History
In the fall of 2003, a small group of friends and acquaintances gathered together to discuss organizing a minyan in Cambridge, MA that would offer an uplifting and inclusive davening experience. A few weeks later, the first Shabbat morning service was held as a trial. Without a name, a Torah of its own, or a membership list, the service drew 70 people for a beautiful, energetic tefillah.
Several factors contributed to the immediate success of the minyan, soon to be named Minyan Tehillah. It had grown out of Shirat Miriam, a similar minyan that met one Friday night a month for a halakhic, Carlebach-style davening, which provided opportunities for women to lead parts of the service. The establishment of the North Charles Community Eruv was also instrumental in expanding the potential for the Cambridge Jewish community. For the first time, couples started staying in Cambridge to raise families. Cambridge's religious community was ready for a new self-sufficient minyan that functioned outside of university campus life. Finally, Minyan Tehillah was founded shortly after the establishment of two successful, innovative minyanim: Darkhei Noam in New York and Shirah Chadasha in Jerusalem. Many among Cambridge's mobile population had spent time in Jerusalem and New York and had participated in these two minyanim. Feeling deeply connected to their inclusive, halakhic, spiritual tefillah, they had strong models to follow in establishing Minyan Tehillah.
Over the years, the minyan has expanded its services. Now Minyan Tehillah meets twice a month for Shabbat morning services, and once a month for Friday evening services. In addition, Minyan Tehillah meets for many holidays including Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Purim, Pesach, and Shavuot. We hope you will join us!
Several factors contributed to the immediate success of the minyan, soon to be named Minyan Tehillah. It had grown out of Shirat Miriam, a similar minyan that met one Friday night a month for a halakhic, Carlebach-style davening, which provided opportunities for women to lead parts of the service. The establishment of the North Charles Community Eruv was also instrumental in expanding the potential for the Cambridge Jewish community. For the first time, couples started staying in Cambridge to raise families. Cambridge's religious community was ready for a new self-sufficient minyan that functioned outside of university campus life. Finally, Minyan Tehillah was founded shortly after the establishment of two successful, innovative minyanim: Darkhei Noam in New York and Shirah Chadasha in Jerusalem. Many among Cambridge's mobile population had spent time in Jerusalem and New York and had participated in these two minyanim. Feeling deeply connected to their inclusive, halakhic, spiritual tefillah, they had strong models to follow in establishing Minyan Tehillah.
Over the years, the minyan has expanded its services. Now Minyan Tehillah meets twice a month for Shabbat morning services, and once a month for Friday evening services. In addition, Minyan Tehillah meets for many holidays including Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Purim, Pesach, and Shavuot. We hope you will join us!
