- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
Spertus Institute
Categories: Arts & Entertainment Museums Religious Organizations Education Special Education Museums, Religious Organizations, Special Education [Edit]
610 S Michigan Ave(between Congress Plaza Dr & Harrison St)
Chicago, IL 60605
Neighborhood: South Loop
(312) 322-1700
- Nearest Transit:
-
Harrison (Red Line)
Harold Washington Library (Brown Line, Orange Line, Pink Line, Purple Line)
Jackson-Red (Red Line)
- Hours:
Mon-Thu, Sun 10 am - 5 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
13 reviews for Spertus Institute
13 reviews in English
-
Review from Tim S.
11/29/2010
I was here for an event and was quite impressed with the space. Helpful staff at the front door directed us to the floor needed, once we got upstairs the staff working the event was great.
What a unique space mixing modern design with history and an amazing view of the lake.Listed in: Must See's in the City!!!
-
Review from Rachel K.
Chicago, IL
8/15/2011
Spertus leaves me cold. The building seems to be only open a couple days each week and at inconvenient hours. The static exhibit is interesting but not worth the price of admission. Great, a menorah and some Torah cases. I've seen the dead Jewish artifacts in Europe. Where's the living culture in this place?
There doesn't seem to be any rotating exhibit anymore, the library and children's center are closed most days and the cafe is gone. I don't see many signs of life beyond the gift shop. There's a metal detector and sign in desk before walking in, which makes it feel like there's something important to protect. And then when you get in, the whole place is just... empty and cold.
One would think that they'd have significant and relevant programming here, but it doesn't appear to do much of anything whatsover.
How unfortunate. What were they thinking? -
Review from Meredith W.
Chicago, IL
3/3/2008
The building is beautiful and I was inspired by the architecture. But unfortunately that vision doesn't seem to translate to the collection. We went on a tour with a docent and it was actually a pretty uncomfortable experience. Rather than providing some context and insight, the tour felt like a bad art 101 class. The permanent collection seems disorganized and disjointed.
However, I loved the "Post Jewish" installation because it was thought provoking and challenging. Most of the programming is also very interesting and I am more likely to attend one of the lectures that walk through the galleries again. -
Review from Robert S.
7/13/2008
I'm torn in different directions as I write a review about the Spertus Institute, partially because I'm so pissed off at my own people for our shortcomings that this "museum" is the ONLY thing anywhere in Chicago's city limits that has Jewish artifacts. Oh, sure there's the Holocaust Museum that is being built...or is it finished? I don't know because Skokie is such a lame brain place to put the only Jewish Holocaust museum in the Midwest, and it's a major day trip for anyone without a car to get there via public trans. Then again, most Jews living in Chicago, pre-Jane Byrne era gave up on the city and fled to Skokie, Highland Park and Northbrook when a black person happened to walk in front of their Chicago home.
So as much as I'd like to think the museum is an enlightening experience, it really isn't. The "collection" isn't curated very well and has a surprisingly paltry number of artifacts. The cafe, which is a nice thought (WOW...imagine...having Kosher nibbles in an institution of Jewish studies. Man, what a ground breaking concept no other Jewish museum has ever thought of!), is pricey and about as inviting as the fractured ice cube the new addition resembles. -
Review from Jami K.
Chicago, IL
3/8/2007
I took a couple of kids here once last year. The museum is pretty interesting, though what the kids liked best was the very child-friendly archeology "dig" in the basement. This is very neat and educational. Basically there are several little dig sites modeled after actual sites in the Middle East.
The other exhibits were interesting, but I know that they change them out pretty frequently.
Also, if you need to buy someone a gift for a bar or bat mitvah, or for Chanakah gifts there is a really neat gift shop there with some neat appropriate gifts--especially for younger kids.Listed in: Have a kid?
-
Review from Robyn M.
Chicago, IL
12/5/2007
The new Spertus is beautiful.
There is a core-collection as well other rotating installations.
The Spertus Shop offers unique ceremonial items, home goods, jewelry, gifts, books, and more, including hard-to-find products by leading Israeli designers, and creative toys and books for kids.
There is an awesome new interactive Children's Center. I also sampled the Kosher Cafe by Wolfgang Puck (cool!) -
Review from Bill M.
5/25/2008 1 photo
The revamped Spertus Museum has a crinkly and funky folded glass facade designed by the local architecture firm Krueck and Sexton. I had wanted to explore the museum during the free Thursday afternoon hours, but was told that there was a private party eating up some of the spaces, and you had to wait for the guided tour that takes place every 30 minutes to see the permanent collection. I decided to skip the tour and come back another day to see what's behind the cool facade of Spertus. Therefore my review is currently "incomplete" other than the glassy exterior and the colorful gift shop.
-
Review from Robert S.
Chicago, IL
1/2/2009
we were staying at the Essex inn just down the street so we walked past this place a few times and I saw that they had a museum hey I am all about learning something new so we made plans to check it out
and I am so glad we did it was a real good experience to see stuff from up and coming artist we might have never heard of and to see a lot different aspects of Jewish life from over the years
they have 3 floors of stuff to check out and like most museums they rotate what they have on display so go and check it out you wont be sorry
and they have a cool little gift shop with stuff made by Jewish artist -
Review from Robyn T.
1/16/2008
This review is for the new Spertus Museum. I'm giving it one star for the beautiful architecture as a lovely addition to the South Loop landscape, the another star for the gift shop which stocks a nice variety of Judaica and art.
The museum really needs to organize their exhibits better. I was extremely frustrated with the display on the 9th floor. Items were stacked one on top of another with no categorization, description or order. It was difficult to see small items at the very top. Holocaust memorabilia was thrown in with other items lacking any reverence. The material is there it just needs to be organized...like a true museum.
I also did not care for the rotating exhibit on the top floor which was modern and explained as "Post-Jewish". It truly upset me.
I was let down by the Spertus Museum. I'd never visited the original location because I was waiting to visit the new facility. From what I've heard it sounds like the original was better save for the new space and gift shop.
I'd be happy to return to the museum once they revamp the exhibits and have displays that the community can proudly stand behind. -
Review from Erika G.
7/13/2008
I went here with one of my peace peeps for a talk on Iran back in February, that was very interesting. The building itself is goooorrrggeeous - love the facade - designed by Krueck + Sexton Architects. The cafe has predictable kosher food, but It's a testament to the tolerance of the Jewish people, though, that they'd let a guy named Wolfgang sling hash in their domain (one of my peace peep friends expressed this sentment). Worth a visit, surely - there is a LOT of cool stuff - and many interesting events - going on in this gorgeous building.
Listed in: Museums
-
Review from Rebecca H.
Chicago, IL
7/29/2009
A great organization, learning institute, and museum, all packed into a wonderful modern architectural gem. South Michigan Ave has some great buildings, and this one stands out as being the most innovative. If you are a member you sometimes can get discounts on relevant jewish goings-on around town and pop in anytime to see the cool exhibits they have upstairs. I have been here for various readings and it is a very comfortable place to be. The design is so fresh. Even if you are not Jewish, I recommend checking out what is inside this eye-catching building.
Listed in: Best JeWISHes
-
Review from Kelly K.
7/11/2008
The staff is here is so friendly. The building is awesome...great design and views of Grant Park and the Lake beyond...wow. The collection is small and is displayed in a unique way the takes some getting used to...but the guide explained the rationale and then it made sense and seemed quite creative...Why should each museum present it's collections is a similar manner. I applaud the curator's choice to do something new. The building is really airy. There is a Kosher cafe with a selection of sandwiches and salads and soups by Wolfgang Puck. The whitefish sandwiches are good. Prices are high, however, the dining space is clean and nice.
-
Review from greg m.
Cicero, IL
1/7/2009
WOOO HOOO I LOVE THIS PLACE!!!!! Where else can a goy with a love of Jewish stuff get his Jew love on? Right here at Spertus Institute of Jewish Studies of course! We happened on this place by pure accident a bit ago on a visit to Chicago. Up on the upper floor there is a rotating gallery of Jewish artists from all walks of life displaying their creativity. On one of the lower levels there is a good sized display of Jewish artifacts dating I'd say to the late 1800's to pretty recent. The story those trinkets, Menorahs, Torahs and chests could tell. There is also a library which I did not get a chance to explore but I am sure is quite extensive on all things Jewish. I found the staff that I came across to be quite friendly and professional which was nice. I feel that they know they are providing a great and much needed service and even though it is a museum and education center they are not at all stuffy and would love to offer up some wonderful knowledge. Oh there is a gift shop where one can purchase all kinds of books, clothing, coffee mugs and odds and ends for Holy days. Looking at their calander it looks like there are lectures and meeting groups that would be quite educational and fun. I am for sure going to put that on my list of things to do when I am back in the lovely city of Chicago. I would highly recommend checking this place out.
