Sefer Minhagim

In the rich tapestry of Jewish life, our minhagim – cherished customs and practices – weave together our past, unite us in the present, and guide us toward the future. 

Minhag has always played a vital role in shaping the unique character of Jewish communities. Customs arise within a community reflecting local influences and the sensibilities of its spiritual leadership and members. They serve as a powerful means of transmitting tradition, fostering communal identity, and adding unique layers of meaning and beauty to our observance. The Torah tradition stresses the importance of local minhag and the need for families and communities to preserve their unique customs.

Since our founding in 1956, our shul has cultivated a distinct character, embracing a firm commitment to halakha while fostering a spirit of warmth, inclusion and openness. These values, passed down through dedicated leaders and embraced by our diverse membership, are reflected in Skokie Valley’s minhagei tefillah, customs of prayer.

This Sefer Minhagim (click here) was compiled to document and clarify our minhagei tefillah– and thereby:

• Preserve our heritage: To ensure that future generations understand and carry the minhagim that shape our community forward.
• Foster understanding: To provide clarity and context for our practices, allowing both long-time members and newcomers to participate fully and knowledgeably.
• Strengthen our unity: By making our minhagim transparent and accessible to all, we hope that will reinforce our collective sense of belonging and identity and help avoid any dispute about correct practices. As we continue to grow and develop as a community, having this resource will help us maintain our unity.

This Sefer Minhagim is a work in progress, a reflection of our evolving community. Corrections or changes to the sefer minhagim will be made as needed by the ritual committee, gabbais, and rabbinic leadership together. 

On behalf of all Skokie Valley members, past, current and future, I would like to express our deepest gratitude to all who helped create this document (In alphabetical order): Asher Karrol, Doug Klein, Avery Hart, Elliot Raff, and Rachel Stein. I would also like to thank Rabbi Brahm Weinberg and the KMS Community for sharing initial guidance in how to structure this document. Thank you for your work helping us ensure מנהג אבותינו בידינו – the customs of our ancestors are in our hands.

It is our hope that this will serve as a valuable resource for all members of Skokie Valley Agudath Jacob for many years to come, strengthening our community and elevating our tefillot, bringing us closer to one another and to God.