El Al Israel Airlines and of Cellcom Israel Ltd. He has been a central force in fostering academia collaboration and coexistence among the various sectors and strata of Israeli society, including between Jews and Arabs, and secular and Orthodox Jews. He has also served as

co-chairman of the Israeli Palestinian Business Council, a nonpolitical organization sponsored by the World Economic Forum, aimed at promoting business ties between Israelis and Palestinians.

$10 | Buy tickets online at spertus.edu or call 312.322.1773.

Free for Spertus students and alumni. Advance reservations required to Lisa Del Sesto at [email protected]

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Star of David stained glass window from Temple Emanuel, c. 1908. Chicago History Museum purchase, 1992.468.

Special offer for Spertus members Present your membership card for free admission to the Chicago History Museum through the end of the Shalom Chicago exhibit. Receive discounted pricing on all Shalom Chicago programs. Exhibit runs through September 2, 2013.


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e xhibitAt the Chicago History Museum 1601 N. Clark Street, Chicago

Shalom ChicagoAn exhibit about the city’s Jewish communityPresented in collaboration with Spertus, Shalom Chicago is an exhibit at the Chicago History Museum about the city’s Jewish community. It illustrates the community’s rich history and contributions to Chicago’s growth and development through personal stories, rare artifacts (many on loan from Spertus), and engaging multimedia presentations.

312.642.4600 | chicagohistory.org Parking available at the corner of Stockton and LaSalle

bus tourSunday, August 11 from 1 pm to 5 pm Tour begins and ends at the Chicago History Museum

The Synagogue SpeaksIn conjunction with Shalom Chicago, join expert tour guide and architectural historian Rolf Achilles as he takes you on a bus tour of Chicago-area synagogues. From balustrades to bimahs, explore the architecture, art, and sacred stories from the oldest synagogue to the greenest.

Rolf Achilles is a curator, author, and art and architecture historian who has lectured and written extensively about architecture in Chicago, including a book co-authored with Norman Schwartz on the stained glass windows of Temple Sholom. He teaches art history and historic preservation at the School of the Art Institute and has a new book, due out in June, on the development of the Chicago Skyscraper, 1880–1910.

$55 | $50 for Spertus and Chicago History Museum members For reservations call 312.642.4600 or visit chicagohistory.org

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Friedrich Adler, Etrog Box, 1913–14, manufactured by Peter Bruckmann & Sons, Heilbronn. Silver repousée with ivory. Inscription: Leviticus 23:40. Spertus Institute collection.

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e xhibits | collections

Spertus Collection Highlights on ViewHighlights from Spertus Institute’s extensive collections of art and archival materials are on view at Spertus—and beyond.

When you visit Spertus for programs, classes, research, or shopping, view artwork on display and learn about the unique architecture of the award-winning Spertus building in a free Self-Guided Tour. Just stop in the Spertus Shop and ask for your complimentary copy of the tour brochure.

Globetrotting JudaicaSeveral important pieces from the Spertus collection recently returned home from a star-turn in Israel. These rare works by German Jewish designer Friedrich Adler were a highlight of Friedrich Adler: Ways and Byways at the Tel Aviv Museum of Art. Adler, who was born in Laupheim in 1878 and perished at Auschwitz in 1942, was a leading member of the Deutscher Werkbund, the German Craft Alliance. He believed in art’s ability to effect change and his creations reflect the innovation of early modern industrial design.

May 1–September 15

The Bewitched TailorCurrently on display on Spertus Institute’s 7th floor, see a series of lithographs by Russian Jewish artist Anatoli Lvovich Kaplan (1902–1980). These prints illustrate Yiddish writer Sholem Aleichem’s The Bewitched Tailor, the story of a poor and hapless tailor who tries to buy a milk goat for his demanding wife. Kaplan began illustrating the writer’s work in the 1930s, amid a rising tide of anti-Semitism, giving visual expression to the imaginative and often dark humor of his stories.

Exhibit Hours Sunday-Wednesday 10 am–5 pm Thursday 10 am–6 pm Friday 10 am–3 pm Closed to the public Saturdays and Jewish and secular holidays.

Admission is free.

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“What’s happening in Jewish America is a renaissance. It’s inclusive, pluralistic, organic, and dynamic. The Spertus degree is fantastic, because it informs how I interact with this community.”

Tom Samuels, Membership and Programming Director for the Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation in Evanston, Illinois


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degree progr am

Master of Arts in Jewish Professional StudiesSpertus Institute’s Master of Arts in Jewish Professional Studies (MAJPS) is a new model of learning and training for Jewish professionals. This unique graduate program offers core courses in the areas of classical and contemporary Jewish knowledge that are most relevant to Jewish communal life today, combined with essential professional skills development, concentration courses, and individualized study to advance students’ personal and professional interests.

Four concentration areas available: Nonprofit Management Jewish Education Camping and Experiential Education Jewish Studies

Visit spertus.edu/MAJPS for more information.

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Scholarships Now AvailableSpertus is pleased to announce the Legacy Heritage Midcareer Fellowship. With generous support of the Legacy Heritage Fund, scholarships are available to qualified students who begin the MAJPS program this fall.

Did you know?Tuition and fees paid for accredited higher education (like the graduate and certificate programs at Spertus) may qualify for a deduction of up to $4,000 on your federal taxes, depending on your income. Check with your tax adviser for details.

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“This program is geared for people with full, busy lives. The schedule is accommodating.”

Joey Spilberg, MSNM Alumnus, Research Associate, Chicago Arts Partnership in Education


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Master of Science in Nonprofit ManagementLearn. Lead. Inspire.At Spertus Institute, we believe that strong leaders build and sustain strong communities. Whether you’re seeking to effect local change or global impact, the place to start is with the Spertus Master of Science in Nonprofit Management (MSNM) program. The MSNM program is offered in three convenient formats: a one-evening-per-week program, an accelerated evening program, and an accelerated daytime format that can be completed in just one year.

Students of all backgrounds have access to Spertus’ world-class faculty and highly applicable curriculum. Course topics range from strategic planning to revenue development, providing experiences you can immediately put to use in your current role, plus leadership skills and a network of colleagues to pave the way for career development. Our graduates go on to create change as nonprofit administrators, fundraisers, political officials, grassroots organizers, community advocates, educators, and social entrepreneurs.

MSNM Offers: A pragmatic and relevant education designed for nonprofit leaders Cohort model that promotes collaborative learning and peer support Effective, dynamic faculty with real-world experience and academic distinction 67% of MSNM Alumni report promotion or better job within 1 year of graduation

Applications now being accepted for 2013 cohorts.

Join us for an upcoming Information SessionMonday, June 3 at noon Monday, July 8 at 6 pm Monday, August 5 at 6 pm

Visit spertus.edu/nonprofit to RSVP or learn more.

Can’t attend an Information Session? Call or email to set up an individual meeting. We can even set up a coffee date near your home or office. Contact Susan Greenwald at [email protected] or 312.322.1707.

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“The opportunity for independent study has really helped me to focus on what I need to do to become a hospital chaplain.”

Michale Wacks, Distance Learner

Asher Library Hours Sunday 12–4 pm Monday-Thursday 4–6:30 pm The Asher Library is closed Fridays and Saturdays.

To search the Asher Library catalog, visit spertus.edu/library


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degree progr ams

5000+ years of Jewish Learning Fresh, contemporary relevance for you and your careerOnsite in Chicago and through distance learningAt Spertus Institute, our accredited graduate programs encourage future leaders to grapple with Jewish ideas in the service of personal, professional, and communal advancement. Masters and doctoral programs in Jewish Studies are offered onsite in Chicago and through distance learning.

Summer SeminarSeveral times during the year, Spertus hosts masters and doctoral students from across the United States, Canada, and Israel for intensive on-campus seminars. Students choose from courses on a range of literary, historical, and theological themes, taught by distinguished faculty.

Our next seminar takes place July 7–11, making right now a great time to begin one of the Spertus Jewish Studies programs.

To learn more, visit spertus.edu/academics

“The advantage is being in an environment where we can share ideas and be part of a broader group.”Seminar Participant Robert Knoll

collections

Asher LibraryThe Asher Library collection at Spertus includes Jewish-interest fiction and non-fiction books, periodicals, films, and music from all over the world. While our primary emphasis is on collections and services for Spertus students and the Jewish community, our library is open to the public and responds to inquiries from around the globe.

Spertus members receive Asher Library borrowing privileges, interlibrary loan, and access to our online resources. See page 31 for info about becoming a Spertus member.


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Venue SIX10, located within Spertus Institute for Jewish Leadership and Learning, offers exceptional event space on Chicago’s Michigan Avenue. Partnering with Spertus Kosher Catering/Wolfgang Puck Catering, VenueSIX10 brings together creativity, excellence, great food, and outstanding hospi- tality. We offer you the perfect place to host nonprofit galas, corporate gatherings, weddings, and other social events.

Event spaces available include the 400-seat state-of-the-art Feinberg Theater and Landing Pre-Function space, the Crown Family Great Hall, and Gallery 10 with magnificent views of the Chicago lakefront. Numerous breakout rooms are also available to support your event.

For more information visit venuesix10.com or call Facility Rental 312.322.1725 or Catering 312.322.1718.

Your Event. Our Space.

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Nambe Bubbly Flute Pair, $125

The Spertus Shop Chicago’s go-to place for all things Jewish.


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Spertus Shop HoursSunday–Monday 10 am–5 pm Wednesday 10 am–5 pm Thursday 10 am–6 pm Friday 10 am–3 pm Tuesday and Saturday Closed

Free ground shipping on orders over $100.

Michigan Avenue curbside pick-up is available for phone orders. Call in an order and we’ll deliver it to your car window so you don’t have to park!

Your purchases support Spertus programs, helping foster Jewish culture and education.

The Spertus Shop is endowed by George and Mae Bariff.

Annieglass Challah Tray, $235

Our knowledgeable staff can help you select just the right gift for any simcha, baby namings, bar/bat mitzvahs, weddings, and holidays.

Aviva Pomegranate Bowl w/ Spoon, $88

Mary Jurek Silvana Kiddush Cup, $75

Visit our new online store at shop.spertus.edu to order anytime or call toll-free 888.322.1740.

Wedding season is finally upon us, and what a sweet time it will be.

And speaking of sweet, our beautiful Rosh Hashanah products can help you ring in a sweet new year!

What brought you to Spertus to pursue a graduate degree in Nonprofit Manangement?

I felt that I was missing academic grounding to support the informal learning I had gained through on-the-job experience.

What did you gain from the program?

I became a more confident, polished, and mature professional. My public speaking and writing skills improved. I built lasting relationships with other professionals from whom I continue to learn.

Furthermore, Spertus gave me the confidence to take professional risks. As a result, I had the self-assurance to start my own consulting business and seek new opportunities.

Tell me about some of those opportunities and about your new position at Hillels of Illinois.

I am originally from Skokie. After graduating from Miami University in Ohio, I began my career at the Ohio State University Hillel Foundation. As president of their th Columbus Young Jewish Professionals group, I became highly involved in the Jewish community. After some time working for the Children’s Hunger Alliance, I was hired as Young Leadership Director of the Columbus Jewish Federation.

When I returned to Chicago I joined the staff at Northwestern University Hillel. I spent six years there in various capacities, including Interim Executive Director, a position I started at the same time I began the MSNM program at Spertus. After completing my degree and having my daughter, I became a fundraising consultant, founding Topaz Consulting. I also spent time developing my husband’s business, Golden Ceramic Dental Lab in Northbrook, using skills I learned in the MSNM program.

I just recently returned to working in the Jewish Federation system, accepting the position of Director of Development with the Hillels of Illinois. I’ll be working with Illinois campuses to increase their fundraising capacity.

What advice do you have for other nonprofit professionals or those considering a career in the nonprofit sector?

As a nonprofit professional, I’ve never felt like I was going to work in a traditional way. I have always worked in supportive environments where I’ve been part of wonderful communities, learning and growing while contributing to a greater good. The Spertus MSNM program helped take my career to the next level. It’s designed specifically for working professionals, with professors who work in the nonprofit field and have a tremendous amount of expertise to offer.

Your donations to Spertus support opportunities for professionals like Cydney Topaz to grow their skills and give back to the community. To learn how you can help, contact Director of Development Nancy Glazer at [email protected] or 312.322.1262.

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alumni profile

An Interview with Cydney TopazSpertus recently caught up with Cydney Topaz, a 2011 graduate of our Master of Science in Nonprofit Management program and the new Director of Development for Hillels of Illinois.


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benefits of membership

Become a Spertus Member TodayEnjoy the Benefits of Jewish Learning and Culture!

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Online access to the Feinberg eCollection

Library borrowing privileges

10% discount in the Spertus Shop

Discounts on tickets to performances, lectures, author events, and more

Discount on mini-courses and workshops

Benefits for two people and a second member card

Recognition as a donor in print and online

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*Adults over 65 are eligible to receive a Household membership at a discounted rate of $40.

All membership contributions are 100% tax deductible. To become a member, visit donate.spertus.edu/membership. Please call 312.322.1777 or email [email protected] for more information.

Tributes and Memorial Giving Are Special Ways to Express Love and GratitudeSearching for a meaningful way to celebrate a special person or occasion? Make a contribution in honor or remembrance of someone remarkable in your life. Spertus will send a card acknowledging your tribute to the contact person you designate.

Do you have a special celebration coming up? Request that donations be made to Spertus in lieu of gifts for your wedding, birthday, anniversary, or bar and bat mitzvah.

You can make a tribute gift online at donate.spertus.edu or call 312.322.1758.

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