Moontower Minyan Brings Local Sound to Shabbat
The group offers an alternative for Austin's Jewish residents through monthly services featuring bluegrass and jazz.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Judaism
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Following the October 7, 2023, attacks in Israel, Rabbi Dan Ain and Alana Joblin Ain established the Moontower Minyan to offer a new way for Austin residents to engage in Jewish community life. The group blends traditional prayer with local musical traditions like bluegrass and jazz at monthly services.
Why it matters
With 44% of Jewish adults having moved to the area within the last decade, the founders sought to build a community that mirrors Austin culture rather than traditional Eastern European styles. The initiative addresses a gap for the 85% of local Jewish households who do not belong to a formal congregation.
The greater Austin area is home to more than 62,000 Jewish residents, yet only 15% of Jewish households belong to a formal congregation. About 60 people typically attend the monthly Moontower Minyan services at a local artist collective.
The players
Rabbi Dan Ain
A co-founder of the Moontower Minyan who moved to Austin in 2022.
Alana Joblin Ain
A co-founder of the Moontower Minyan who helps integrate local musical traditions into religious services.
The details
The minyan, named after the iconic 165-foot steel towers scattered across the city, invites attendees to join the band with their own microphones or instruments. Organizers aim to create a space that feels distinctly local, replacing standard liturgy styles with melodies rooted in the city's music scene. Future plans for the community include expanding services into the Hill Country, including areas like Dripping Springs.
Timeline
1968 marked the start of significant growth for the local Jewish community.
2022 was when Dan and Alana Joblin Ain relocated to Austin.
October 7, 2023, was the date of the Hamas-led attacks in Israel.
October 2026 is the publication month of this update.
The Texas Context
The formation of the group follows the pattern of cultural shifts in Austin driven by the 15% metro population growth during the COVID pandemic. This effort reflects a broader movement to adapt community institutions to a city where nearly half of the Jewish adult population arrived in the last ten years.
Residents looking for alternative community spaces can attend the group's monthly Shabbat services held at a local artist collective. The organizers are currently working toward expanding these offerings into the Hill Country for those living outside the city center.
The takeaway
The Moontower Minyan demonstrates how newcomers are blending traditional religious life with Austin's unique musical aesthetic. Those interested in the group's growth should watch for upcoming announcements regarding their planned expansion into the Hill Country.
Further reading
Learn more about the local faith community in our Judaism section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Forward.
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