Funeral Details

Bernard L. Rivkin (Bernie) died on July 3, 2026 after a valiant battle with cancer. He was born on February 1, 1947, in a Displaced Person Camp in Germany to Sol and Ella Rivkin. He immigrated from France to the United States with his parents and older sister Reva. He and his family arrived in Chicago to begin their American dream.
Bernie graduated from Roosevelt University and John Marshall Law School. He clerked for Appellate Court Judge David Linn who became a valued mentor. He had a successful career in law and retired from the Braun and Rivkin Law Firm in 2000.
Bernie was an avid patron of the arts. He and his wife Rena enjoyed music, opera, live theatre, dance and concerts at Millenium Park and Symphony Center. He was a voracious reader and loved a good political discussion. He was a good and loyal friend, and he maintained and valued many long-term relationships. He was a long-time member of the University Club where he made many friends.
Bernie’s death on July 3, is particularly poignant for a person who was the embodiment of the American Dream. Bernie was an immigrant, whose family had little when they arrived. With the help of the Joint Distribution Committee, his family learned English, got jobs, housing, and Bernie and his sister went to American schools. Bernie worked hard, took chances, and was able to succeed as a lawyer and real estate entrepreneur. Bernie always remembered his humble roots and was a generous supporter of organizations such as the Joint Distribution Committee whose hand up helped to make his American Dream possible. He had a keen sense of social justice, never forgetting from where he came and taking responsibility for Tikun Olam through action and dedication to important causes.
Bernie is predeceased by his parents, and brother-in-law Marvin. He is survived by his beloved wife Rena Honorow, his daughter and his sister Reva Schlanger, his mother in-law Scharlotte Honorow, his in-laws, numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
Service Monday, 12Noon at Chicago Jewish Funerals, 8851 Skokie Blvd. (at Niles Center Road), Skokie. Interment Waldheim.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Joint Distribution Committee, JDC Attn: Scott Suthers 220 E 42nd Street, Suite 400 New York, NY 10017, www.jdc.org, or HIAS, PO Box 97077 Washington, DC 20090, www.hias.org. or the Greater Chicago Food Depository, 4100 West Ann Lurie Pl Chicago, IL 60632, www.chicagosfoodbank.org.
To attend the funeral live stream, please visit our website. Arrangements by Chicago Jewish Funerals - Skokie Chapel, 847.229.8822, www.cjfinfo.com.