Founded in 1924 as Chicago’s College of Jewish Studies, Spertus Institute today offers an innovative, non-denominational array of specialized and public programming, grounded in Jewish thought, inspired by Jewish values, and resolutely relevant to people’s lives.

Spertus offers accredited graduate-level degree programs in areas that are critical to the Jewish and wider communities—including Jewish studies, leadership training, and nonprofit management. Recognizing that learning is sparked by many points of entry, programming at Spertus also includes cultural and continuing education offerings, such as lectures, seminars, exhibits, concerts, and films.

Partnerships and collaborative relationships in the Jewish, academic, philanthropic, and cultural arenas further allow Spertus to serve as a portal for diverse learning opportunities.

The Institute cultivates an atmosphere of lively discourse. We often hear from students and participants that their experiences at Spertus are inspiring and even transformative. That is by design, because the Institute pursues cutting-edge best practice in everything it does. This results in meaningful, important opportunities for personal and professional growth for constituents and communities.

In 2007, an innovative new Spertus building—designed by Chicago’s Krueck + Sexton Architects—was opened at 610 S. Michigan Avenue in the heart of Chicago’s historic academic and cultural corridor. This award-winning building, which serves as the main Spertus campus, features state-of-the-art classroom, theater, exhibit, and library spaces, plus collections’ storage for art, archives, books, music, and film.