Rosenblum’s World of Judaica

I have been going to this store for over 10 years the service is always friendly and they help you find what you need and also help with suggestions. I will continue to visit when I need anything. Keep up the good work.

Rosenblum’s is an absolute joy to be in and explore. The staff was very kind and helpful, and even the visitors were chatting up my wife and six children while we browsed the isles.
We made our first trip a few weeks back right before Passover. Our main goal was to pick up a tallit and perhaps some items for our upcoming seder. As we entered the store we were cordially greeted with smiles and helpful advise. From what I gathered, it was a locally owned mom and pop shop owned by a Jewish couple. The lady behind the counter showed us around the store and helped me navigate the many fine tallitot they have. Shortly after that a man walked over to us and helped me try on a few options, explaining how to wear it and what size was appropriate for my height. Even to the point of explaining the Torah principle of wearing fringes! I was very pleased and honored to have such helpful service. This shop is clearly run by people who care about their customers, and go the extra mile to provide a quality service and product that best suits your wishes and needs.
Because my wife and I have children that range from 9 years to 11 months, we are always nervous about what store owners are going to think about little fingers touching and bumping things in their store. We kept our children close and told them constantly not to touch, but they were so excited to see the many items that we read about in Torah that they couldn’t help their fingers on various things around the store. Even though we felt embarrassed when our children gave a blast on the shofars or accidentally ripped a page in a book, we never once felt a cold stare or murmur. Instead they expressed joy and heartfelt appreciation with seeing our young ones, and that’s really special to us. (We bought the ripped book, and it turned out to be a wonderful kids Haggadah that they all loved!)
When I was able to break free from my children, I browsed around the stacks and marveled at the many books that I never get a chance to see in any store near us. I wasn’t looking for assistance, but the man who was stocking and managing the shelves spoke to many other customers while I was there and seemed very well versed and knowledgable in the topics and questions that they had. I think I could return by myself and spend an afternoon (and my entire paycheck) solely in the book section!
Once we made our selections and paid at the counter, we left and packed our children into the car. We then realized that the listed store hours said they closed minutes ago. We were not rushed out the door, and had hardly noticed our error in taking so long chatting at the checkout. As we were sitting in the car looking on our phones for a local Jewish grocer, the owner came out and complemented us on our family and how nice it was to have met us. I asked him where to find some kosher for Passover items, and he gave me turn by turn directions to the local Jewel which had a huge selection of just that. (Shameless plug for the local Jewel-​Osco.)
I honestly have never been in a store quite like Rosenblum’s. It has literally everything you would need as far as traditional and even modern Judaica, as well as a very large and up-​to-​date bookstore with topics that would keep scholars and children alike happy to return. The owners and staff were very happy to help us and chat with us, and they have a great atmosphere for adults and children alike. Oh, did I mention that they have a table with toys for children to play with while you shop?
A special note in regard to the negative reviews here: We are messianic, my wife did not have her hair covered, I was not wearing a kippah or halachic tzitzit, and we received unbiased service like any other would in any other store of this caliber. My opinion based on my experience is that the negative reviewers brought their own biased views into the store with them. Don’t agree? Check out the store for yourself. You will be pleasantly surprised!
Shalom!

We shopped for our child’s first Tallit. Hadn’t been to this store in decades (it used to be at a different location), but a friend had brought us a lovely hostess gift from Rosenblum’s, so we took a little drive.
Well worth it. The ladies at the counter called out the owner («He LOVES to help with these things) and our child got full fitting and educational session on different Tallitot, and T’fillin (why are they so expensive? what makes one set better than another? now we know). A lovely family-​owned business, where you also feel like family.

It seems that fundamentalist ostracizing is no longer the exclusive purview of Christianity. Judaism is inclusive, thoughtful, and tempered. That’s the ethic behind which our people have stood for thousands of years. Unfortunately, the jackass behind the counter at this place threatens the good of Judaism and humanity as a whole with his nasty attitude and dismissive bitchiness.
In a day and age where those who crave order and tradition in their household should be celebrated, this jamoke made me want to give up on religion altogether, except for that whole «eye for an eye» thing, which made me want to cut out one of his eyes. And then the other.
There are plenty of family run Judaica shops in the Chicagoland area, and many of them aren’t populated with douchebags who, with their singular vision of right and wrong, myopically create a divisive schism within the strongest religion in the world.
In short, shame on you, you prick.

Beautiful stuff in this shop. Pity the staff was not friendly and pretty rude at the check out. I asked if I could pay to the man behind the counter and he just yelled at his wife without saying a word to me. No good bye or thank you afterwards. Weird people. Won’t buy here again.

I’m hosting Passover this year. I ordered the food from Max & Benny’s* since I don’t cook (hence all the restaurant reviews). I thought I was all set until I realized a few days ago that I need a seder plate and haggadahs. A seder plate would have been ideal to register for when I got married 6 years ago, but back when I was a childless youngster I didn’t think about things like hosting passover.
Today my 3-​yr-​old daughter and I headed to Rosenblum’s in search of a seder plate and haggadahs. As always she had a billion questions in the car about where we were going. I told her we were going to a store with lots of jewish stuff. She asked if they celebrate hanukkah (her favorite holiday after halloween) at the store. I said yes and she was more than happy to tag along… probably thinking she’d come home with 8 presents.
As soon as we got there I was immediately impressed with all the gorgeous seder plates to choose from, as well so many toys and books to teach the children about the jewish holidays. My daughter took it all in and then asked one of the women who works there where they sell the Christmas decorations. Oy– we apparently still have a lot to learn about jewish holidays.
I asked for some help finding the perfect seder plate. The nice woman suggested my daughter play at the pretend shabbat table while we take a look. My daughter took one gleeful look at the shabbat table and I knew I could shop in there for an entire hour and she was unlikely to move. She was very busy pretending to make shabbat dinner; perhaps she’ll be cooking passover for us (instead of max and benny) in a few years!
They had so many beautiful seder plates (Annie Glass, Spode, etc), but I ended up finding a gorgeous Spode one that I had admired online. And then couldn’t pass up getting the matching matzah plate as well. I was about to start my haggadah search when all of a sudden from across the room my 3 year old shares very loudly (among the dozens of shoppers) very specific details about needing to go to the bathroom. Double oy– the joys of potty training. They were nice enough to let us use their employee bathroom in the back, she took care of business and then we got her back to her new favorite shabbat table. It turned out she was so excited to get back to playing shabbat that she didn’t spend nearly enough time in the bathroom because 10 minutes later she was sharing (or screaming) about the potty again. Tripple oy. Fortunately, all the nice employees and shoppers didn’t look quite as horrified as by the christmas decoration incident.
Two potty trips later it was time to search for the haggadahs. Another woman who works there suggested one that was good for mixed families. While I’m 100% jewish she probably assumed I’m not after the christmas decoration incident. The mixed family version looked like it had the best illustrations for kids (and myself) so I went with it.
By now my daughter had lured a poor teenage girl over to the shabbat table and was very busy serving her «dinner.» Potential babysitter picked up at the judaica store? It didn’t look like I was going to get her out of there anytime soon so I checked out the kids toys and books. I ended up finding a baby book about passover for my 1 year old son and couldn’t resist buying «if you give a frog a piece of matzah» book for my daughter. Both books were huge hits at bedtime tonight.
I paid for my passover goodies and told my daughter it was time to go home, but promised her she could come back to «play again at the jewish store» another time. I’d definitely come back for anything Judaic in the future. They seem to have it all and I was impressed with all the help from the employees; by the time I left a total of 4 knowledgable people had approached me.
*

I was saddened by my visit to Rosenblum’s. I went in looking for items for my Passover Seder. I brought a friend with me, who, while not Jewish, is fascinated by Jewish religion and culture. We found many beautiful and interesting items. I selected what I needed, and my friend selected some books. I paid for my purchases and the gentleman at the counter was very courteous and chatty. When it came my friend’s turn to pay, the gentleman ignored her and simply walked away. I said ‘Excuse me we’d like these books as well.’ He reluctantly took the books and handed them off to the woman who was standing behind the counter, who rang them up quickly and did not even wait at the counter long enough for my friend to sign and hand back the charge slip. Neither responded to our ‘Goodbye’ as we left. Why was the gentleman more courteous to me? Why did my friend get the cold shoulder?
She is black. That is all.
So, thank you Rosenblum’s for making me embarrassed and ashamed of the behavior of ‘my people’, for reinforcing bigotry and prejudice and for turning all the beautiful items you sell ugly with your discrimination.
Please do not shop here. Find a store that practices the true nature of Judaisim; tolerance, peace, and respect for all people.

I love this store. Especially as i live WAY out in the West burbs and there are very few fellow Jews out by me!
The owner was very helpful when we picked out our ketubah, and we are very very much Reform Jews! Converts to boot!
The woman who works here, can’t remember her name, tried for months to get me an Elmo kippah for my son. Ultimately they couldn’t as their supplier stopped making them, but she tried really hard, and updated me every few weeks with phone calls.

I have been in once before to purchase Or Hadash and everyone (male and female) were very helpful. Just recently I ordered a handful of extra siddurim for our congregation and he not only did’t ask for a credit card before we picked them up, but he offered more of a discount than the USCJ offers. Also, to my amazement, he knew of our synagogue, which is tiny and 150 miles away, and mentioned that a member of ours usually buys the lulav and etrog there for Sukkot. I didn’t think it was a sales pitch at all, but was thankful that he put two and two together and didn’t want us to get caught without one for the holiday.

I had the same experience as Vlad. The vibe here is very uncomfortable, and horribly unwelcoming. Contact me directly through Unilocal!to learn about my specific experience. Until then, I re-​iterate Vlad’s comment «Maybe if I had tzizit hanging out and sported a black hat, the treatment would have been different.»

Rosenblum’s is moving (or has?) to Skokie, but my fond memories of this house of Judaica stays within this Devon Avenue neighbourhood. This area has changed so much over the years that I no longer recognize it (or feel particularly comfortable). But that’s almost besides the point.
I still have the Mezuzah necklace that my best friend (Norm) gave me in College as I was in the process of converting to Judaism. I picked it out here myself and would return to Rosenblum’s at every Chicago opportunity to see what else looked interesting. I’m sure you’ll find me here in Skokie the next time I’m in town.

If you are looking for anything Jewish, this is the place. There is not need to go elsewhere. Some things are cheaply priced, some expensive but for the most part they are right on target with other Judaica stores.
They have a wide selection and nice employees.
One of the best Judaica stores in the country. They even do a big mail order/​catalog/​web based business as well.
They go by AllJudaica on the net.
When living elsewhere I have used their web site. Other than Judaica World in Crown Heights NY, this is as good as it gets.