Eli Newell is a Chicago-based artist & organizer working at the intersections of live performance, environmental justice, and Jewish ritual. Eli proudly facilitates study, ritual and community programming – both at Mishkan and independently with families all over the world.

As a director and writer of live performance, Eli’s work has been shown in Chicago, New York and Minneapolis-St. Paul, including at Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Raven Theatre, Pivot Arts, Strawdog Theater Company, Chicago Immersive, the Factory Theater and the Salt Shed, in venues ranging from conventional theater spaces to Chicago’s neighborhood streets to a speakeasy on the magnificent mile; associate & assistant credits include Goodman Theatre, Chicago Shakes, Northlight Theatre, Guthrie Theater and Ordway Center for the Performing Arts.

A 2022 Avodah Justice Fellow, Eli is committed to a life of community organizing in movements for transformative justice. A performing arts and food fanatic, occasional thru-hiker and an avid reader of nonfiction, Eli grew up in the Twin Cities Jewish community before receiving a B.A. from Northwestern University, and is now going on 10 years as a Chicagoland local— currently residing in Lincoln Square with four-legged bestie Benny Goodman. www.elinewell.org