Funeral Details

Jeremy Kaufman

June 8, 1970 - October 24, 2026

SERVICE INFORMATION

Date and Time

Thursday, October 29, 2026 at 12 Noon

Service

Chicago Jewish Funerals
Skokie Chapel
8851 Skokie Boulevard
Skokie, Illinois 60077
Get Directions

Clergy

Rabba Rachel Kohl Finegold
Moriah Congregation

Interment

Memorial Park Cemetery
9900 Gross Point Road
Skokie, Illinois 60076
Get Directions

Shiva

Michael and Neera Kaufman
190 Crestview Drive
Deerfield, Illinois 60015
Get Directions
Thursday following the interment until 8PM
Minyan at 7PM

Home of Vered Kaufman
2920 North Commonwealth Avenue, Unit 13B
Chicago, Illinois 60657
Friday 9AM - 11AM
and 2PM - 4PM
Morning Minyan at 9AM
Saturday 6:30PM-8:30PM (Vered will also be accepting visitors from 1PM-4PM)
Sunday 10AM-1PM and 4PM-8PM
Minyan at 10AM and 7PM

Memorial Contributions

The Ark
6450 North California
Chicago, Illinois 60645
arkchicago.org
or
Chabad East Lakeview
615 West Wellington Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60657
www.jewishlakeview.com/donate




OBITUARY

A bright light has gone out of our world. Jeremy Kaufman, 56, of Chicago, died October 24, 2026, while vacationing in Florida. Born June 8, 1970, in Chicago, to Gerald and the late Carol Kaufman, Jeremy was CEO of Kaufman Jacobs, where he had a remarkable career in commercial real estate investment. His formal training: a BA in philosophy from Brandeis.He started at Standard & Poors before moving to Ecuador, where he saved the Ecuadorian energy sector and mounted a successful case against the government of Ecuador on behalf of Ecuadorian charitable foundations.
Jeremy then returned to Chicago to help care for his ailing mother and began a long streak of professional triumphs, though nothing made him prouder than his three incredible children. Always generous with his time and resources, he supported numerous organizations and served as Board Chair of Cure Violence, a Chicago nonprofit dedicated to decreasing violence in the world. He was also an avid, world-class poker player. Jeremy was a larger than life figure, full of joy, positivity, and boundless charisma, who never failed to appreciate his exceptional life. Being with Jeremy was an experience that people relished, even when they lost money to him at the poker table, as many did.
He is survived by his wife, Vered Hankin; his children, Jonah, Coral, and Julian Kaufman; his father, Gerald, and stepmother, Judy Kaufman; and his siblings, Miriam (Eric) Feldstein, Michael (Neera) Kaufman, and Daniel (Yvee Hamaya) Kaufman. He will be sorely missed by his family and his many, many friends. Funeral services Thursday, October 29, at 12 noon, at Chicago Jewish Funerals, 8851 Skokie Blvd. (at Niles Center Road), Skokie.
Interment: Memorial Park Cemetery. 9900 Gross Point Rd, Skokie. The funeral will be livestreamed at Chicago Jewish Funerals. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Ark 6450 North California, Chicago, IL 60645 arkchicago.org or Chabad East Lakeview, 615 West Wellington Avenue Chicago, Il 60657
www.jewishlakeview.com/donate. Arrangements by Chicago Jewish Funerals – Skokie Chapel, 847.229.8822, chicagojewishfunerals.com.

This obituary is protected against unauthorized reproduction or redistribution without the funeral home or family's permission.


GUEST BOOK

We encourage you to share your personal condolences and stories of Jeremy Kaufman below and we will share them with the family.
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To Geraldine Judith and the entire Kaufman family-
Thinking about all of you at this unthinkably difficult time. My sincerest sympathies and tears of sorrow. May your shared memories help sustain you all through this terrible period. Sending strength and love. Naomi

Naomi Alexandroff-Brest
October 27, 2026
I am in total shock to hear about Jeremy's passing. I just bought a condo in his building and I met Jeremey on the roof of his building on the day the Blue Angels were flying overhead. A few weeks later I was out taking my grandson, who lives in Jeremy's building, out for a walk in his stroller. Upon our return from the park Jeremy invited us to come up and see his unit on the 13th floor. He was very warm and friendly and i was looking forward to getting to know him more and spend more time with him. Alas, God had other plans. I send my heartfelt condolences hugs to his children, wife, and his whole family. This loss has brought me great sadness... Peace, Jeremy

Scott Haigh

Scott Haigh
October 27, 2026
To Verra Kaufman and Family I new your family from many years I worked for Dr Neil Margolis at the front desk I just read this and I am so sorry for your loss

Jackie Abrams
October 27, 2026
Sending my sincere condolences as I remember Jeremy for his kindness, cheer, and humor. He made the world a better place.

Ilana Azulay
October 28, 2026
I'm so terribly sorry to hear of your loss. I am a close childhood friend of Neera's. My heart aches for all of you. Please know I am sending much love and prayers to all of you during what I can only imagine is a shocking and incredibly difficult time. Rachelle

Rachelle Kammer
October 28, 2026
My thoughts and prayers to all. I met all the Kaufman's when I went to work for Jerry in 1977, so I knew Jeremy as a child. My memories of all the children and Carol are wonderful. Such a warm, loving family that loved to tease each other...and laugh...was wonderful to see. My heart is with you.

Helen Jones
October 28, 2026
A light in this world has been extinguished . My sincerest condolences to the entire family. May he rest in peace and may his memory be for a future blessing .His love of family and joy in life were palpable.

Carol Ann Leibner
October 28, 2026
My condolences to Vered, Jerry, Judy, Jonah, Coral, Julian and the entire Kaufman family on Jeremy's sudden passing. I am deeply saddened and will lovingly remember Jeremy for his wit, intelligence, thoughtfulness, humor and vigor, whether on the Standard Club basketball court, in the business arena or in the many important philanthropic endeavors he undertook. I am so sorry for your loss and hope that your grief will over time be moderated by the knowledge that you were blessed to have such a remarkable man as your husband, son, stepson, father and brother in your lives. May his memory be for a blessing. Rest in peace, Jeremy!

Jay Gitles
October 28, 2026
My condolences to Vered, Jerry, Judy, Jonah, Coral, Julian and the entire Kaufman family on Jeremy's sudden passing. I am deeply saddened and will lovingly remember Jeremy for his wit, intelligence, thoughtfulness, humor and vigor, whether on the Standard Club basketball court, in the business arena or in the many important philanthropic endeavors he undertook. I am so sorry for your loss and hope that your grief will over time be moderated by the knowledge that you were blessed to have such a remarkable man as your husband, son, stepson, father and brother in your lives. May his memory be for a blessing. Rest in peace, Jeremy!

Jay Gitles
October 28, 2026
May his memory be a blessing

John Krauss
October 28, 2026
My sincere condolences to the family at this tremendous loss. Jeremy was truly a light! He lit up the room with his expansive nature—big heart and laugh, joy and wit. He was one of a kind and will surely be missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him.
Love and prayers for grace and tenderness in this time of mourning—
Lynn

Lynn Bos
October 28, 2026
Jeremy was a star for the good in the world. I'm sorry to hear of his passing. Much support for his children, who won't know his kind manner. He supported CVG with his whole heart. Big loss for everybody.. sympathy to the family.

Thomas Coffman
October 28, 2026
So sorry for your loss! May he rest in peace 💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔✡️✡️✡️✡️✡️✡️✡️

Toni Montgomery
October 29, 2026
Vered and Family,
My deepest condolences on the loss of Jeremy. I did not know Jeremy well but always enjoyed our conversations about ICJA.
Hoping that you will all receive comfort from the memories and the legacy he has left..
Best,
Deva Zwelling

Deva Zwelling
October 29, 2026
Words are not enough to express our sorrow for your loss. It was a beautiful service. Really loved hearing all of the wonderful comments/stories about Jeremy. He was a wonderful man and meant so much to so many.

Wally & Cathy Stern
October 29, 2026
To the entire Kaufman clan. It is with great sadness that I am processing the loss of Jeremy. His obituary was right on in that he was a dynamic force for good in this world and an all-around fun person to be with. We will all be diminished by his untimely passing. I hope that you all will be comforted by carrying his beautiful legacy with you as will I. I know that there is probably nothing you need of me, but should that ever change, please know that I am always available to talk or to do whatever you might need of me. My love to you all.

Mark Stine
October 29, 2026
Diana and I are very sorry for your loss .
Jeremy was truly unique and his sudden passing was a total shock to all who knew him. Words are inadequate at a time like this.

Dennis Hellman
October 29, 2026
My sincerest condolences to the entire Kaufman and Fuchs families. I first met Jerry and Carol when they first came to Chicago to manage the Sherman House hotel and we stayed friends our entire lives Jeremy and my son Jon share an exact birthday. As does another fellow Josh Lu Stein, and I have always felt a part of the extended Kaufman Fuchs family. I last spent a delightful day with Jeremy at the wedding of Harris Perlman‘s daughter when we walked in together and he said you’re alone, I’m alone. Let’s hang out together tonight and we did just that the entire evening of the wedding and it was a sheer delight for me. Anyway no words can be said about the magnitude of this tragedy and on behalf of the entire Polin family, my children, particularly Jon in Israel. I extend our love our condolences to the extended family. leah

Leah Polin
October 29, 2026