A vibrant and diverse Jewish community that welcomes those who share our commitments to: halakha (traditional Jewish practice), excellence in tefillah (prayer); Talmud Torah (Torah study) that is creative, challenging, and meaningful; Tzedek & Chesed. The minyan evolved into a joint venture of Evanston residents and Northwestern University students and faculty, under the leadership of Rabbi Michae
l Balinsky, then the director of Northwestern Hillel. Today it continues to meet jointly with the Northwestern Hillel Orthodox Minyan, creating a dynamic, multi-generational community. Community members host students in their homes for Shabbat and holiday meals, provide mentorship and support, and nurture relationships that often last many years beyond a student’s time on campus. Services
Services are held weekly on Shabbat mornings at 9:30 a.m., and on all yom tovim (Passover, Shavuot, Sukkot), the High Holidays, Tisha b’Av and Purim. All services take place in Room 212 at Fiedler Hillel, 629 Foster St. Special Events
Additional special events include:
• Shabbat lunch-and-learn days held four times per year.
• Annual Sukkah walk
• Seventh Day of Pesach learning and celebration (held in the evening)
• Shavuot Tikkun
• Shavuot picnic
• Monthly partnership minyan (held in the Hillel library, concurrent with a traditional orthodox minyan in room 212)
• Summer Shabbat afternoon Torah study, held at 5 p.m. Leadership
The minyan is led by its membership, and has no formal leadership structure. Members of the community regularly lead services and occasionally teach. Rabbi Josh Feigelson and Rabbi Michael Balinsky, who are members of the community, serve informally as rabbinic leaders for the minyan. They teach, give drashot, provide counseling and assist with lifecycle events as requested.
