Food

Israel-Inspired Eatery Opens in Chicago

Hummus and veggies Image by Courtesy of www.emachicago.com

By Michael Kaminer July 11, 2016

Hey, why the long “E”? Because the name of the restaurant is Ema — as in “mother” — and it’s finally open in Chicago’s River North neighborhood.

Chef C.J. Jacobson’s menu is inspired by his time in Israel as a professional volleyball player. Spicy hummus, lamb kefta kebabs, kebabs, fresh salads and house-made bread are among the offerings.

Michael Kaminer is a contributing editor at the Forward.

A message from our Publisher & CEO Rachel Fishman Feddersen

I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism so that we can be prepared for whatever news 2025 brings.

Now more than ever, American Jews need independent news they can trust, with reporting driven by truth, not ideology. We serve you, not any ideological agenda.

At a time when other newsrooms are closing or cutting back, the Forward has removed its paywall and invested additional resources to report on the ground from Israel and around the U.S. on the impact of the war, rising antisemitism and polarized discourse.

Readers like you make it all possible. Support our work by becoming a Forward Member and connect with our journalism and your community.

— Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO