Skokie native Sharon Karp's A Song for You screens at Illinois Holocaust Museum Sunday

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This just in...

The Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center hosts a public screening of the film A Song for You on Sunday, July 13 at 1:30 p.m.  The filmmaker Sharon Karp and co-director Silvia Malagrino will be on hand for discussion after the screening.

Throughout the film, Skokie native Sharon Karp comes to grips with her family history and weaves interviews with her mother, fragments of a book her father wrote, home movies and historical footage. The film tells the story of how Karp’s parents, George and Gisela Karp, with their infant daughter escaped the Nazis by crossing the Pyrenees with the help of the French Resistance. Sometimes only steps ahead of Hitler’s troops, the Karp family was on the run for five harrowing years.

“It has taken seven long years to make this film,” said Karp. “During the process, I was forced to confront my own trauma as a child of survivors. I also discovered that the miracle of my family’s survival was achieved through strength of will, courage and the help of other people who risked their own lives.”

Karp is a founding member of the Chicago-based film collective Kartemquin Films. In 1995 she formed her own video and post-production house, Media Monster.

Silvia Malagrino is an international award-winning artist, filmmaker and native of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Malagrino is a recipient of numerous grants and awards. Recently, she was awarded with the State of Illinois Distinguished Artist award for her contributions to Art and Society.

This program is free with Museum admission and free for Museum members.

For reservation information, go to www.ilholocaustmuseum.org/events.

Located at 9603 Woods Dr, in Skokie, the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center is dedicated to preserving the legacy of the Holocaust by honoring the memories of those who were lost and by teaching universal lessons that combat hatred, prejudice and indifference. The Museum fulfills its mission through the exhibition, preservation and interpretation of its collections and through education programs and initiatives that foster the promotion of human rights and the elimination of genocide.

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Judicial candidate Abbey Fishman Romanek wants our votes

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Skokie native Abbey Fishman Romanek is running for Cook County judge from the 9th judicial subcircuit. Some might remember that she ran in 2010, but lost by just 48 votes. She did well in Skokie during that race, and she is looking for Skokie's support again.

Abbey is endorsed by Jan Schakowsky, Toni Preckwinkle, Daniel Biss and many officials, organizations and individuals.

The Chicago Bar Association recently noted: Ms. Romanek is experienced in both criminal and civil law and is well regarded by her peers for her legal knowledge and excellent demeanor. Ms. Romanek is also actively involved in community work.

Regarding her experience: Abbey has a rare breadth of legal experience that would make her an especially valuable asset on the bench.

Regarding her demeanor: As the youngest daughter of a Holocaust survivor and a rabbi, Abbey has long understood the importance of justice and treating everyone with dignity and respect.

Regarding her community work: Abbey is on the executive committee of the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center's board of directors. She's on the board of Connections for the Homeless and is a supervisor for Beth Emet's Soup Kitchen. She's also a member of the Skokie Chamber of Commerce and numerous other organizations.

If you've not met Abbey yet, there are many opportunities to do so between now and election day. Here are some notable ones:

Abbey leads discussion on HOT COFFEE, the documentary - February 22
at Evanston Public Library

Wine and Cheese with Abbey in Wilmette - February 24
hosted by Liz Challinor and Caryn Percifield

Coffee with Abbey in Skokie - February 29
hosted by Sheila Meyer

More of Abbey's public events are listed on her campaign's website at advocatesforabbey.com.

Election for Cook County judges is March 20, during the Democratic primary.

Early voting starts February 27. 
Suburban residents voting early must vote in the suburbs.
Skokie locations include Village Hall on Oakton and the Skokie Courthouse on Old Orchard Rd.
Chicagoans voting early must vote in Chicago.

Additional information about Abbey and other judicial candidates is available here.

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Karen here: My firm, Kring Lerner Group, is the sponsor of this blog. Advocates for Abbey Fishman Romanek for Judge is a client of Kring Lerner Group.

Skokie's 4th of July Parade

One needed to know Skokie and its 4th of July parade to understand something was different this year. The weather was cooler than most years, so there was less concern about band members passing out, but any Chicagoan would have noticed that. Where were the temple teams? Where was Beth Israel? July 4, 2009 landed on a Saturday. Word was that many temples opted out of the parade in honor of the sabbath. July 4, 2010 is on a Sunday next year. It's a good bet they'll be back.

Pioneer Press' Mike Isaacs wrote about the pre-parade preparations.
SkokieNet's Eh re ca wrote about teen volunteers' work at the parade.
State Rep. Lou Lang's web page offers a bit about Lou's and Jan Schakowsky's infirmities.

Here's some simple snaps I made of the parade. I didn't catch everyone's name, but aim to fill them in as I learn them, so bring on the information. Love mob sourcing.

~ Karen Kring

George and Susan Van Dusen with friend.
George is Skokie's mayor.


U.S. House Rep Jan Schakowsky didn't walk the parade
as she usually does due to her bum foot.


This Jan of fan knows how to enjoy being in a parade.


Abbey Fishman Romanek is running for judge from
Cook Country's 9th subcircuit. Election is in February 2010.


Jesse Greenberg and other advocates for Abbey.




Having fun isn't hard when you've got...


a library card.


Roy Swenson.

Kiyo Shirataki.


Nola Penn.


Young Eldridge Shannon with Urban Beat Dance.


Two Rubinos.





Angeles "Jelly" Carandang






Illinois State Rep. Elizabeth Coulsen meets the Rubinos.


The parade is not over until the Refuse Collection
Division's trucks go by.