Essays chronicling the Jewish history of Chicago, from the late nineteenth century to the end of World War II.

The history of Jews in Chicago is a fascinating, complex, and largely unknown story. Thanks to the unstinting efforts of Walter Roth, much of this history has been preserved. Now, for the first time, this material has been distilled into a single volume, chronicling events and people from the late nineteenth century to the end of World War II.

There are six broad themes, each of which includes several essays: the first of which is “Chicago Jews and the Secular City: Builders, Movers, Shakers” about HL Mettes’s huge 1924 history of Chicago Jews; financier Lazarus Silverman; the U of C Centennial; Jewish participation in the World’s Columbian Exposition; Julius Rosenwald and the Museum of Science & Industry and the Jewish Day Pageant at the Century of Progress in 1933.

The other five themes are “Chicago Jews and Anti-Semitism: Tragedy Abroad, Challenges at Home”; “Chicago Jews and Zionism: Local Idealists”; “Chicago Jews and Zionism: Renowned Visitors”; “Chicago Jews and the Arts: The Page and the Stage” and “Chicago Jews on Both Sides of the Law: Colorful Characters.”

Anyone interested in Chicago history, ethnic history, Jewish history, will find Looking Backward a fascinating and informative read.

Praise for Looking Backward

“Roth writes about the well known and the not so well known, bringing to life the people, events, and institutions that shaped the Jewish community.” —Booklist