The Evanston Orthodox Minyan is a vibrant and diverse Jewish community that welcomes Jews of all backgrounds who share our commitments to:
- Halakha (traditional Jewish practice);
- Excellence in tefillah (prayer);
- Talmud Torah (Torah study) that is creative, challenging, and meaningful to contemporary life;
- Tzedakah and gemilut hasadim (creating a just and caring community).
The Evanston Orthodox Minyan grew out of the student minyan started at Northwestern Hillel in 1981. The minyan evolved into a joint venture of Evanston residents and Northwestern University students and faculty, under the leadership of Rabbi Michael 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.
