55 Martha Road
Boston, MA 02114
Phone: 617.523.0453
Fax: 617.723.2863
www.bostonsynagogue.org
Weekly Services
Friday Night 6:30 PM
Saturday AM 9:45 AM*
*
9:30 AM Preliminary
9:45 AM Shaharit
10:00-10:15 Torah
So What Denomination Are You, Anyway?
As the only full-service Synagogue in the heart of downtown Boston, our goal is to serve the needs of as many Jews as possible in our community.
We see the standard denominational tags (Reform, Conservative, Orthodox and Reconstructionist) getting in the way of that mission, by being needlessly divisive. The single label ‘Jewish’ is more than sufficient, and we embrace the phrase ‘trans-denominational’ to express our interest in transcending the old divisions that separate Jews from one another.
To accommodate everyone to the greatest extent possible, we've come up with some creative solutions.
For many years, we have provided a mixed seating section where most people sit, but we also provide separate men's- and women's-only seating areas.
Three to four years ago, we became egalitarian, after a careful review of halacha, Jewish law. Now women count as part of a minyan, the quorum of ten; they can lead services; receive Torah aliyot; have bat mitzvahs; and lead services. The Matriarchs are included in the Amidah prayer. However, in deference to our traditions, we reserve the first two aliyot for male Cohanim and Leviim (who also perform the Priestly benediction on holidays).
Prayerbooks and Prayer
Our prayer books are in a state of transition. Until recently, we had been using the Artscroll Siddur for weekly services. However, in response to requests by our members for a siddur with better, more contemporary English translations (and some transliterations for those who can’t read Hebrew), we have adopted the Siddur Hadash as our regular siddur. The response to date has been overwhelmingly positive.
Similarly, until recently we had been using the Hertz Chumash for Torah and Haftorah services. Starting with this year's Torah cycle, we’ve begun using the new Etz Hayim Chumash, which has outstanding modern English translations and commentary.
As a part of our transition to books with better English, we also will be experimenting with greater use of English in our services. We think that Hebrew is preferred, particularly when it is accompanied by a spiritually meaningful tune. However, where the Hebrew in a traditional service is largely ‘davened’ in silence, with the chazzan only saying the first and last few words in a paragraph, we think that reading selected paragraphs in well-translated English may provide a more powerful spiritual and intellectual experience. We also want everyone to feel comfortable and part of the group.
Since this is a work in progress, come to our services and help us decide on the appropriate direction!