About Us
אודותינו

A Note from the Principal

Rabbi Linzer

Welcome to Hillel Torah!  We are proud to be a Preschool-8th grade Modern Orthodox Jewish Day School committed to child-centered, progressive education, serving the greater Chicagoland community. We provide an excellent and equally rigorous general and Judaic studies education in a dual language (Hebrew immersion), Religious Zionist, co-educational setting.

The secret to our strength is the power of the Hillel Torah community.  The continued growth and success of our school are driven by the collective commitment, input and contributions of all our stakeholders – students, faculty, staff, families, volunteers, alumni, donors, and community members.

If you are considering joining our community – either as a school for your child, as a place to grow as a professional or as a place to invest in the future of Jewish education – please give me a call and I would love to partner with you.

Please join us in making a difference in the lives of children, educators and families!

Rabbi Menachem Linzer
[email protected]

Our Mission

We are a dynamic, Modern Orthodox day school preparing the Jewish leaders of tomorrow. Our progressive, child-centered approach promotes academic excellence in Judaic and general studies. Rooted in Torah learning and values, we encourage children to develop a life-long commitment to Medinat Yisrael, the Jewish people and the global community.

Our History

  • Mid 1950s

    • Migration of Jewish community from West side to East (Lakefront) and North (Rogers Park) neighborhoods led to closing of Rambam Day School on West side
    • Establishment of Torah Center (Lakeview) and Hillel Day School at Bernard Horwich JCC (WRP)

  • 1961

    • Hillel Torah (a merger between Torah Center and Hillel Day School) joined North Suburban Day School (Skokie Valley Synagogue) to form Hillel Torah North Suburban Day School
    • Hillel Torah becomes first Jewish Orthodox day school in Northern suburbs
    • Rabbi Dr. Abraham H. Bruckenstein appointed as founding Principal/Dean (1961-1997)

  • 1961 cont.

    • Preschool and primary grades housed at Skokie Valley and BHJCC
    • Middle School moved into Max and Rose Cohen building at HTC campus (Skokie)
    • Received Illinois State Accreditation and Torah Umesorah recognition
    • Shlichim program initiated

  • 1972-1975

    • Student growth prompted mobile classroom units to accommodate increased enrollment
    • 1st Addition – classrooms and multi-purpose room (gym/auditorium) added

  • 1985

    • 2nd Addition – doubled size of library and four primary school classrooms added (North wing)

  • 1987

    • University of Illinois at Chicago cites HTNSDS as one of 19 Chicago area schools fostering pupil excellence in Character Development and Academic Achievement
    • Visit from Governor Jim Thompson and State Commissioner of Education

  • 1988

    • Visit from Aluf Uzi Narkiss, Six Day War hero and liberator of Yerushalayim and Kotel from Jordanian 19 year occupation (our Israeli shlichim, who served under his leadership, saluted and embraced their beloved commander)

  • 1990

    • 3rd Addition – gym and 8 Middle School classrooms added (South wing)

  • 1993

    • “Pras Yerushalayim,” the Jerusalem Prize for Torah Education in Diaspora, awarded to Hillel Torah by the Torah Department of the Zionist Organization. It was presented in Israel by President Ezer Weitzman in presence of Israeli Chief Rabbis Bakshi-Doron and Yisrael Meir Lau.

  • 1994

    • Hachanasat Sefer Torah by parents Ruth and David Binter in memory of relatives George and Dora Halperin Yelles, z”l

  • 2004

    • HTNSDS reunion in Israel attended by over 400 graduates, teachers and administrators who have made aliya  

  • 2009

    • Visit from Rabbi Shlomo Amar, Sephardic Chief Rabbi of Israel

  • 2010

    • Names, Not Numbers © program introduced into 8th grade Jewish history curriculum
    • Hartman Educator of the Year awarded to Lior Kakon

  • 2011

    • Hartman Educator of the Year awarded to Gayle Kopin
    • Visit from Rabbi Aharon Lichtenstein, z”l, of Yeshivat Har Etzion and Rosh Kollel (Gruss Institute)

  • 2012

    • 50th Anniversary Legacy of Learning
    • “Our Building Our Future” campaign completed with purchase of HTNSDS building from HTC
    • Hartman Educator of the Year awarded to Ariela Haymberg
    • Emuna Shir Weiss z”l Sefer Torah dedication

  • 2014

    • Hartman Educator of the Year awarded to Debra Andruk

  • 2015

    • Hartman Educator of the Year awarded to Anita London
    • HTNSDS selected to pilot Google Expeditions Pioneer Program

  • 2016

    • Hartman Educator of the Year awarded to Rabbi Aaron Leibtag
    • AdvancED accreditation renewal
    • MSI Partnership begins

  • 2018

    • Visit from Rav Reuven Feinstein, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshiva of Staten Island
    • 7th grader wins 2nd place in the National Chidon Hatanach Contest in NY

  • 2019

    • Hartman Educator of the Year awarded to Sari Kravitt

  • 2021

    • 60th Anniversary Year
    • Record admissions year with 82 new students enrolling
    • Inception of the Joseph Kirschner GrowTorah Garden Program

  • 2022

    • Hillel Torah featured in the book Inside Jewish Day Schools: Leadership, Learning, and Community, by Alex Pomson and Jack Wertheimer

  • 2024

    • Hartman Educator of the Year awarded to Hannah Kowitt

Our Annual Fund

Our Hillel Torah family continues to grow and thrive due to the partnership of our generous community of parents, grandparents, alumni, faculty and friends. A gift to our Annual Fund provides a meaningful and direct impact on the lives of Jewish children in our community. Your partnership will help us strengthen our heritage promoting Torah values and our lifelong commitment to Medinat Yisrael.

Meet Our Team at Hillel Torah

Northwestern University
Center for Talent Development

Northwestern University’s Center for Talent Development has partnered with us to review our STEM programming, offer afterschool advanced enrichment programs and help subsidize Sunday enrichment courses.

Museum of Science+Industry

Hillel Torah is proud to be partnering with the Museum of Science and Industry as part of their School Partner Program to integrate science education at a whole-school level through collaboration with MSI’s top educators, cohort meetings, and school support tools. Utilizing the most cutting-edge research in science learning and skills while aligning our curriculum to the new NGSS standards, we are continually raising the bar for science education in creative and interactive ways at our school.

Cognia

Cognia

Every five years, we renew our Accreditation with Cognia (formerly AdvancED), a globally recognized – and the country’s largest – regional accrediting agency.  This process involves a rigorous and comprehensive self-study involving all stakeholders (parents, staff, and students) via committees and surveys and culminates with a two-day visit by an evaluation team in March. The standards focus on academic achievement, leadership, and excellence in personnel and resources and provide valuable feedback for us to continue on our path of continuous improvement.

Employment Opportunities

Our outstanding faculty are dedicated to their students and to their own continued professional growth. Our team-oriented approach creates a positive school culture where teachers enjoy working together and feel a strong connection to their colleagues.

Open Positions

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