Shaarei Tefillah
| Shaarei Tefillah | |
|---|---|
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Modern Orthodox Judaism |
| Ecclesiastical or organizational status | Synagogue |
| Leadership | Rabbi Benjamin J. Samuels |
| Status | Active |
| Location | |
| Location | 35 Morseland Avenue,Newton,Massachusetts02459 |
| Country | United States |
  Location inMassachusetts | |
| Geographic coordinates | 42°20′22″N71°11′51″W/ 42.33944°N 71.19750°W |
| Architecture | |
| Date established | 1983(as a congregation) |
| Completed | 1987 |
| Specifications | |
| Capacity | 300 worshippers |
| Height (max) | 20.2 feet (6.2 m) |
| Website | |
| shaarei | |
Shaarei Tefillah(Hebrew:שַׁעֲרֵי תְפִלָה,lit. 'Gates of Prayer'), officiallyCongregation Shaarei Tefillah,is aModern Orthodoxsynagoguelocated at 35 Morseland Avenue in the village ofNewton CentreinNewton,Massachusetts,in the United States.[1][2][3][4]In 2003, the synagogue had a membership of 140 families, and in 2012 that number had risen to 220 families.[1][2][5]The congregation is notable for the unusual concentration of distinguished scholars among its members.[1][6][7]
History
[edit]Shaarei Tefillah was founded in December 1983 by dissident members of Newton's other majorOrthodoxsynagogue, Congregation Beth-El Atereth Israel.[2][6][8]Members describe the split as "generational"; Shaarei Tefillah members were younger, but more traditional and knowledgeable than those at Beth El.[2]Members share the duty of leading services throughout the year.[2]
The synagogue initially met in the living rooms of the homes of its members, and in a church gymnasium.[2][8][9]In 1985, the congregation proposed locating the synagogue in a private house at 841 Commonwealth Avenue. They bought the property in 1984 for $165,000 and sought a zoning variance that would allow them to open a synagogue there in spite of there not being adequate parking.[8][9][10]The synagogue sold the property a year later after failing to work out an arrangement.[9]
The synagogue has been located since 1987 at 35 Morseland Avenue, one block north ofCommonwealth Avenueand around the corner from Beth El. It purchased the house that year from a rabbi who had been operating a small synagogue in its basement since 1970.[2][9][11]
The interior walls of the house were removed and a five-foot high wall constructed down the middle to create separate spaces for men and women. The ark is on the men's side, but both it and thebimahare easily seen from the women's side.[2]As of 2009, the synagogue had 300 seats, and was seeking to expand to 405 seats.[11]
Services
[edit]Services are held on weekday mornings and evenings, as well asShabbatandJewish holidays.[2]Friday evening services are attended primarily by men.[2]The synagogue's twogabbaimwelcome unfamiliar guests, and seek people to lead the services.[2]
Its members are known for being highly educated, with people joking that "if you don't have three degrees, they won't let you in".[1]TheJewish Orthodox Feminist Alliance(JOFA) honors on its Wall of Honor, for being women Presidents of Orthodox synagogues, the following past presidents of Shaarei Tefillah: Brenda Katz (1992–94), Lisa Micley (1999–2001), and Nancy Kolodny, former Dean of Wellesley College (2001–03).[12][13]
Clergy and leadership
[edit]The congregation is led by Rabbi Benjamin Samuels, who was hired in September 1995 as its first full-time rabbi.[1][14][15]It has lay officers, and a board of approximately 15 people.[2]In 1985, Dr. Alan Rockoff was the synagogue's president.[10]Richard Feczko was its president from July 2003 to July 2006.[16]
References
[edit]- ^abcdeTye, Larry (2002).Home Lands: Portraits of the New Jewish Diaspora.Henry Holt & Co. pp. 137–38.ISBN0-8050-6591-1.
- ^abcdefghijklSummit, Jeffrey A. (2003).The Lord's Song in a Strange Land: Music and Identity in Contemporary Jewish Worship.Oxford University Press US.ISBN0-19-516181-5.RetrievedJune 25,2011.
- ^Feldman, Steven (1986).Guide to Jewish Boston and New England.ISBN0-9615649-0-3.RetrievedJune 25,2011.
- ^Sheldon, Betsy (2001).The Jewish travel guide.Hunter Publishing, Inc.ISBN1-55650-879-4.RetrievedJune 25,2011.
- ^"Rabbi Benjamin Samuels, Congregation Shaarei Tefillah, Newton Centre, Massachusetts".Rabbinical Council of America.June 25, 2008.RetrievedJune 25,2011.
- ^abSarna, Jonathan D.; Smith, Ellen; Kosofsky, Scott-Martin (2005).The Jews of Boston.Yale University Press.ISBN0-300-10787-0.RetrievedJune 25,2011.
- ^"Congregation Shaarei Tefillah Inc | Newton Centre, Ma".Ishcc.org. December 23, 1983.RetrievedJune 25,2011.
- ^abcPave, Marvin (July 11, 1985)."Complaint Is Filed Over Temple Denial".The Boston Globe.Archived fromthe originalon November 7, 2012.RetrievedJune 25,2011.
- ^abcdStewart, Rhonda (January 18, 2004)."Synagogue Parking Tiff Sparks Debate Beyond Zoning Orthodox Group, City Say They Are Still Open To Settling Out Of Court".The Boston Globe.Archived fromthe originalon November 7, 2012.RetrievedJune 25,2011.
- ^abTracey, Diane (April 2, 1985)."Parking Order For Newton Synagogue Protested".The Boston Globe.Archived fromthe originalon November 7, 2012.RetrievedJune 25,2011.
- ^ab"35 Morseland; Shaarei Tefillah; City of Newton Special Permits"(PDF).Archived fromthe original(PDF)on September 27, 2011.RetrievedJanuary 2,2016.
- ^"Wall of Honor".Jewish Orthodox Feminist Alliance.RetrievedJune 25,2011.
- ^"Nancy Kolodny".Wellesley College.August 24, 2009.RetrievedJune 25,2011.
- ^"Rabbi Benjamin Joseph Samuels".Congregation Shaarei Tefillah. 2011.RetrievedJune 23,2011.
- ^Ribadeneira, Diego (January 27, 1966)."A Time of Change: Synagogues adjusting to new, younger rabbis".The Boston Globe.Archived fromthe originalon February 1, 2013.RetrievedJune 25,2011.
- ^Chaityn, Susan (December 31, 2006)."Haulers take it as it comes".The Boston Globe.RetrievedJune 25,2011.
External links
[edit]- Official website
- Hoffman, Lawrence A. (1977).Gates of Understanding: A companion volume to Shaarei tefillah, Gates of prayer.Vol. 1.Central Conference of American Rabbisby theUnion of American Hebrew Congregations.ISBN0-916694-34-8.
