When: Tuesday, March 16 from 6:30-9:30 p.m. at Congregation Beth Shalom, Northbrook and Wednesday, May 5 from 6:30-9:30 p.m. at Chicago Sinai Congregation, Chicago
What else:

1 in 5 Ashkenazi Jews is a carrier of a "Jewish" genetic disorder. With a simple blood test, find out if you're at risk for passing on a debilitating, if not fatal, genetic disorder. If you're thinking about starting a family, now's the time to learn your risk - and your options.

Subsidized carrier testing is $90 per person or $36 for students. These tests usually cost over $3,000!

Dinner and an educational presentation will be followed by a genetic screening for the following nine disorders:
Bloom's syndrome; Canavan disease; Cystic fibrosis; Familial dysauronomia; Fanconi anemia, group C; Gaucher disease, type I; Mucolipidosis type IV (ML4); Niemann-Pick disease, type A; Tay-Sachs disease

Genetic counselors and medical staff from Children's Memorial Hospital will answer personal questions and take samples for screening.

Pre-registration required. Contact Taryn Brickman at 312-357-4988 or tarynbrickman@juf.org.

Protect your family. Learn more: www.jewishgenetics.org

Test results are confidential

Where: Standard Club, 320 South Plymouth Court
When: Friday, April 16 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
What else:

For entry to mid-level Professionals. A Job Fair preparation workshop will be held from 9-10 a.m. Interactive panel presentations and career workshops will be held at 11 a.m., 12 noon and 1 p.m. Job seekers will have the opportunity to receive career counseling and resume help throughout the day at the Career Services Help Desk.

If you are interested in having your company represented at the JUF/JVS Job Fair, please view Employer Guidelines and contact Lainie Kaufman at tip@juf.org or 312-444-2826.

Register online here.

For more information, please view Job Seeker Guidelines, Frequently Asked Questions or contact Ariel Zipkin at yld@juf.org or 312-357-4880.

A project of the J-HELP initiative. Presented by JUF's Young Leadership Division, TIP Young Professional Groups (Young Real Estate, Lawyers, Finance & Entrepreneurs), and Jewish Vocational Service.

Where: The Second City e.t.c. (1608 North Wells in Piper’s Alley)
When: Feb. 3-March 24; Tuesdays & Wednesdays at 8:30 p.m. & Sundays at 2 p.m.
What else:

Brought to you by the same team that made Rod Blagojevich Superstar! an instant hit, Rush Limbaugh! The Musical takes us back to Rush’s humble beginnings and follows his ascent to conservative dominance buoyed by characters like Ann Coulter, Karl Rove, and Donald Rumsfeld despite confrontations with Hillary Clinton and Barney Frank. The score for the show will feature a pastiche of Broadway musicals such as Spring Awakening, Wicked, and Rent. You can call it “Dispirit of the Radio.”

Rush Limbaugh! The Musical is proud to reunite the creative team of Ed Furman (Book) and T.J. Shanoff (Music & Lyrics) with Director Matt Hovde (Jeff Award Winner Best Director: Studs Terkel’s Not Working).

Tickets for Rush Limbaugh! The Musical are $25.00 and can be reserved by phone at 312.337.3992 or at www.secondcity.com.

Where: Emanuel Congregation building, 5959 N. Sheridan Rd.
When: Thursday, March 11 at 7:30 p.m.
What else:

Congregation Or Chadash and Emanuel Congregation, both members of the World Congress of GLBT Jews, will host a presentation by The National Association of GLBT in Israel, known as the Aguda. This event is co-sponsored by Club 1948 and the New Israel Fund.

Aguda will be celebrating their 35th year of service and support of GLBT rights and issues and providing social services to the GLBT community in Israel. The Aguda has been the founding father of many of the GLBT organization in Israel and is the only national GLBT organization offering programs ranging from youth services to an all new HIV-AIDs awareness website along with Project Barak, an educational program. The Aguda is presently trying to build an all new national social services program that will stretch from border to border and encompass all of Israel regardless of religion, origin or sexual orientation.

On August 1, 2009, a masked gunman burst in their facilities during their Youth-Bar program and opened fire killing two and injuring dozens more. In the aftermath, a huge problem was brought to light. The government’s social services and social workers have not been trained or educated in dealing with GLBT issues. Without intent, they caused additional heartache and traumas to the wounded and their families.

Mike Hamel, the leading expert on GLBT issues in Israel, will be accompanied by Chen Langer, a young volunteer with the Aguda youth program who was shot during the recent tragedy and Chen Katz, who along with her brother Nir were also volunteer Counselors at the Youth Progam. Nir was killed in the shooting. Mike will share the history of the Aguda and the GLBT movement in Israel, followed by Chen's story about the shooting and the aftermath. This will be followed by a presentation about the Aguda and their programs along with the new social service network.

Questions? Contact office@OrChadash.org or (773) 271-2148

Where: Big Joe's, 1818 West Foster Ave.
When: Saturday, March 13 at 9 p.m.
What else:

A night of fun and fundraising for the Gilana Shira Alpert Fund*

Turtle races! Big Joe's main event!
Drink specials all night! Red-headed Sluts, anyone?
Amazing prize packages! Provided by Tulip Toy Gallery

Gilana was a devout turtle racing fan, so we're heading back to one of her favorite places to celebrate the good times. There is a suggested cover of $10, though we're happy to take any donation that you are willing to contribute. All proceeds will go directly towards the Gilana Shira Alpert Fund (please see below for more information about this incredible fundraising effort).

Never been turtle racing before? No fear! Check out this YouTube clip to see what it's all about!

Can't make it but still want to donate? No problem! Go here to donate online!

Check out the Facebook event!

*The Gilana Shira Alpert fund was established in November of 2007, as a tribute and memorial to this amazing woman. At the young age of 26, Gilana passed away due to a medical reaction to prescription medications, which led to many complications. Action was taken immediately to preserve her memory, so that her wonderful passion and heart would live on, both literally when her family decided to donate many vital organs, and figuratively by creating this fund, as well as a memorial garden in her hometown in Muskegon. To date, the fund (through the Community Foundation for Muskegon County) has raised over $10,000, and will be used to help those who share Gilana's passions. She went to Indiana University for Theatre, and also studied at the Kinsey Institute. After moving to Chicago, she worked as a sex educator, and was working on applying to grad schools to become a sex therapist. In addition to these passions, Gilana cared about teaching youth about the Holocaust, an event that took the lives of many of her family members. A similar fundraising effort entitled "LIving for Today" takes place yearly in New York featuring Broadway stars, and will celebrate its third annual concert in the fall of 2010. It is our hope that "The Red-Headed Turtle Derby" will become an annual event in Chicago.

Please visit http://www.gilanasfund.com for more information.

Where: Rockit Bar & Grill’s Upstairs Lounge, 22 W. Hubbard St.
When: Thursday, March 18 at 6 p.m.
What else:

Join YLD for a March Madness Happy Hour! Watch the games, have a few drinks and connect with new and old friends.

There is no cost to attend, however all participants must register in advance for guaranteed admittance with no line. This event WILL reach capacity as it is the first day of the NCAA Tournament, so be sure to register soon!
Register online here! For more information, please contact Lindsay Koltun in the YLD office at (312) 444-2833 or yld@juf.org.

Where: Emanuel Congregation, 5959 N Sheridan
When: Saturday, March 20 from 7-10 p.m.
What else:

Harold Ramis, Hollywood actor, writer, director and Second City alum, will be interviewed by Chicago comedian Aaron Freeman about the “Meaning of Life" with a twist or two, for tonic and laughter.

A native of Chicago, Harold is best known for his movie roles as Egon Spengler in Ghostbusters and Russell Ziskey in Stripes. He also co-wrote both films. His directing and writing credits include Caddyshack, Groundhog Day and Analyze This as well as Year One which he wrote and directed. Harold was the original head writer and also acted in the TV series Second City TV and one of three writers on the screenplay for the film National Lampoon's Animal House.

He will be interviewed by Aaron who, in addition to being a stand-up comedian, is an author, cartoonist, blogger and a popular commentator on National Public Radio's flagship news program "All Things Considered." Aaron co-wrote and directed the stage comedy "The Arab/Israeli Comedy Hour" and co-authored "The Comic Torah." He frequently performs with the Second City Theater.

The sketch comedy group, The Gentlemen of Long Pork, will be the opening act. This is the first in a series of conversations at Emanuel on the "Meaning of Life."

General seating tickets range from $40 to $80. All tickets may be purchased here or by calling 800-838-3006.

Check out the Facebook event!

Where: Beth Emet, 1224 Dempster Street, Evanston
When: Saturday, March 20 at 8 p.m.
What else:

Join us for the Chicago premiere as Cantor Luck, actress Sari Greenberg, the Maxwell Street Klezmer Band and Kol Zimrah depict the life and times of Moishe Oysher, one of the greatest cantors of the 20th century and star of the Yiddish theatre and cinema.

$20 tickets can be purchased in advance through Beth Emet by calling 847-869-4230, ext. 301 or emailing reception@bethemet.org. Additional information may be found at bethemet.org/moisheoysher/.

Where: JCFS, 5150 Golf Road, Skokie
When: Sunday, March 21 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
What else:

The food . . .The flowers. . .The music. . .Your Relationship
Shouldn’t you put your relationship at the top of the list?

• Clarify your expectations of marriage.
• Learn healthy communication. 
• Address differing family and religious traditions.
• Think about the Jewish aspects of your marriage.

$150/couple, for a one-day workshop, includes lunch. Fees can be adjusted when needed.

Social workers/family life educators from Jewish Child and Family Services lead the Chicago Chuppah Project
For information and registration contact Rosalie Greenberger, LCSW, 224-625-2819

JCFS is a partner in serving our community, receiving support from the Jewish United Fund/Jewish Federation

Where: Zanies Comedy Clubs in Chicago (1548 N. Wells St.) and Vernon Hills (230 Hawthorn Village Commons)
When: Thursday, April 29 (Chicago) at 8:30 p.m.; Friday, April 30 (Chicago) at 8:30 p.m. & 10 p.m.; and Saturday, May 1 (Vernon Hills) at 7 p.m. & 9:30 p.m.
What else:

Judy Gold, the star of the long-running off Broadway hit "25 Questions for a Jewish Mother", will perform at Zanies Comedy Clubs in Chicago and Vernon Hills. "25 Questions for a Jewish Mother" is a poignant portrait of what makes a Jewish mother, a Jewish mother.

She was nominated for a Drama Desk Award for outstanding solo performance and her book based on the show "25 Questions for a Jewish Mother" was nominated for the prestigious Quill Award. She has appeared on the Tonight Show, Conan and the View. She won two Emmy Awards for writing and producing the Rosie O'Donnell Show. She has appeared on Law and Order, Law and Order SVU, Ugly Betty and currently on Tru-TV's The Smoking Gun Presents. Her new show "It's Jewdy's Show:  My Life as a Sitcom" received rave reviews during its run in Washington DC and Montreal.

Tickets are $25.00 + 2 item food/bev. minimum. Buy your tickets for Chicago's club online here and for Vernon Hills' club online here.

Where: Skokie Theater, 7924 N. Lincoln Ave., Skokie
When: TBA
What else:

The Greater Chicago Jewish Festival is looking for outstanding performers from throughout Chicagoland. They will audition performers to determine this year's lineup for four stages at the Greater Chicago Jewish Festival. To add to the excitement of this process, several applicants will be invited to audition at a public event in April called Jewish Chicago's Got Talent. Those performers selected for this public audition will be invited to bring friends and fans who will participate in voting and selecting some of this year's Festival acts.

Apply now to be a performer and you may be part of Jewish Chicago's Got Talent!
 
Go here for application instructions.

Tickets for this afternoon long event/concert will be $5 per person and include 5 tickets to vote for your favorite performer. Additional votes can be bought, in the great Chicago tradition, of $1 dollar each or 25 tickets for $20.

The performer that gets the most votes will be guaranteed a spot on a stage at the Greater Chicago Jewish Festival on June 13, 2010. You are encouraged to bring you friends and family to this event. Although the winner of the Jewish Chicago's Got Talent is guaranteed a spot to play at the festival in June, this event is also our final round of auditions and we expect to choose additional performers from this audition to play at the festival.

Where: All around the Chicago area
When: Ongoing
What else: With preparations underway for lively lineup of Spertus fall and winter offerings, the overworked Spertus staff needs your help! Longtime Spertus member, docent, and now Volunteer Coordinator Rae Jedel, is currently assembling a team of reliable and dedicated volunteers to assist in a variety of areas. Knowing that your time is valuable, she is seeking individuals who can help at a single event as well as those interested in an ongoing commitment. Volunteer opportunities are available in a variety of areas, with specific tasks ranging from event management to grant research to book cataloguing. Please contact Rae at rsjedel@spertus.edu, then expect to hear from her in a week or two to discuss your interest.