Jewish Communities of Minnesota

Adas Israel Congregation was founded in the 1890’s by members of the Moses Montefiore congregation. Adas Israel Congregation is a Modern Orthodox synagogue, but describes itself as “an Orthodox/high conservative congregation.” It is located in Duluth where it is the oldest Orthodox synagogue, and it is often refereed to as “3rd street Shul” due to it’s location on E 3rd street. 1

Adath Jeshurun Congeregation is located in Minnetonka and was founded in 1884. Adath Jeshurun Congregation was the first Conservative congregation in the Midwest and one of the first in the United States. It is a progressive egalitarian community and prides itself on inclusion.2

Bais Yisroel Synagogue is located in Saint Louis Park and was founded in January of 1990. Bais Yisroel Synagogue is affiliated with the Orthodox movement of Judaism. When it was first formed, it was the first Orthodox synagogue founded in the Twin Cities in several decades.3

Bet Shalom Congregation was founded in May of 1981 as a Reform Synagogue. This congregation, which is located in Minnetonka, has a goal of being an intimate community in which people feel at home.4

Beth El Synagogue is located in Saint Louis Park and is affiliated with the Conservative movement. Beth El Synagogue was founded in the 1920’s when a group of young people wanted to meet for services, and since that time has grown to a congregation numbering 894 families. 5

B’nai Abraham Synagogue was built and founded in Virginia between 1909 and 1910, but since that time has gone through much change. In the mid 1990’s the closed due to a significant drop in membership. The synagogue reopened its doors as a Museum and cultural center6 in 2008 with the help of a not-for-profit organization, The Friends of B’nai Abraham.

B’nai Israel Synagogue was first founded in 1917 with only 25 members. This synagogue is the only Reform synagogue located in Rochester, and as a result makes a special effort to help the help Jews in the community feel comfortable.7

Chabad Lubavitch of Minneapolis was founded in Minneapolis in 1997. The Chabad movement is a Hasidic Jewish movement that has a goal of spreading Jewish awareness.8

Chabad Lubavitch of Northern Minnesota is another synagogue affiliated with Chabad. Located in Duluth, this synagogue was established in 2001 for the Jews of Northern Minnesota and Wisconsin. 9

Chabad Lubavitch of Rochester was founded in 1988. The goal of placing a Chabad House in this location was to provide Jewish opportunities for the very small Jewish community that existed in Rochester.10

Congregation Mayim Rabim is a Reconstructionist congregation located in Minneapolis. Mayim Rabim was founded in 1992. As Reconstructionists, members of this synagogue view Judaisn as an evolving religion.11

Darchei Noam is located in Saint Louis Park and was founded in June 2005. A modern Orthodox congregation, Darchei Noam places a strong emphasis on halacha and prayer along with the state of Israel and being part of a larger Jewish community.12

Kenesseth Israel Congregation was founded in 1888 and is now located in Saint Louis Park. Kenesseth Israel is an Orthodox congregation that places a strong emphasis on Torah and education. 13

Mount Zion Temple was the first synagogue formed in MN in 1856. The first Jewish settlers to MN founded Mount Zion as a Reform Congregation in Saint Paul. Since that time, Mount Zion has continued to grow in membership and in programing and continues to be successful. 14

Or Emet Congregation is located in Saint Paul and is a congregation that practices Humanistic Judaism. Or Emet offers a non-theistic approach to Judaism that focuses on secularism, cultural Judaism, and humanism.15

Sharei Chesed Congregation’s history can be dated back to 1906. Sharei Chesed was formed when Sharei Tzedek and Gemelus Chesed, two religious organizations in the Twin Citties, merged in 1969. Sharei Chesed is a Conservative synagogue located in Minnetonka.16

Shir HaNeshamah is a Jewish Renewal Minyan that holds most of their events at the Friends Meeting House in Saint Paul. Jewish Renewal as a movement focuses on the act of tikkun olam, repairing the world, and places a strong emphasis on including all.17

Shir Tikvah Congregation was founded in June of 1988. Shir Tikvah is a progressive Reform congregation located in Minneapolis. Shir Tikvah’s founding story is very much linked to Mount Zion and the experience of their founding rabbi.18

Temple Israel was the first synagogue founded in Minneapolis. It is now in the ten largest congregations in the United States.19 Temple Israel is now an urban Reform congregation, but when it was founded in 1878 it was an Orthodox congregation known as Shaarai Tov.20

Temple Israel was founded in 1971 in Duluth. As the only full service synagogue within 150 miles, Temple Israel serves not only Duluth, but other parts of northeastern Minnesota and Wisconsin as well. Temple Israel is a Reform congregation. 21

Temple of Aaron Congregation is a Conservative synagogue located in Saint Paul. Temple of Aaron was founded in 1910 by a group of Saint Paul Orthodox Jews. This group chose to affiliate with the conservative movement in order to maintain their faith and tradition while still adapting to America.22

  1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adas_Israel_Congregation_(Duluth,_Minnesota) ↩

  1. http://www.adathjeshurun.org ↩

  1. http://www.slphistory.org/history/baisyisroel.asp ↩

  1. http://www.betshalom.org ↩

  1. http://www.bethelsynagogue.org/about/history/ ↩

  1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B%27nai_Abraham_Synagogue ↩

  1. http://www.bnaiisraelsynagogue.org/about-us/history-of-the-synagogue/ ↩

  1. http://www.chabadminneapolis.com ↩

  1. http://www.chabadnorth.com/home.htm ↩

  1. http://www.chabadrochestermn.com ↩

  1. http://www.mayimrabim.org ↩

  1. http://darcheinoammn.org ↩

  1. http://www.kenessethisrael.org/index.html ↩

  1. http://mzion.org ↩

  1. http://oremet.org/ ↩

  1. http://shareichesed.org/history.html ↩

  1. http://www.jewishfederations.org/IR/community-directory.aspx?id=48188 ↩

  1. http://www.shirtikvah.net ↩

  1. http://www.templeisrael.com/about_us.htm ↩

  1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temple_Israel_(Minneapolis,_Minnesota) ↩

  1. http://www.jewishduluth.org/about/ ↩

  1. http://templeofaaron.org/media/Temple-of-Aaron-A-Synagogue-History.pdf ↩