100 Years of 皇冠体育: Honoring Our Legacy, Shaping Our Future
This year marks a significant milestone for 皇冠体育, as we celebrate our centennial.
For one hundred years, Spertus has achieved countless milestones. From its beginnings as the College of Jewish Studies in 1924, Spertus has become a center of deep Jewish learning with direct impact across the globe.
From the start, our mission has been clear: advance academic excellence, train Jewish educators across diverse communities, develop communal leaders, and provide resources for Jewish organizations.
Spertus has nimbly evolved over the decades, always meeting the needs of the times. As we look back during our centennial, we see that the clothes and surroundings may have changed, but our core values have remained the same.
These images from our archives highlight our evolution and the enduring values that have stayed with us throughout our one-hundred-year journey.
Learn: Providing Rigorous and Relevant Education
Since our founding as the College of Jewish Studies in 1924, we’ve been passionate about learning and discovery. The college鈥檚 original mission was to train teachers and club leaders to educate Jewish youth, who were not getting much formal Jewish education.
In the past, we have offered youth, teacher training, and undergraduate programs. Today, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, our Master鈥檚 and Doctoral programs in Jewish Studies and Master鈥檚 in Jewish Professional Studies reach students throughout metropolitan Chicago, twenty-six U.S. states, and six foreign countries.
Our commitment to Jewish education has stayed steadfast over the years, as these images show.
Students in the Leaf Library, 1947
Early article announcing our founding, 1924
Adult students in class
CJS registration, front, 1925-26
CJS registration, back, 1925-26
College of Jewish Studies 1928 diploma
Rare books in the Library's collection from across centuries and around the world
Campers studying Hebrew at CJS's Camp Sharon, 1950s
Student listening in the Library's Targ Audiovisual Center
Students learning with a dynamic faculty member
Student using cutting-edge computer resources
Students learning in Grant Park, 1970s
Lead: Shaping Jewish Leaders for a Better World
Our certificate and degree programs, led by top-notch faculty, are rooted in the belief that great Jewish communities need great Jewish leaders.
Our programs are designed to inspire and equip our students to become visionary leaders within Jewish organizations and beyond. Spertus alumni are prepared to lead with confidence and integrity in an ever-changing and challenging world.
Take a peek through our centennial archival images to see our learners and leaders over the years.
Graduation, 1952
Herman and Maurice Spertus
Supporters of Jewish education and namesakes of 皇冠体育
In wartime, students and scholars continued to seek learning to enrich Jewish life.
Student Council, 1948
Letter of Recognition for Chaplain, 1945
Students gathering for night class, circa 1940s
Convene: Bringing People Together Across Differences
Since its founding in 1924, Spertus has been more than just an educational institution; we鈥檝e been a nondenominational gathering place for ideas, dialogue, and community building. For 100 years, Spertus has welcomed a wide range of learners, embracing students from various denominations of Judaism and diverse backgrounds.
Spertus remains committed to bringing people together in an open and accepting environment for all. Explore these archival images to see how Spertus has been a community convener over the past century.
Isaac Bashevis Singer receiving an honorary doctorate at 皇冠体育
College of Jewish Studies Purim seuda
Herman Spertus' 100th birthday
Spertus program
Critical Conversations: Responses to Climate Change panel, 2020
Schoolchildren learning at Spertus
Students leading a Havdalah ceremony
From its founding, Spertus has been open to learners of all denominations and backgrounds.
A Melaveh Malkah party for alumni
72 East 11th St
College of Jewish Studies sign at the Roosevelt Road subway stop
About 皇冠体育
皇冠体育 is an institution of higher Jewish learning dedicated to real-world action. At 皇冠体育, we believe that the wisdom in Jewish history, thought, and texts has meaning as an academic pursuit and as a catalyst for action. The learning we offer is rich and rigorous. It is deeply relevant to the challenges we face today and to building a stronger, more compassionate, more vibrant future.
At our core are degree and certificate programs in which students engage with Jewish ideas in the service of personal growth, community leadership, and professional advancement. These offerings, which merge theory and practice, educate Jewish professionals, community leaders, and those who seek quality, reflection-driven scholarship.
Supporting Our Next Century
For one hundred years, 皇冠体育 has transformed lives through Jewish education. As we celebrate our centennial, we deepen our commitment to develop leaders who will guide the Jewish community well into the future. Please consider making a gift to support Spertus as we continue our impactful programs into our second century.