Jewish Community Centers of Chicago history

In 1911, a group of women banded together to form the Women’s Auxiliary to assist in the establishment in a more permanent Chicago Hebrew Institute.

In 1913, the Chicago Hebrew Institute appointed Philip Seman as General Director, a position he held with national distinction for the next 32 years.

In response, the Institute opened a Milk Station in 1914 to provide basic nourishment and sustenance to impoverished new Americans.

To continue Phillip Seman’s and Chicago Hebrew Institute’s mission of providing opportunities for self-improvement and healthy physical development, the Institute opened its first state-of-the-art gymnasium and natatorium on Taylor and Lytle Streets in 1915.

1916 To continue its commitment to education, the Institute opened an evening high school for working men and women who wanted to further their education.

1922 Chicago Hebrew Institute was renamed the Jewish People’s Institute (JPI).

During the late 1930’s, Chicago’s Jewish population began to shift to new neighborhoods throughout the city.

1931 The estimated Jewish population in the Lawndale area was 75,400 people, 67%. JPI’s membership soared for the following 2 ½ decades.

1933 During the Depression, the City of Chicago was forced to close Crane Junior College because of lack of funds.

Since its introduction in 1946, the JCC branch concept grew to eight neighborhood Centers, serving the needs of diverse Jewish families throughout Chicagoland.

1949 JCC of Chicago established two new branches: Hyde Park Club (5200 S. University Ave, Chicago) and Rogers Park JCC (1222 W. Morse Ave., Chicago).

By 1953, JCC served over 800 older adults at 11 Golden Age Clubs throughout Chicagoland.

1955 The Rogers Park JCC relocated from 1222 West Morse Ave., Chicago to 7101 N. Greenview Ave., Chicago.

1957 A group of Rabbis from Niles Township visited the Jewish Federation to plead for the establishment of a JCC in their community.

1959 The agency opened the Henry N. Hart JCC (9101 S. Jeffery Blvd., Chicago).

1960 The Bernard Horwich JCC opened in Rogers Park (3003 W. Touhy Ave, Chicago).

1966 A separate teen camp and senior adult camp were opened on the grounds of Camp Chi (Lake Delton, WI). The facility offered pre-and post-summer season camping for families.

By 1970, JCC was working in partnership with every Jewish Federation agency and was involved in programs at over 30 synagogues, including day camps, preschools, senior adult groups, and other programs for informal Jewish education.

1971 Mayer Kaplan JCC opened at 5050 Church St, Skokie.

1972 JCC assumed responsibility on behalf of the Jewish Federation for College Age Youth Services, an initiative that worked to create a sense of Jewish community for Jewish students on campuses throughout Illinois.

1974 Beginning in 1974, Mayer Kaplan and Rogers Park JCCs assumed a major role as service centers for Soviet Jewish immigrants.

1976 Rogers Park JCC began offering the agency’s first full-day day care center.

1977 JCC established the Lincoln Park/Lakeview JCC, offering day camp for ages 3 years-3rd grade, Mom & Tot programs, and programs for young adults.

In 1980, the National Jewish Population Study was published and it announced that the rate of interfaith marriage among Jews was on the rise.

1983 The Anita M. Stone JCC secured its own building in Flossmoor, IL in response to a growing Jewish population in the southern suburbs.

1984 The Northwest Suburban JCC moved to Buffalo Grove to serve the increasing numbers of Jewish families in the northwest suburbs.

1986 JCC purchased property in Northbrook for a day camp, named the “Z” Frank Apachi Day Camp in memory of Zollie S. Frank.

1988 JCC of Chicago hosted nearly 2,000 young athletes from around the world for the North American Maccabi Youth Games, the largest youth sporting event in the world.

Also in 1996, JCC launched Project Chesed (kindness), a program developed to assist community members in need.