Lincolnwood residents savored memories and nostalgia for West Rogers Park on April 2,when the Lincolnwood Library hosted “Growing Up Jewish in West Rogers Park,” in collaboration with Jewish Neighborhood Development Council of Chicago. The event featured a photo exhibit, “Then and Now: 10 Decades of Jewish Community in West Rogers Park,” and a documentary screening of “Driving West Rogers Park: Chicago’s Once and Future Jewish Neighborhood.”

Former Lincolnwood resident Robert Doppelt shared childhood memories of gazing east across the North Shore Channel at his grandparents’ Winston Towers’ building and longing for a shorter walk to get there. In a letter to the audience, Lincolnwood Mayor Jesal Patel, who was unable to attend the special program due to a scheduling conflict, anticipated “a new era for Thillens” and announced Village approval for an effort to install a pedestrian bridge at Pratt to eliminate the longest stretch of uncrossable river in the Chicago River System. The Mayor’s letter went on to say: “This pedestrian bridge will connect Lincolnwood’s Centennial Park to Park 538, but more importantly, it will provide a critical connection for our communities.”

JNDC President Beverly Siegel, chosen for special recognition by State Sen. Ram Villivalam in connection with Women’s History Month, cited her volunteer work “to improve the value proposition of living in West Rogers Park” as some of the most gratifying she’s done. Having enjoyed a rewarding career as a freelance writer, public relations professional and award-winning documentary filmmaker, the life-long Chicagoan and Northside resident has been devoting her energies for the past four years to the JNDC mission of strengthening and enhancing West Rogers Park and surrounding city and suburban areas.

Some of the achievements of which she’s most proud include a growing roster of free nature programming for adults and children at Park 538, which runs along the Chicago River System between Touhy and Albion avenues, sponsored in collaboration with Chicago Audubon Society, Chicago Park District, Met. Water Reclamation District and Peggy Notebaert Museum; well-attended forums for aspiring entrepreneurs featuring successful professionals; effective advocacy for government-supported programs to assist local shopkeepers whose stores have been vandalized as well as assistance for local shopkeepers in need of storefront-improvement grants; collaboration with Lincolnwood on projects of joint interest, and raising awareness of the unique history of Jewish West Rogers Park. She finds it especially gratifying that the beneficiaries of JNDC efforts include people of all backgrounds.

“I realized my success would be based on my being proactive,” said Dr. Zahava Berkowicz, founder and clinical director of IMMA, a family wellness and acupuncture practice in Northbrook. Recounting her path to setting goals and building her business, Dr. Berkowicz was one of four featured speakers at “EmpowerHer 2024,” a goal-setting roundtable and networking event sponsored by JNDC and The Jewish Woman Entrepreneur, Jan. 31 at the Bernard Horwich JCC. 

The program drew more than 40 business owners, entrepreneurs, executives, and professionals, hailing from the East Loop to West Rogers Park and Lincolnwood to the northwest suburbs, to a program geared to providing an inspiring exchange of ideas, insights, and strategies, and to promoting economic vitality in the Jewish community.

“Working everyday to build my business and juggle my client’s needs, I found it so invigorating to hear what other women in my position had to say and to learn from their experiences.  I got some great ideas for improving and growing my business,” said Haylee Schwartz, a Gold Coast real estate agent.

Speakers included Talia Mashiach, founder and CEO of Eved, a global payment platform for events, media and entertainment; Wendy Margolin, CEO, Sparkr Marketing, and Laura Luckman Kelber, Chief Marketing Office, Double Good.

“It was so inspiring to hear from the speakers about their career paths, and the tools they use to set goals for their business,” said Mimi Russell Polsky, owner of Lolipop Gifts. “I’m excited to use what I’ve learned as I continue my business journey.”

Sponsors included Illinois Sen. Ram Villivalam and Rep. Kevin Olickal.