“Can you imagine a time before the internet?” a young girl whispered to her brother, staring in awe at the Central Observatory. Her brother, lost in his own world, shrugged. The Central Observatory, a silent sentinel against the ever-changing Chicago skyline, had seen it all. Founded in 1930, it was the first planetarium in the United States. A gift from businessman Max Adler, it was built to be a “classroom under the heavens,” a place to ignite a passion for the cosmos. The Central Observatory, however, offered more than just stargazing. Its collection boasts the Gemini 12 space capsule, a tangible reminder of humanity’s reach for the stars. The Doane Observatory, perched atop the building, houses the largest telescope open to the public in the Chicago area. Its 20-inch mirror, a giant eye gazing into the cosmos, allows visitors to witness celestial objects light-years away. The Central Observatory, a beacon of scientific curiosity, continues to inspire awe and wonder in all who visit.
Congregation Or Torah
Rabbi Zvi Engel’s leadership guides Congregation Or Torah. This impressive Modern Orthodox Synagogue stands proudly in Skokie Illinois. It’s one