Bridgeview

Serving as a cultural hub for Palestinians in the United States, Little Palestine is a neighborhood in Bridgeview, Cook County that is home to a substantial Palestinian American population. About 20 miles southwest of Chicago, the community began to grow in the 1960s and 1970s when Palestinian immigrants first came to settle with hopes of seeking economic and political stability. Here, residents can explore an array of Palestinian businesses and organizations that take pride in the cultural lineage, as well as a variety of shops and restaurants that cater Middle Eastern cuisine and goods. Little Palestine’s roads echo the grid layout of city streets, with tree-lined sidewalks and verdant yards complementing the closely situated residential houses. “Neighbors are friendly but also value their privacy,” says Manhal Rabadi, a real estate broker at Caldwell Banker Realty with 18 years of experience. Area homes are primarily comprised of 1950s brick or stone ranch styles and Cape Cods priced between $240,000 and $340,000. Townhouses and condominiums start at $100,000 and go up to $230,000, and manufactured homes on leased land are also available from $5,000 to $50,000. Palestinian American Community Center provides cultural, educational and social services to empower the local community. The village of Bridgeview also organizes the annual Palestine Fest to celebrate Palestinian heritage. Additionally, the Chicago Palestine Film Festival (CPFF) screens a series of Palestinian films to narrate and showcase the history, beauty and struggles of living in Gaza. Area mosques are close by to serve the religious needs of the local community. “The neighborhood boasts over four generations of families who regularly gather for prayer and various community events,” Rabadi says. Little Palestine is home to many Palestinian-owned local businesses, including restaurants and grocery stores. Al Bawadi Grill serves authentic Middle Eastern fare such as Kanafeh in a laid-back setting. Take in the smell of freshly baked goods at Alwatan Bakery and grab a zatar or a meat pie on the go. Alamal Supermarket and Al-Amal Supermarket and Bakery are well-stocked with fresh halal meats and pita bread, delivering all sorts of Middle Eastern goods to the community. Several blocks to the east is the Chicago Ridge Mall, an indoor shopping center with over 100 stores and big-box retailers such as Kohl’s and The Home Depot. Glen Oaks Elementary School scores an A Niche rating. Additional prospective schools include George W Lieb Elementary School and Simmons Middle School, both of which have a C-plus score. Oak Lawn Community High School has a B-plus and encourages students to take electives centered around one of 16 career cluster pathways to better prepare for college and career life. Private Islamic schooling includes Aqsa School and Universal School. Aqsa is an all-girls private Islamic school that serves students from prekindergarten through 12th grade, and Universal is one of the largest Islamic schools in North America that offers co-education. Residents can enjoy some outdoor air and take a walk at Muehe Memorial Park, and children can play at the park’s ball field or playground. The 60-acre Maple Lake, which is 6 miles west of the neighborhood and part of the Palos Trail System, is a popular fishing spot with boat rentals available. About 4 miles west, there is a vast, expansive range of nature preserves and wooded grounds for walking and hiking, including the Cranberry Slough Nature Preserve, Whole Oak Woods, Hidden Pond Woods and more. Golfers can schedule tee times at Stony Creek Golf Course and families can enjoy a quick trip to the Lake Katherine Nature Center and Botanic Gardens. About 4 miles south of Little Palestine, the center regularly offers youth and adult workshops in gardening and natural science. Although Little Palestine is in the suburbs of Bridgeview, the neighborhood is quite walkable with several public transportation options. Commuters can access downtown Chicago and Chicago’s greater metropolitan area via local bus or rail systems. Pace Suburban Bus is a subdivision of the Regional Transportation Authority and provides stops throughout the suburbs of Chicago. Metra has train stops in Bridgeview for convenient access to the city and the greater Cook County. For those who commute by car, downtown Chicago is 18 miles away via Interstate 55, and O’Hare International Airport is 24 miles to the north through Interstate 294. Advocate Christ Medical Center and Northwestern Medicine Palos Hospital are both within 4 or 5 miles of the area.