Did those original six families imagine this is where the Ezra-Habonim, the Niles Township Jewish Congregation would end up? In 1952 they decided to poll the Jewish community to see if they should create a synagogue and Sunday school. Now here stands Ezra-Habonim. They initially met for Friday night services in the Skokie Village Hall courtroom. Can you imagine storing all the prayer books and religious items in a jail cell after each service? The congregation quickly outgrew the space. For a while they held High Holiday services at the Teatro del Lago Theater in Wilmette. Finally, in 1959 they dedicated their first permanent home on Dempster Street. This Ezra-Habonim, the Niles Township Jewish Congregation is a testament to the power of community. They came together to create a place of worship. They worked with the village to secure land. They even convinced a reluctant seller to part with his property. The Ezra-Habonim, the Niles Township Jewish Congregation stands as a symbol of their dedication and perseverance.
Congregation Or Torah
Rabbi Zvi Engel’s leadership guides Congregation Or Torah. This impressive Modern Orthodox Synagogue stands proudly in Skokie Illinois. It’s one