The Jewish History of Oak Park and River Forest: 1860-1960

Jews have been an integral part of Oak Park and River Forest since before the villages had their names. Learn about how these first Jewish pioneers of the Western Suburbs paved the way for an organized community that established itself in Oak Park in the early decades of the 20th century among ‘the Village of Churches.’ Beginning in the 1930s, these Jews faced community antisemitism and institutional discrimination from the governing bodies of both villages on their way to establishing two synagogues in the mid-20th century. 

Michael Zmora will present this compelling story with newly discovered pictures and documents from the archives of West Suburban Temple Har Zion and Oak Park Temple as well as records from Oak Park and River Forest.

After two years of research, Michael Zmora has written two articles for Chicago Jewish History Quarterly on the Jewish communities of Oak Park and River Forest. An attorney by profession, Michael has lived in Oak Park with his wife and two kids for the past eight years.