About Us
The Sephardic Congregation is an Orthodox synagogue located in Evanston, Illinois on the northern border of Chicago’s West Rogers Park neighborhood. We are a diverse and dynamic congregation with members from around the corner and around the world. We are dedicated to increasing Torah learning and observance and Ahavat Yisrael (love for the Jewish people). Our synagogue is a warm and friendly spiritual home for both Sephardim and Ashkenazim alike. We are proud of how each member brings his or her own story to our diverse community—such as those who have a multi-generational history at our congregation and those new to the city or Sephardic Congregation, of all ages and backgrounds who are seeking a Jewish community – a place to call home.
Learning
The Evanston Community Kollel - Ateret Mordechai, is a unique morning and night kollel for beginner and advanced Torah Study. The Kollel was started by Rabbi Hertzel Hillel Yitzhak, also the Rav of the Sephardic Congregation, in September 2016.
Prayer Services
The Sephardic Congregation hosts Shacharit, Minha, and Arvit every day of the week and follows the Sephardic nusach.
Now, as always, Sephardic Congregation is your home.
Rabbi Hertzel Hillel Yitzhak
Rabbi Hertzel Hillel Yitzhak received his Rabbinical ordination from the great Kabbalist Rabbi Shraya Deblitzki zt”l, Rabbi David Yosef, Rabbi Shmuel Eliezer Stern, of the Beit Beit Din of Rabbi Shmuel Wosner zt”l, and Rabbi Yona Metzger, former Chief Rabbi of the State of Israel.
Since 2009 he has served as the Rabbi of the Sephardic Congregation in Evanston. Rabbi Yitzhak also received his doctorate in clinical psychology and currently serves as chair of the department of psychology of Hebrew Theological College.
Rabbi Yitzhak has authored several books in halachah.
Rabbi Shimshon Yitzakov
Rabbi Shimshon Yitzakov has joined the Sephardic Congregation in January 2020 from Israel as Rabbi Yitzhak’s assistant and program coordinator.
Having extensive Rabbinic training in Israel, he was brought on board to help invigorate and energize our established and welcoming community, especially with our Hebrew speaking members and non-members, where he continues to engage with families within the community, actively seeking and welcoming new Hebrew speaking members, and inviting them to his home for Shabbat.
Rabbi Shimshon also gives intriguing Torah classes in Hebrew at the synagogue, and can be frequently found helping Rabbi Yitzhak with all community life events.