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Spertus Institute of Jewish Studies
reopens in November 2007 in a stunning new building designed by
award-winning Chicago-based architects Krueck & Sexton. The
innovative, environmentally sustainable facility features interlocking
interior spaces and a one-of-a-kind ten-story faceted window wall that
provides spectacular views of the Chicago skyline, Millennium Park,
Grant Park, and Lake Michigan.
The Institute includes Spertus Museum, Chicagos Jewish museum, as
well as Spertus College, a leading resource for graduate education in
Jewish Studies, Leadership, and Nonprofit Management. Research
offerings are provided by the Asher Library and Chicago Jewish
Archives.
The building's two top floors feature approximately 8,000 square feet
of open gallery space housing Spertus Museum's core-collection
display, exhibited in a visible storage area that presents
approximately 1,000 objects from the Museum's outstanding 15,000-piece
collection. The galleries also present site-specific installations of
work by leading international artists and a series of special changing
exhibitions.
On the fourth floor, an interactive Children's Center (designed with
the artistic team of Redmoon Theater) focuses on the building blocks
of literacy: letters, language, and storytelling. The evocative
setting includes cloudscapes, night skies, and hands-on activities
such as climbing tubes, mazes, and kinetic sculptures designed to
introduce young visitors to the unique role of storytelling in the
Jewish tradition. A special resource center is available for parents
and teachers.
A second-floor kosher cafι run by Wolfgang Puck offers grab-and-go
sandwiches, salads, pastries, and coffee drinks. A beautiful gift and
bookshop in the lobby showcases work by leading Israeli designers, and
features a special section of educational toys, games, and books for
children. Wireless Internet is available throughout the building.
A diverse schedule of public programming includes lectures,
performance, comedy, and film, as well as community festivals and
celebrations. For hours, admission, parking, and program information,
visit www.spertus.edu
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Museum Hours
Sunday-Wednesday 10 am 6 pm
Thursday 10 am 7 pm
Friday 10 am 3 pm
Spertus is closed Saturday for the Jewish Sabbath, public, & Jewish
holidays.
Museum Admission
$7 general museum admission
$5 for students and seniors
Spertus members and children under 5 free
Free museum admission for everyone every Tuesday from 10 am 12 noon
and every Thursday from 3 7 pm.
Official Web Site
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