November 28, 2011

By Laurie Borman for Spertus

Irving and Marilyn L. Naiditch of Highland Park recently donated a series of bound volumes of the Chicago Jewish Chronicle newspaper to the Asher Library. The Naiditches discovered the volumes, which cover the years 1928 to 1941 and are in pristine condition, during their purchase of a warehouse building in 1982.

“I have always had a sincere interest in Chicago history,” says Mrs. Naiditch. “I remember the stories of my mother, who went to the Hull House on Halsted Street and related many stories of that era, including wooden sidewalks and horse and buggies. Each volume (of the Chonicle) is filled with wonderful and long-forgotten stories of those who shaped the history of Chicago and the Chicago Jewish community.”

The Chicago Jewish Chronicle was founded in 1918 by Hyman Meites, known for his History of the Jews of Chicago, and was published weekly for most of its run, which ended in 1949. It was published in English as An American weekly paper for the modern Jewish home. The paper included serious national and international news, as well as local news stories and social reportage. The volumes are an important addition to the Asher Library resources on Chicago Jewish History.

Mrs. Naiditch recounts “we were absolutely thrilled to find this wonderful collection of The Chicago Jewish Chronicle. It has been of tremendous pleasure to us to review the news and stories of the 1920s, ‘30s, and ‘40s.”

Several of the Chronicle volumes will be on display in the library January through May 2012. The volumes are available for viewing by appointment. Contact resources@spertus.edu to reserve a time.