The Season for Giving is Here đź’ť

Three great ways for you to get involved this holiday season

Author

Nate Ruben
October 31, 2024

What’s Inside

  1. Final Call for Rise Again Community Art Event

  2. Officially Added: Robert Lewis Clark

  3. ULBGC: Operation Holiday Spirit in Motion

  4. Rotary: Operation Santa Claus Final Hurrah!

  5. Special thanks to our sponsors

To take a stand is to open yourself up to your own hypocrisy.

Nate Ruben

My world has not been the same since October 7th, 2023.

Waking up to a flurry of texts, news articles, and videos shocked me with scenes beyond my worst imagination. My greatest fear since childhood came true.

They are coming for the Jews.

Rather than hide in a corner and hope it wasn’t happening, I chose to get involved.

I started addressing the issue on my podcast.

I got more active with several Pro-Israel organizations.

I started to honor Shabbat more often with friends and family.

My wife and I went to Israel in July, diving deeper into our multi-cultural heritage, and getting a pulse for how people all across the country are feeling.

Choosing to stand up and be heard has not come without consequences.

I’ve lost friends. I’ve lost followers. I’ve received nasty comments. I lost an artist for this showcase. I’m sure I’ve lost business.

But I’ve gained something much more: a point of view.

My biggest struggle as an artist and spiritual seeker has been finding what I want to say. Meditation has lead to an incredible inner peace. But it also creates a feeling of disconnect from the human struggle. I often wonder how I fit into all of this.

The issues I choose to speak about also highlight everywhere I’ve been silent. They can contradict the values that guide other stances. It’s part of the messy-ness of the human experience. Being brave enough to see my own hypocrisy is part of self realization.

That’s why Rise Again is more than an art show. It’s an expression of who I am at my core:

  1. A sober man living in recovery

  2. A grateful husband and family man

  3. A dedicated community servant

  4. A proud Zionist Jew

  5. A deeply introspective person trying to make meaning out of life

You don’t have to agree with my world view. I just ask that you respect it and see me as a whole person.

What is this event?

Join us on Thursday, November 7th at 6p for a night of art, community, and philanthropy.

A collective of artists will be showcasing and selling original artwork. 50% of the proceeds go to the artist and 50% go to these featured non-profits (you can choose which non-profits to support):

What can you expect?

  • 30+ original works available for collectors

  • Robust community of business decision-makers, art collectors and philanthropists

  • Abundant food and drink

Can't attend but want to contribute?

Make a donation on the ticketing page!

Officially Added: Robert Lewis Clark

You may remember Robert Lewis Clark from Episode 31 of the Much Love Podcast.

Robert is a Chicago Icon.

With work slated to be in the Obama Library, Robert will have several prints available for sale at Rise Again. He will also be showcasing new original work.

Operation Holiday Spirit is in Motion!

I am deeply committed to the mission of the Union League Boys and Girls Clubs. I ask you to consider a donation to the Associate Board Holiday Party by clicking this link:
https://impact.ulbgc.org/campaign/associate-boards-operation-holiday-spirit/c627964

For just $50, you can provide unbridled joy to a Club kid this winter. If you sponsor a donation of $100, we will purchase a coat and winter items for one of our migrant Club kids. Each gift will brighten the holidays for Club members of our Barreto Club, which services Chicago's Humboldt Park community.

With temperatures dropping and the nights getting longer it can be tough to find the bright spots. Every year we find that the Associate Board Holiday Party is one of the kids’ favorite memories from their Club experience. Check out how much fun the kids had last year and see the impact your donation will make.

Date: Monday December 11th at 6:00pm
Location: Union League Club of Chicago

Thank you for your consideration and hope to see you at the holiday party in a couple of weeks!

Operation Santa Claus in it’s Final Year!

My friend and Rotarian Gary Moriello and his wife Bev announced this will be the final year for Operation Santa Claus (OSC). Read his message below:

“For 33 years OSC has supported children in need right here in Illinois. But this year, Operation Santa Claus will be helping the children and families in Lahaina by providing those children with $50.00 gift cards to Barnes & Noble to help them begin to rebuild their own home libraries.

Last year the town of Lahaina on the island of Maui was destroyed by wildfires. Families lot their homes, their loved ones, their earthly possessions, and their entire community. In addition, the children lost their beloved school. Many of those children have experienced 3 or 4 temporary school locations since that time.

We are working with the Rotary Club of Lahaina Sunset, the United Way, Barnes & Noble (both local & corporate), and of course the Rotary Club of Northbrook, to get these gift cards in Santa’s hands for distribution in early December.

Every donation of $50 covers one child, but donations of any amount will be greatly appreciated as we need to raise $20,000 to make sure that we have gift cards for up to 400 children!

Donations can be made by check (made out to “Operation Santa Claus/Gary Moriello) or cash or Zelle. All Zelle donations should be directed to this email address: [email protected], as they will then go directly into our Operation Santa Claus account.

If you have any questions regarding Operation Santa Claus 2024, please do not hesitate to contact us. Thank you for helping to bring the gift of literacy to so many deserving children.”

Grateful for Sponsor Support!

Our event has been funded thanks to the sponsors below:

Wishing you a life beyond your wildest dreams!

Much Love,
N8