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Avraham Mendall Mor
A lot of people dream of seeing their name in lights someday. Well, Avraham Mor can literally make that happen. As one of Chicago’s top lighting designers, Avi has lit up some of the city’s biggest institutions and hottest spots, including the Shedd Aquarium’s Polar Play Zone and Oceanarium, the Art Institute of Chicago’s modern wing, Revolution Brewing Company, the Wit Hotel and more. Plus, he does it as a LEED accredited professional, meaning his designs are sustainable and reduce energy use. He was inducted as a professional member of the International Association of Lighting Designers at the age of 30 and often speaks at conferences and events about the present and future of lighting.
“Avi is well known in the lighting community as a passionate leader and charismatic speaker who is able to rally groups around a cause and effectively lead teams to success,” said Sharan Tash, Avi’s mother, who nominated him for Double Chai in the Chi. She said he also brings this spirit to his Judaism and is “always willing to connect new Chicagoans to the Jewish community.”
Avi’s true love, however, is open water. He is an avid recreational and competitive sailor and a member of the Chicago Yacht Club.
Age:
34
Primary gig:
Partner at Lightswitch Architechtural
On the side:
Cruising sailor and racing sailor
Relationship status:
In a serious relationship
How do you give back?
Buy a sailboat and race all year round, all over the world
Describe yourself in 10 words or less:
Passionate, creative, stern, technical, and kind-hearted
Celebrity doppelganger/who would play you in a movie:
Jon Lovitz
How do you Jew in Chicago?
There is not a person I meet who does not know I’m Jewish … I am constantly teaching others about who the Jewish people are.
Passions:
Sailing, technology
Chicago's Jewish community in 10 years:
Stronger, more connected, and more sailors
Me in 10 years:
Running one of the largest lighting design practices in the world, living in Chicago and owning a racing boat, with my wife.
