With three locations across Illinois, the Hinda Institute serves as the Jewish chaplaincy program for the Illinois correctional system at the state, county, and federal levels.
For a list of serviced institutions please click here.
Our Impact
Our chaplains visit each and every one of our incarcerated clients every month—or, in the case of Cook County Jail and the Metropolitan Correctional Center, every single week. We proudly serve anyone who requests our support, regardless of their belief system or denomination.
Currently, we visit between 150 to 200 clients monthly across numerous facilities, traveling over 45,000 miles throughout Illinois. The secret to our low recidivism rate lies in the lifelong relationships we build. Our chaplains mentor clients both during incarceration and throughout reentry.
Whether through listening, counseling, teaching, or delivering newsletters and reading materials (plus the famous “Hinda joke of the month”), our chaplains offer more than just presence—they offer hope. Above all, we remind individuals of their humanity, help them envision transformation, and let them know someone truly cares—even when no one else seems to.
Advocacy
As prison chaplains, advocacy is one of our most vital responsibilities. We work tirelessly to ensure that our clients’ religious rights are upheld in accordance with American law.
These rights include access to religious celebrations, kosher and Passover meals, and the freedom to pray and don Tefillin (phylacteries). Upholding these rights often means navigating complex, cautious, and sometimes impenetrable bureaucracies, confronting ignorance or anti-Semitism, and collaborating with a network of organizations and individuals.
Above all, this work demands a deep belief in the value of Jewish observance, an unwavering commitment to the dignity of incarcerated Jewish individuals, and a steadfast dedication to their civil liberties.
Understanding the Issue - Reducing Recidivism
Jewish Burials, Gets, and Rabbinic Services
When a Jewish individual dies in prison, there may be no one to arrange or fund a proper burial.
Hinda Institute chaplains step in to organize rabbinic services and ensure that funerals are conducted with the dignity and respect befitting a Jewish soul.
In many cases, we are the only family our clients have on the outside.
We believe that every Jewish life holds meaning and value—and every soul deserves a burial rooted in compassion, tradition, and honor.
We are deeply grateful to Chicago Jewish Funerals for their generous sponsorship, which helps make these sacred services possible.
Hinda Hero - Circle of Giving
Rabbi Shneur Scheiman had been visiting a Jewish man, "M," at the prison hospital for over six years. During that time, M was happy to put on tefillin (phylacteries) and reconnect with his Judaism and G‑d. At some point, due to his illness, his arm became too weak and the tefillin bothered him. Rabbi Shneur Scheiman and M decided to put tefillin on his head only, which continued monthly despite M being in a terrible mood most times due to pain.
Rabbi Shneur Scheiman continues:
"For the past few months, he was so moody and weak that he did not agree to put on any tefillin, but we continued to visit him and tried to make him smile. On Monday, August 26th, I had my monthly visit to that prison. I considered skipping the visit to this man, figuring that he'd likely not be interested in even talking. I decided to go to him anyway. He was sitting up in a wheelchair (usually he's in bed) and looked relatively good. I asked him if he would like to put on tefillin. He said, 'Yes.'Seeing that it may be possible this time, I asked if we could put tefillin on his arm—something he hadn't done in many, many months. He agreed. I carefully wrapped tefillin on his shriveled arm, making sure not to cause him discomfort. Together we recited the Shema (Jewish prayer attesting to belief in one G‑d). His soul must have known that this was the last chance. Ten days later, his soul returned to its Maker. Who knows what the mission of M's soul was in this world, but in some way he did good and returned (did teshuvah)."
The circle of caring and the story does not end here, however. We needed to give M a Jewish burial. Mr. David Jacobsen of Chicago Jewish Funerals once again stepped up to the plate. Despite the fact that we have imposed on him time and again, he obviously has a tremendously kind Jewish heart and empathizes with human suffering.
We now just needed to transport the body. Another client of ours, "L," who had been out of prison for 17 years, empathized with this other Jew he did not even know and donated the $750 for the transport.
This was a true example of community and chesed shel emet—real charity without recompense. We want to thank the mysterious L for his kindness, Mr. Jacobsen for his continual support which is above and beyond the call of duty, and finally our chaplains for never giving up hope.