Blog
Illuminating Learning: How Hanukkah’s Festival of Light Inspires Discovery in Early Childhood
As Hanukkah, the Festival of Light, approaches, our Early Childhood centers are aglow with a special warmth. Hanukkah invites us to pause, gather, and reflect on the power of light—its ability to bring warmth, clarity, connection, and hope. For young children, light holds a magical quality, especially when paired with their innate sense of wonder. […] Learn More ›
Finding Light in Shadows: Gratitude in a Tumultuous World
As Thanksgiving approaches, it’s hard to miss the flood of blogs and social media posts encouraging us to “count our blessings” or “be thankful.” But let’s be honest—after the past two years of relentless news cycles, from the war in Gaza to accelerating climate catastrophes to neighbors worrying about feeding their families, the weight of […] Learn More ›
JCC Chicago Early Childhood at ‘Z’ Frank Apachi Featured in Exchange Magazine for Groundbreaking Intergenerational Work
We’re honored to share that JCC Chicago Early Childhood at ‘Z’ Frank Apachi was featured in Exchange Magazine as a leader in intergenerational programming! The article, which explores the powerful impact of connecting younger and older generations, highlights the work of IDEAL18—a Chicago-based initiative—and specifically mentions the Grandfriends Program currently hosted at our ‘Z’ Frank […] Learn More ›
One J Moment After the Next: Celebrating Community at JCC Chicago’s 2025 Annual Meeting
On September 16, our community gathered for the 2025 JCC Chicago Annual Meeting & Staff Awards at our beautiful ‘Z’ Frank Apachi campus in Northbrook. The evening was filled with pride, joy, and a shared sense of purpose as we celebrated the impact of the J, recognized outstanding leaders, and looked ahead to a bright […] Learn More ›
Building Momentum: A Transformational Weekend in Chicago
From September 7–9, 2025, 120 Jewish women gathered at JCC Chicago’s Bernard Weinger JCC for the Momentum Fellowship Summit, a three-day journey rooted in Jewish values, courage, and community. Momentum is an organization created to “catalyze a movement of Jewish women who transform communities, strengthen Jewish life, and create ripples of positive change.” While Momentum […] Learn More ›
2,500 Reasons to Be Proud
This summer, our Apachi campers and families did something truly extraordinary. Together, we collected more than 2,500 kosher pantry items, valued at over $4,000, for The Ark—a vibrant hub of essential human services that lifts and strengthens the Jewish community. That’s 2,500 tangible reminders of what it means to live our value of Tikkun Olam, […] Learn More ›