Sara Block

Sara Block is a staunch defender of the safety and wellbeing of women and children. Currently an adjunct professor at Loyola University Chicago School of Law and a part-time instructor at Kaplan University’s undergraduate school, Sara works to protect victims of domestic abuse, including those in the child welfare system.

Sara’s passion for protecting women necessitated its own unique major at Northwestern University, emphasizing gender violence. While at NU, Sarah volunteered at Rape Victim Advocates and interned with the States Attorney’s Domestic Violence Division. Today, she works through a grant on a project that focuses on the intersection of domestic violence and child welfare.

Her work in domestic violence carries into the Jewish community as well. Sara is the youngest board member and president-elect for SHALVA. “Sara’s deep knowledge of the legal system and passion surrounding the issue of domestic violence has had an impact both inside and outside the Jewish community,” said SHALVA Executive Director Carol Ruderman, Sara’s nominator. Sara has been instrumental in reinstating SHALVA’s Legal Liason program and is involved with the National Council of Jewish Women’s Luggage for Freedom project.

Age:
31

Primary gig:
Full-time mom to Julia and Annie, Adjunct Professor in Loyola University Chicago School of Law's Masters of Jurisprudence in Child Law program, part-time instructor in Kaplan University's undergraduate school

On the side:
Working to ensure the better protection of women and children experiencing domestic violence and the child welfare system at the Family Defense Center as a Flom Incubator Grant Recipient through Skadden Arps LLP 

Relationship status:
Married to Greg Block

How do you give back?
Donating time and money to JUF, SHALVA, FIDF and other organizations.

Describe yourself in 10 words or less:
Lawyer, teacher and full time mother working to make the world a safer place for my daughters and all families.

Celebrity doppelganger or Who would you play in a movie:
Lea Michele (and I would love to have her voice!)

How do you Jew in Chicago?
Shabbat dinner at home with my daughters and husband; every December attending the Big Event (yay for Seth Meyers!)

Passions:
Travel, design/decor, tennis, teaching, my family 

If time and money were limitless, I would:
I would not change too much but I would live abroad with my family for a period of time and start a foundation to support women and children in our community. 

Chicago's Jewish community in 10 years:
Vibrant, philanthropic, aware of the needs of our community 

Me in 10 years:
Celebrating my youngest daughter's bat mitzvah, traveling to Israel, remaining involved in the causes that are important to me and my family