Ora Schub

Rest in Power

Ora Schub, “godmother of social justice,” passed away June 11, 2018, after a courageous battle against cancer.

Ora was born and raised in Chicago, attended Chicago Public Schools, University of Illinois and Loyola Law School. A passionate believer in the humanity of all she dedicated her life to activism, advocacy and peace.

Over the years Ora’s activism and advocacy covered a broad range of issues including: protesting the War in Vietnam, fighting apartheid in South Africa, Palestinian rights, serving as a Board member of the Arab American Action Network since its founding in 1995, domestic violence, immigration, asylum, rights of people with disabilities and the National Lawyers Guild as a member and chapter president.

For Ora law was a tool to fight for justice and she chose her jobs accordingly: Legal Assistance Foundation of Chicago, Criminal Defense Consortium, Access Living, Cook County Public Guardian and Children and Family Justice Center, Northwestern University Legal Clinic.

Then she was introduced to restorative justice and found her life’s passion which led to her and Cheryl Graves establishing Community Justice for Youth Institute in 2003. Focused on Chicago and traveling the United States and the world they facilitated and taught restorative justice practices to empower an incredibly diverse spectrum of individuals, groups, communities and institutions to engage with each other and resolve problems with acts of peace instead of aggression.

Ora had an extraordinary capacity to relate to, touch and love people of all walks of life, gender and ages. And they loved her.

Ora is survived by her family: siblings; Zeva Schub, Mo Schub and Drora Schub, nephews; Isaiah Freeman-Schub and AJ Schub (Taylor), Karla Schub, Sharron Pitts, Leroy Jemison, Jordan Jemison and Brittany Jemison, Cheryl Graves, Lou-Ellen Saidel, David Gordon and Leslie Burns.

She will be missed.

❤