JNDC Chicago and Park 538 Advisory Council Present a Free Family Event at Park 538
6:00-7:30 p.m., Thursday, July 22
Across the street from Cooper Center (6671 N. Kedzie)
at Kedzie and Wallen
JNDC Builds Bridges with Rohingya Community
JNDC was represented at the Rohingya Cultural Center (2740 W. Devon) on July 8 when the local Jewish and Rohingya communities met for an evening of fellowship and learning about each other’s history and traditions. About 30 people in total attended. The groups mingled at mixed tables, over dinner respecting dietary traditions of both faiths. Interactions grew more animated over an “art project” that encouraged participants to inscribe rocks with words or images of happy feelings of loving-kindness. Thank you to Rabbi Ari Hart of Skokie Valley Agudath Jacob for inviting Jewish Neighborhood Development Council of Chicago to participate in the ongoing effort to ease the Rohingya immigrant transition.
Better Look, Better Business on Devon
After a dispute with city inspectors forced Arturo Venegas, proprietor of Robert’s Fish Market, 2916 W. Devon, to remove his distinctive awning, JNDC helped him regain his iconic look.
While Arturo continued to cut the finest filets at Chicago’s only kosher fish store, JNDC worked through the maze of details, partnering with the Rogers Park Business Alliance to obtain special funding, securing estimates and signatures, and obtaining permits in the application process with assistance from 50th Ward Alderman Debra Silverstein and her staff.
In an article in The Forward, Arturo said that the sign being down for more than a year hurt business.
Customers driving east on Devon wouldn’t see the sign, so they’d drive right past him. “They would drive all the way to Broadway,” said Venegas. “They’d call me and ask, ‘did you move?’ And I’d say, ‘No, we are still here.’” That’s when JNDC stepped in to help.
Since Robert’s got the new sign up, old – and even new — customers have found him. “Business has increased,” said Venegas, relieved, grateful and busy.
Boosting Business Development in WRP
The West Ridge Chamber of Commerce announced the launch of the 1871 “Start-Up Student Program,” a collaboration of Chicago’s premier hi-tech business incubator, Hebrew Theological College/Blitstein Institute, and Jewish Neighborhood Develop Council of Chicago, aimed at increasing economic vitality in the neighborhood.
The program, now underway, is designed to equip students with digital and problem-solving skills so they can assist start-ups and small businesses in the West Rogers Park community.
Select Blitstein Institute students participating in the pilot program will train for 12 weeks on 1871’s DGTL digital learning platform. These students will then be eligible to earn certification to become 1871 “Start-Up Student Interns.”
Certified students will be assigned to aspiring local entrepreneurs and small businesses in our community.
The West Ridge Chamber, through its 1871-affiliated Northside Business Opportunity Center, and Jewish Neighborhood Development Council of Chicago are jointly producing and coordinating this innovative program.
WRP Doc Stokes Suburbanites’ Memories
Nearly 60 people enjoyed memories of Devon Avenue and West Rogers Park in bygone days when
North Suburban Synagogue Beth El of Highland Park sponsored a zoom program of “Driving West Rogers Park: Chicago’s Once and Future Jewish Neighborhood.”
Among the post-screening comments, a man asked nostalgically if the Nortown Theatre were still on Western — no, it’s a Wendy’s now. And a woman who grew up in Wisconsin fondly recalled visits to her grandparents who lived on Mozart and going shopping at Carol Corr, the exclusive girls’ clothing shop on the corner of Mozart and Devon. JNDC Executive Director Ellen Doppelt, who grew up in the area, spoke of her strong feelings of connection to the neighborhood and concern for its future.
A Sign of Improvement!
After a dispute with the city forced Arturo to remove an earlier sign, JNDC went to bat for Chicago’s only kosher fish market, partnering with the Rogers Park Business Alliance to secure and fund the new awning. With thanks to 50th Ward Alderman Debra Silverstein, and her staff for assisting with the permit application process, Robert’s Fish Market is now easily and attractively visible. Come to Devon and experience the freshest fish!