Jewish Chicago:1948 and Beyond

In this sequel to WTTW's highly-praised documentary about the early history of Jewish Chicago, we follow Chicago's Jewish community as it spreads out across the Chicago metropolitan area, and sample the incredibly diverse array of Jewish life today. Chicago actor Mike Nussbaum returns to narrate the sequel. The program is introduced by Chicago Stories Senior Editor John Callaway.

HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE

• Memories of West Rogers Park and Albany Park
  
• A kosher inspection in the kitchens of Eli's Cheesecake
  
• Frantic Friday afternoon preparations for Shabbos in a Lubavitcher home
  
• A Yeshiva where students passionately discuss and debate ancient Jewish texts
  
• Spertus Institute of Jewish Studies
  
• Skokie's response to the threatened neo-Nazi march in 1978, and the holocaust memorial monument the village erected in 1987
  
• The role of Jews in building Park Forest including Nathan Manilow and Philip M. Klutznik
  
• Suburban Jewish communities and congregations to the north, northwest, west and south of Chicago
  
• Waldheim Cemetery in Forest Park
  
• Temple Sholom in Chicago
  
• A visit to a Sephardic congregation
  
• The Jewish Council on Urban Affairs and Jewish-led efforts for social justice in Chicago and across the country
  
• Alternative and non-denominational forms of observance including small "do-it-yourself" chavurot and Humanistic Judaism
  
• Jewish dating!
  
• Friday Night Live, a musical Shabbat service for young adults
  
• Young families returning to the city renewing interest in urban Jewish life
  

FEATURED INTERVIEWS
Scott Turow, novelist and lawyer
Jan Schakowsky, congresswoman
Harold Ramis, film director and actor
Howard Carroll, former state senator
Irving Cutler, historian and author of "The Jews of Chicago"
Rabbi Arnold Wolf
Cantor Alberto Mizrahi, Anshe Emet
Rabbi Asher Lopatin, Anshe Sholom
Rabbi Philip Lefkowitz, Agudas Achim
Rabbi David Oler, Beth Or
Marne Loveman, Young Adult Director, JCC
Dr. Steven Nasatir, President, Jewish Federation/JUF


Jewish Chicago: 1948 and Beyond is written and produced by Geoffrey Baer. Co-produced by Dan Protess. Original music is by Chris Ussery, whose previous work at WTTW11 includes the music for Chicago's North Shore. He also composed the music for the Jewish television series The Magic Door. Collaborating with Ussery is Russian violinist Alex Koffman, a member of the Maxwell Street Klezmer Band. Series Producer of Chicago Stories is Mary Field and the Executive Producer is VJ McAleer.