Learn about the namesakes of Joe and Blanche Numero Sholom Home West!
A Special Documentary Screening: “The Big Chill: Joe Numero & the Story of Thermo King”
Sholom, in partnership with the Jewish Historical Society of the Upper Midwest, invites you to a special documentary screening exploring the life and legacy of Joe Numero—visionary entrepreneur, philanthropist, and the namesake of Joe and Blanche Numero Sholom Home West.
“The Big Chill: Joe Numero & the Story of Thermo King” chronicles Numero’s remarkable journey from his early years to his service in World War I, and ultimately to his groundbreaking partnership with Frederick McKinley Jones, a self-taught engineer and one of the most prolific inventors of the 20th century.
Together, Numero and Jones transformed everyday life by pioneering refrigerated transportation systems, revolutionizing how food and medicine are transported across the world. Their innovation reshaped global commerce, public health, and modern living—an impact still felt today.
This film offers a meaningful opportunity to connect Sholom’s history, Jewish philanthropy, and Minnesota innovation, while honoring the legacy behind the Sholom West campus name.
