5959 Chicago

02/14/2023

Time for this discussion again. This piece is a few years old, but it still holds up about the conflict some of us may feel around observing a popular day with roots in Christianity.

Ah, Valentine’s Day. The Hallmark holiday in which red roses and heart-shaped balloons leave many singles bitter, and overpriced prix fixe meals leave many couples…[ Read More ]

02/13/2023

Save the date! On Sat., March 25, 5959 Chicago will present a full day of literary programming at Emanuel Congregation to celebrate Chicago Jewish literature.

The one-day Chicago Jewish Book Festival event will feature panel discussions, book readings and author interviews, and conclude with an evening celebration. Join us to celebrate local (and local-ish) Jewish authors and writing. Stay tuned right here for more details about the lineup, and for ticketing information.

(If you organization or business is interested in becoming involved, please contact organizer Amy Guth at [email protected].)

02/13/2023

“Young writers” and “30 under 30” lists abound in every field. With the goal of combating ageism, Lilith Magazine has created "The New 40," a cohort of women 40 years old to 80+ who are mostly new to writing for publication.

“Young writers” and “30 under 30” lists abound in every field. Doesn’t it seem a little unfair? Lilith believes in nurturing talent at any age. So in that spirit we created an exciting opport…

02/13/2023

A heartwarming essay about finding a sense of Jewish connection all over the world

On one of my first days in Cardiff, Wales, I was feeling overwhelmed. I would be spending the next week housesitting two rambunctious but adorable dogs in a residential neighborhood, 15 minutes by bus from the center of the city. It was a great gig arranged through Trusted Housesitters that allowed

02/13/2023

The author of this piece explains that the high school librarian at her child's school district was forced to take down an Elie Wiesel quote from his door: “We must take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented,” excerpting Wiesel’s 1986 Nobel Prize acceptance speech. Why was the quote taken down? It wasn’t considered fair and balanced.

This week, a high school librarian in my kids’ school district was forced to take down a quote from his door by revered Holocaust survivor, Elie Wiesel. “We must take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented,” the quote incl...

02/13/2023

100% accurate. Phil is the best.

I want Phil Rosenthal to adopt me. I’m sure I’m not the only one who has this feeling after watching Netflix’s “Somebody Feed Phil,” whose sixth season just premiered on the streaming platform this week (along with a cookbook inspired by the show). For those of you who have never heard abo...

02/13/2023

Breaking news, obviously:

It’s nearly impossible to succinctly describe Barbra Streisand. Yes, she’s a Jewish actress, but she’s also a triple threat, the original “Funny Girl,” an EGOT winner, a director, a Brooklynite, and one of the best selling recording artists of all time. But now, she’s finally claiming th...

11/17/2022

Tonight's the night! Cozy up around the warm glow of your Zoom screen and join us as author Carol Japha reads from her book, "Mapping Eden," discusses the book and her writing in an interview with Amy Guth, followed by audience Q&A. Everyone registered will receive a recording of the event afterwards, so if you can't make it, you can always watch later. Tickets are donate-what-you-wish, but pre-registration is required. See you soon!

Author Carol Japha discusses her book "Mapping Eden"

07/26/2022

A list we can all get behind!

Music serves as a constant background to the activities of summer. Picture relaxing at the pool or beach, gathering around campfires for acoustic song sessions and frolicking across carnival or festival grounds. Whether you’re spending vacation time jet-setting across the world or kicking back at ...

07/20/2022

This short film reminds us there is no one way to be Jewish

Like another famous Canadian export, the short film “Periphery” begins with a tree. The opening shot of the film shows a towering oak tree in High Park, in Toronto, on a bright sunny day. The camera glides over the tree’s serpentine branches and glistening green leaves as a voiceover describes...

07/15/2022

Now here's a useful guide: how to hora harder, better, faster, stronger... yes!

I don’t remember much about my brother’s wedding (thanks a lot, open bar), but I do remember the hora. It felt like it lasted for hours, around and around, circles on circles, reprise after reprise, a mess of sweaty joyous Jewish ecstasy. Eight years later and whenever it gets mentioned, someone...

07/13/2022

Worth your time to read: In June, NFTY North American Board members Daniella Abbott and Cameron Samuels joined HUC rabbinical student Kelly Whitehead to discuss how their trans and non-binary identities have influenced their attitude toward systems of oppressions in the wake of new legislation aimed at attacking q***r identities.

This Pride Month, NFTY North American Board members Daniella Abbott and Cameron Samuels joined HUC rabbinical student Kelly Whitehead to discuss how their trans and non-binary identities have influenced their attitude toward systems of oppressions in the wake of new legislation aimed at attacking qu...