The Ark.

The Ark is a amazing organization that knows what they're doing and Really Help People. Despite the uphill battle right now they manage to use every resource to help. Bravo to The Ark.

Do not bring your children to The Ark Chicago, especially teenagers approaching adulthood. I speak from experience: the Ark and its staff — including Vicki Hass, Naomi Leidersnaider, Shlomo Tenenbaum, Mark Swatez, and the current CEO Marna Goldwin — destroyed the relationship between me and my daughter and escalated a family crisis into something devastating and irreversible. I brought my child to a Jewish community because it was supposed to uphold moral and religious laws meant to protect families. Instead, the organization’s actions completely violated those principles. Jewish teaching forbids standing idly by when someone is in danger (“Lo ta’amod al dam re’echa”) and forbids placing stumbling blocks before others (“Lifnei iver lo titen michshol”). It also prohibits turning internal disputes into destructive secular court battles rather than pursuing reconciliation and justice within the community. In my case, all of these obligations were ignored. A default order of protection was obtained that separated me from my daughter. I have not seen her in over ten years. During that time, I repeatedly raised my concerns to community leaders, funders, and rabbis. They dismissed me while the organization continued operating as if nothing had happened. The Ark extorted my child by continuing to fund her school while preventing me from protecting her. They illegally recorded me and manipulated events to punish me for raising alarms. They orchestrated the destruction of a mother-daughter relationship while leaving me in extreme hardship. My daughter became ill, suffered physically and emotionally, and I was ignored by the people who should have acted to prevent this. The organization profited from my child’s compliance while leaving our family in ruins. I would never have gone to secular courts to fight with my own child, but that is exactly what The Ark forced. Community rabbis, including Chabad leaders, refused to believe me when I cried, even after I explained the severity of what happened. Ten years later, the consequences are irreversible. Families who turn to these institutions in moments of crisis are exposed to harm, betrayal, and trauma. The Ark Chicago continues to operate despite this destruction. Institutions that present themselves as guardians of Jewish values have a moral and ethical responsibility to protect families. The Ark failed entirely.

Unprofessional and exclusionary. I was asked inappropriate questions about my religion and made to feel uncomfortable and unwelcome. This nonprofit clearly serves only one religious group and should not present itself as inclusive.

this 1-star review is about The Ark located at 6450 N California Ave, Chicago, IL 60645.Case workers and front desk pearson had violated the HIPAA Privacy Rule asking me this question- "Can you tell me what type of disability do you have?Do you have a doctor's diagnosis?How much do you receive from your disability?".The caseworker and a front desk pearson asked me these question.I refuse to answer these questions and I politely have reminded them that by asking me these questions they violate the HIPAA Privacy Rule.I doubt that the people who work in The Ark are a real humans.People who work in The Ark have demonstrated a lack of emotional understanding and compassion.Safe your time and avoid this place like a plague.

I was fortunate enough to stay at the Singer House for six months with my two children. To those that complain you have no idea of how lucky you are to have this program. I have seen it in its days of glory and the last time I was there I learned the Singer House was gone, and shelter offered was very basic. But still the volunteers offered food for the hungry and the homeless no matter what race or religious background you came from. I'll never forget Ed, a homeless Christian whose pants constantly were falling down. From what I see in these photos of now, I wonder what happened to all the European Jews who were teachers, engineers, lawyers, doctors...who took jobs as housecleaners to survive. My children are grown adults now, and if it weren't for the Ark I would have given them up for adoption. Thank you to all the souls here or gone from around 1994.

Told to me will call after one week, but didn't call and after one and half week, if I didn't call what's going on, never should be, if someone told you one week should be in one week or less!!

Great organization with fantastic caring people.

The staff here is amazing.

The Ark is an extraordinary organization that truly embodies compassion, dignity, and service. From my first interaction with Jenny Evans, whose warmth and professionalism made me feel valued, to the incredible dedication of Cheryl Davis, it is clear that the staff here operate from a place of genuine care and commitment. They go above and beyond to meet people where they are, offering not just resources but a sense of hope and belonging. The teamwork, efficiency, and kindness displayed by every staff member I’ve encountered reflect an organization with both heart and excellence. It’s rare to find a place where every person — from leadership to frontline staff — treats you like family, listens deeply, and works tirelessly to improve lives. The Ark is a blessing to our community, and I’m truly grateful for all they do.

The Ark is a wonderful place for help with mental health, etc…

Very nice and helpful

It's a great organization that helps Jewish people.

Great organization

My family will be forever grateful to Rabbi Tennenbaum and the Ark, for truly being an "Ark " we in a Storm of Grief our family member was not Jewish and the Loving kindness of the Ark for all of God's Children treated him with Dignity, Respect, Honor, and Love as they helped us lay him to rest , though our heart's are broken at the loss we are eternally Grateful for their loving kindness . God Bless them all we will be forever grateful Shalom God Bless , We are all children of God

Amazing service organization with kind and knowledgeable staff that helps Chicago’s Jews find paths back to self reliance.

It is not easy to be a community that helps those that have struggled to survive amongst a sea toxicity. The Ark is a haven and has been for many others. With the challenges of being organised and providing humane services, this place is full of compassion and order. Grateful for the volunteers and staff.