Copyright © 2005 Jewish Federation of St. Joseph Valley. All rights reserved.

Community Directory

South Bend, Elkhart, and the surrounding communities in north-central Indiana and southwest lower Michigan are home to a thriving and welcoming Jewish community. The following directory provides information about important resources in our community and elsewhere. (All links open in a new page.)

Congregations

Adult Education

  • Talmud Study Class

    • Hebrew Orthodox Congregation
    Saturdays, one hour before Minchah

  • Torah Study Class for Women

    • with Rebbetzin Miriam Gettinger
    Monday Evenings 8:00pm

  • Daf Yomi Talmud Class

    • Rabbi Yisrael Gettinger
    Monday-Thursday: 9:00-10:00 pm
    Saturday: One hour after Shabbos

  • Be a Mensch

    • Tuesdays at Noon
    Temple Beth-El

  • Midwest Torah Center Life Coach Institute

    • 2516 S. Twyckenham Dr.
    574-234-9092

Youth Education

  • South Bend Hebrew Day School

    • Founded in 1974, the Hebrew Day School offers a full secular curriculum as well as religious studies including Hebrew language, Jewish history and Bible to children kindergarten through eighth grade. There is also a program for 3 and 4-year old children which provides kindergarten preparation and introduction to Hebrew vocabulary with an orientation to Jewish holidays.

  • Rabbi Naftali Riff Yeshiva

    • The Rabbi Naftali Rift Yeshiva, founded in 1988, offers a complete high school program for Jewish young men. The school serves both local and out-of-town students. The secular courses include selected college level curricula for juniors and seniors provided by Indiana University-South Bend. Religious courses include Torah, Mishna, Gemora, and Jewish history.

  • Bais Yaakov

    • Bais Yaakov of Indiana is a four-year girl's college prep high school offering seminar style classes and general studies. Limited boarding opportunities are available.

Youth Activities

  • Camp Ideal

    • For over 45 years the Federation's day camp has been dedicated to promoting and sharing the values and ideals of the Jewish tradition and committed to providing children with a safe, enjoyable, growth-filled summer experience. We use our outdoor setting on the Federation's campus in a creative way to enhance the camp experience of your children. Camp Ideal provides opportunities for children to play and have fun with new adventures while learning to appreciate their heritage and to develop positive personal and social values.

  • Young Judea

    • Young Judea chapter, sponsored by Hadassah, provides social and learning opportunities for children in the local Jewish community while instilling Jewish values, Jewish pride and a lifelong commitment to Israel

  • B'nai Brith Youth Organization (BBYO)

    • The Bas Ami BBG chapter (for girls) and the David Ben Gurion AZA chapter (for boys) provide high school teens with the opportunity to interact socially with other Jewish teens in the South Bend area and in the larger region.

Libraries

  • Jewish Federation Multi-Media Library

    • A collection of adult books, video tapes and periodicals available. Two computer terminals with an Internet connection are available.

  • Temple Beth-El Library

    • A large collection of adult and children's books of Jewish interest available for loan

  • Sinai Synagogue Library

    • A selection of adult and children's books of Jewish interest available for loan

Lectures and Cultural Events

  • Bernard H. Natkow Community Lecture

    • Lecture held in conjunction with the annual meeting of the Jewish Federation.

  • Bert and Etta Liss Lecture

    • An endowed lecture through the University of Notre Dame Department of Theology.

  • Miriam and Manuel Price Foundation

    • Sponsors an annual cultural program at Sinai Synagogue for the entire community.

  • Kurt and Tessye Simon Fund for Holocaust Remembrance

    • Programming and education dealing with history and values derived from the Holocaust.

  • Kurt and Tessye Simon Institute on Judaism for Clergy and Educators

    • Annual Institute held at Temple Beth-El to teach about Judaism.

  • Michiana Jewish Historical Society

    • Roger Birdsell, Director
    The Historical Society works to preserve the history of artifacts of the local Jewish community. The Historical Society sponsors periodic lectures and exhibits. For additional information about Indiana Jewish history, visit the Indiana Jewish Historical Society website.

Bereavement

  • Hebrew Orthodox Cemetery Association

    • Corner of Jefferson & Logan Street
    Mishawaka, Indiana
    Carol Carey: 574-259-7000 or 1-800-648-1123

  • Rose Hill Cemetery Association

    • c/o Temple Beth-El
    574-234-4402

  • Chevra Kadisha (Jewish Burial Society)

    • Contact: Diane Sandock at 291-4449

  • Forest G. Hay Funeral Home

    • 435 South Ironwood
    South Bend, IN 46615
    574-289-6375

Additional Resources

  • Kosher Food

    • Besides the local supermarkets, which carry an increasingly large supply of nationally and regionally branded kosher food items, a Kosher Food Service is available, which brings Kosher meat, Cholov Yisrael milk and kosher products to South Bend weekly
    574-291-4239

  • Mikvah

    • Hebrew Orthodox Congregation is the home to a kosher Mikvah.
    To schedule an appointment, call Tsipi Lerman at 574-287-7147 or 574-236-5127 (if no answer, call 574-291-4239 or 574-287-2600)

  • Jewish War Veterans Society