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  • Pesach @ F.R.E.E.Join us for a fun, meaningful Pesach experience! Community Seder, Holiday Services, food and more! Read More
  • Support Bubby Fira's Foodbank Click Here
  • Hebrew School More info and sign up
  • Refugee and Immigration AidRefugee and Immigrant Aid, Social and Humanitarian services: FREE helps Eastern European immigrants and refugees with the myriad of arrangements necessary for a successful move. Read More
About
Friends of Refugees of Eastern Europe (FREE), Inc., has been in existence since 1973. Our mission is to promote Jewish pride, identity and continuity among New American families in the greater Chicagoland area, by providing educational, religious, cultural and social services in a caring non-judgmental environment.

FREE’s programming and services focuses on Jewish family life cycle events and holidays and festivals in the Jewish calendar year. The FREE Hebrew schools, Bar and Bas Mitzvah preparation classes and youth clubs are an integral part of our youth education program. Adult Judaic classes and counseling and Family Shabat Services helps New Americans become proud members of the Jewish community. Our popular Memorial Yizkor and Kaddish programs are important and meaningful avenues that link generations and bridge continents. The widely acclaimed Shalom Magazine, a Russian language publication of FREE, features quality journalism and enjoys avid global readership. All of our programs are provided in the framework of a caring family environment.

At the present time FREE’s primary location is the Bellows Educational and Cultural Center in Chicago with three additional satellites located throughout the Chicago area and in the suburbs.
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Learning & Inspiration
  • Man as CreatorWhat the Rebbe said on his birthday 51 years ago Read More
  • Two Remarkable Visits to the OhelMarina and I also committed to returning to the Rebbe’s Ohel a year after this visit. We pledged... Read More
  • 13 Maror Facts Every Jew Should KnowThe Bitter Herbs of the Passover Seder Read More
  • The One Super Simple Thing to Do Before Passover!Selling chametz is an important and easy part of Passover prep Read More
Shabbat & Holidays
Candle Lighting Times
Chicago, IL
Weekly Torah Portion
Upcoming Holiday
Apr. 5 - Apr. 13
Daily Thought
What’s the difference between matzah and chametz? They’re both made from flour and water, both baked in an oven, and both provide nourishment. But one stays flat and humble, while the other fills itself with hot air. That’s why matzah is a key ingredient for leaving your personal Egypt: As long as we are full of delusions of...
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