Spertus

In April, I saw author Martin Goldsmith speak here on his newest book Alex’s Wake. I could easily go on and on about the building’s beautiful architecture (the lecture was on the 10^th floor with a view overlooking Grant Park at dusk), but this post is mainly about the lecture.
Spertus Institute put together a great event where Goldsmith recounted his journey throughout Europe retracing his grandfather’s steps and had a nice long Q&A afterward. After reading his book, it was wonderful to hear him in person — after all, he used to work for NPR. If their other events are as put-​together as this was, I look forward to attending more in the future.
Also — a few comments say there’s a kosher café but Spertus no longer has one. But its on Michigan Ave so there many other places nearby to eat before or after an event.

Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning and Leadership
Spertus is a well hidden gem in Chicago.
I personally love museums, so seeking out different museums is kinda my thing. I studied in Austria, and when we visited a grave site in Germany on a field trip to learn about some of the Jewish history in Europe, — there was a group of men (white) that were defacing, breaking tombstones, throwing trash (blood and pig intestines) and screaming… police were too late to catch them and we stumbled into overhearing them not knowing what was going on until after the fact. Unfortunately– there is still hatred and racism in Europe.
Why do I bring this up? Because there is still a need for more peace and understanding. So, I wanted to learn more.
The most light hearted exhibit that I loved seeing was the HUMOR brought to America from Jewish comedians. The need to laugh is so fundamental and powerful. It was so wonderful to have different Jewish comedians highlighted and how important they were to American tv and film industries.
Since much of the Jewish history is near the middle east, it is wonderful to see the kids tie in to make exploration relevant– how did they do this? By promoting the scientific tools of archeology and what it takes to go on a dig to discover real science. Really proud of making science hands on and real world for students. (on a side note, went to the Bishop museum and the docent in a hands on exhibit said a real world application for the audience of 9 year olds was when NASA wanted to hit Pluto with a satellite they tried to hit where it would be in time not where it was now– really that is real world to 9 year olds??? No –not at all). To a 9 year old, mapping and gridding a sand box that is filled with toys or puzzle pieces that fit a drawing that they will make later– that is totally real world.
My parents say that the Holocaust museum in DC is powerful. It is important to learn about the history and they do a good job if not as big as DC but just as important. It is sober history, always powerful and important to learn. Again I was impressed that they shared who were also prisoners besides Jews. That made me understand more and it was stuff I never learned in school. So important.
The book store is pretty good. There are kids books about Golam (the rock creature that helps protect a family from harm). There are dradels and other more Old Testaments/​holy books. A pretty good book store that is highly specific but relevant to Americans in general.
I heard more than a few different lectures by different Torah scholars. Really interesting take on the Bible. It is a learning museum and take advantage of different visiting scholars when you can.
Very cool museum.

I love this place! They put on some amazing programs. I saw two of my favorite authors, Shalom Auslander and Jonathan Safran Foer, speak in Spertus’ gorgeous theater. I would definitely go back for another event.
And their gift shop is awesome and definitely worth mentioning (and that says a lot for someone in their 20s). I bought a Leah Lerner leather bag there, which I’m always get complimented on (not to brag, but yes, to brag).
Also I’ve been there a few times for networking events — their event space is beautiful!

I graduated from this school in 1989 and it was a great school and it helped me a great deal. It was great for learning how to deal in the world of non-​profit organizations.

I have been waiting for the chance to go to the Spertus Institute since it opened. I walked by many times and said «I should stop it one day.» It is a very unique building, the architecture is just beautiful to view from the street.
I had the chance to go inside earlier today for a meeting. I was completely impressed with the layout and all the open spaces. I can’t wait to go back and explore some more.

This college is open, and it’s time for me to change my life. Or least explore an option that I think MIGHT change it. I need management skills, and I can learn them here. Super low tuition and a respected institution to learn how to make the world a better place.

I was here for an event and was quite impressed with the space. Helpful staff at the front door directed us to the floor needed, once we got upstairs the staff working the event was great.
What a unique space mixing modern design with history and an amazing view of the lake.

A great organization, learning institute, and museum, all packed into a wonderful modern architectural gem. South Michigan Ave has some great buildings, and this one stands out as being the most innovative. If you are a member you sometimes can get discounts on relevant jewish goings-​on around town and pop in anytime to see the cool exhibits they have upstairs. I have been here for various readings and it is a very comfortable place to be. The design is so fresh. Even if you are not Jewish, I recommend checking out what is inside this eye-​catching building.

WOOO HOOO I LOVE THIS PLACE!!! Where else can a goy with a love of Jewish stuff get his Jew love on? Right here at Spertus Institute of Jewish Studies of course! We happened on this place by pure accident a bit ago on a visit to Chicago. Up on the upper floor there is a rotating gallery of Jewish artists from all walks of life displaying their creativity. On one of the lower levels there is a good sized display of Jewish artifacts dating I’d say to the late 1800’s to pretty recent. The story those trinkets, Menorahs, Torahs and chests could tell. There is also a library which I did not get a chance to explore but I am sure is quite extensive on all things Jewish. I found the staff that I came across to be quite friendly and professional which was nice. I feel that they know they are providing a great and much needed service and even though it is a museum and education center they are not at all stuffy and would love to offer up some wonderful knowledge. Oh there is a gift shop where one can purchase all kinds of books, clothing, coffee mugs and odds and ends for Holy days. Looking at their calander it looks like there are lectures and meeting groups that would be quite educational and fun. I am for sure going to put that on my list of things to do when I am back in the lovely city of Chicago. I would highly recommend checking this place out.

we were staying at the Essex inn just down the street so we walked past this place a few times and I saw that they had a museum hey I am all about learning something new so we made plans to check it out
and I am so glad we did it was a real good experience to see stuff from up and coming artist we might have never heard of and to see a lot different aspects of Jewish life from over the years
they have 3 floors of stuff to check out and like most museums they rotate what they have on display so go and check it out you wont be sorry
and they have a cool little gift shop with stuff made by Jewish artist

I’m torn in different directions as I write a review about the Spertus Institute, partially because I’m so pissed off at my own people for our shortcomings that this «museum» is the ONLY thing anywhere in Chicago’s city limits that has Jewish artifacts. Oh, sure there’s the Holocaust Museum that is being built… or is it finished? I don’t know because Skokie is such a lame brain place to put the only Jewish Holocaust museum in the Midwest, and it’s a major day trip for anyone without a car to get there via public trans. Then again, most Jews living in Chicago, pre-​Jane Byrne era gave up on the city and fled to Skokie, Highland Park and Northbrook when a black person happened to walk in front of their Chicago home.
So as much as I’d like to think the museum is an enlightening experience, it really isn’t. The «collection» isn’t curated very well and has a surprisingly paltry number of artifacts. The café, which is a nice thought (WOW…imagine…having Kosher nibbles in an institution of Jewish studies. Man, what a ground breaking concept no other Jewish museum has ever thought of!), is pricey and about as inviting as the fractured ice cube the new addition resembles.

The staff is here is so friendly. The building is awesome… great design and views of Grant Park and the Lake beyond… wow. The collection is small and is displayed in a unique way the takes some getting used to… but the guide explained the rationale and then it made sense and seemed quite creative… Why should each museum present it’s collections is a similar manner. I applaud the curator’s choice to do something new. The building is really airy. There is a Kosher café with a selection of sandwiches and salads and soups by Wolfgang Puck. The whitefish sandwiches are good. Prices are high, however, the dining space is clean and nice.

The revamped Spertus Museum has a crinkly and funky folded glass façade designed by the local architecture firm Krueck and Sexton. I had wanted to explore the museum during the free Thursday afternoon hours, but was told that there was a private party eating up some of the spaces, and you had to wait for the guided tour that takes place every 30 minutes to see the permanent collection. I decided to skip the tour and come back another day to see what’s behind the cool façade of Spertus. Therefore my review is currently «incomplete» other than the glassy exterior and the colorful gift shop.

The building is beautiful and I was inspired by the architecture. But unfortunately that vision doesn’t seem to translate to the collection. We went on a tour with a docent and it was actually a pretty uncomfortable experience. Rather than providing some context and insight, the tour felt like a bad art 101 class. The permanent collection seems disorganized and disjointed.
However, I loved the «Post Jewish» installation because it was thought provoking and challenging. Most of the programming is also very interesting and I am more likely to attend one of the lectures that walk through the galleries again.

This review is for the new Spertus Museum. I’m giving it one star for the beautiful architecture as a lovely addition to the South Loop landscape, the another star for the gift shop which stocks a nice variety of Judaica and art.
The museum really needs to organize their exhibits better. I was extremely frustrated with the display on the 9^th floor. Items were stacked one on top of another with no categorization, description or order. It was difficult to see small items at the very top. Holocaust memorabilia was thrown in with other items lacking any reverence. The material is there it just needs to be organized… like a true museum.
I also did not care for the rotating exhibit on the top floor which was modern and explained as «Post-​Jewish». It truly upset me.
I was let down by the Spertus Museum. I’d never visited the original location because I was waiting to visit the new facility. From what I’ve heard it sounds like the original was better save for the new space and gift shop.
I’d be happy to return to the museum once they revamp the exhibits and have displays that the community can proudly stand behind.

The new Spertus is beautiful.
There is a core-​collection as well other rotating installations.
The Spertus Shop offers unique ceremonial items, home goods, jewelry, gifts, books, and more, including hard-​to-​find products by leading Israeli designers, and creative toys and books for kids.
There is an awesome new interactive Children’s Center. I also sampled the Kosher Café by Wolfgang Puck (cool!)

I took a couple of kids here once last year. The museum is pretty interesting, though what the kids liked best was the very child-​friendly archeology «dig» in the basement. This is very neat and educational. Basically there are several little dig sites modeled after actual sites in the Middle East.
The other exhibits were interesting, but I know that they change them out pretty frequently.
Also, if you need to buy someone a gift for a bar or bat mitvah, or for Chanakah gifts there is a really neat gift shop there with some neat appropriate gifts – especially for younger kids.