About

Washington Square Minyan strives to create a meaningful and quality Tefillah experience through our commitment to halachah and egalitarianism, connecting people from diverse Jewish backgrounds to build a warm and vibrant community. We meet for tefillah just about every Shabbat and holiday morning. Unless otherwise noted, we meet in the downstairs chapel of Congregation Kehillath Israel at 384 Harvard Street, Brookline, Massachusetts. 

The minyan also hosts community events and holiday programming. Please view the calendar for information about times and upcoming events.

Seating

We usually daven (pray) with separate seating, without a mechitzah (partition), but on the first Shabbat of every month we add an all-gender section. For more information about our seating click here.

Inclusion

Washington Square Minyan is a community where people of all abilities are valued equally and participate fully. Our meeting spaces and restrooms are fully accessible to individuals with physical disabilities. We are proud to be Ruderman Synagogue Inclusion Project grantees, and we are grateful for their support. We would love to hear your feedback on what Washington Square Minyan can do to increase inclusivity in our community. Please provide your suggestions and comments to inclusion@wsminyan.org.

Commitment to LGBTQ+ Inclusion and Gender Diversity

Washington Square Minyan (WSM) is committed to being a safe, welcoming, and inclusive community for gender-diverse members.

No Questions Asked / No Chairs Moved
Gender-diverse members are encouraged to sit in whichever section of the room feels most comfortable for them. To maintain a welcoming atmosphere, only our designated Room Gabbai will assist with seating arrangements. We ask all community members not to comment on or question anyone’s seating choices, even with the best of intentions, as we’ve learned that such inquiries can hinder the creation of a truly inclusive space. Additionally, no chairs should be moved to alter the room’s configuration; the Room Gabbai will address any issues with the seating arrangement.

Inclusive Language
In our greetings and announcements, we are committed to using inclusive language, particularly when referring to seating sections, to foster a respectful and welcoming environment for everyone

Kashrut

All food served in public venues (such as our regular meeting space at KI) is certified kosher (“hechshered”). Food served in these public venues is either a) store-bought, or b) prepared by a kosher caterer. For minyan events hosted in community members’ homes, food is made in a kosher kitchen, with certified kosher ingredients, and not cooked on Shabbat.  If you have any questions about this policy, please e-mail kashrut@wsminyan.org. 

Non-Profit Status

Washington Square Minyan is a 501(c)3 organization. Our EIN is 20-2009080, and you can find our full IRS profile here