Our mission

The mission of the Ohel Minyan is to nurture and sustain a halakhically traditional, egalitarian Jewish community in Northampton, MA. We are a community built around our love of communal prayer and a desire to help one another through life stages, challenges, losses, and celebrations.

Our history

The Ohel Minyan met for the first time on Rosh Hashana 5781 (2020). In the midst of a global pandemic, a handful of people in Northampton, MA were desperate to daven (pray) in community after months of isolation. Since then, we have been nourished by davening together. We have grown so much that we have a weekday morning minyan in addition to meeting on some holidays and Shabbatot. We hope you will be part of the community, whether you live in Northampton or are just passing through.  

Ohel Minyan leadership

The Ohel Minyan is powered by volunteer love! A team of gabba'im (organizers) do the big-picture coordination and make sure our operations are in order. The gabba'im of the Ohel Minyan are: Mara Benjamin, Bruce Bromberg-Seltzer, Jonathan Dubinsky, Sara Farber, Samantha Grossman, Miryam Kabakov, Laura Katsnelson, Amy Meltzer, Eli Molitors Bergman, and Becca Walker.

FAQ

What is "trad-egal"?

The Ohel Minyan is traditional-egalitarian, or "trad-egal." That means most people will experience it as very similar to an Orthodox minyan in terms of the speed, style, and sound of the davening. However, we are fully egalitarian: adult Jews of all genders are counted in a prayer quorum, and seating is not separated by gender.

When does the Ohel Minyan meet? 

• Monday through Friday at 8:15 am; Sundays and major Federal holidays at 9:00 AM.  

• Every few weeks or so on Shabbat mornings, for Kabbalat Shabbat, or for Shabbat mincha/maariv

• For the high holidays

Click on the calendar tab for all the details.

Where does the Ohel Minyan meet? 

We meet in the garage of the Water Building, which is on the campus of Congregation B'nai Israel, at 237 Prospect Street, Northampton, MA.

What style of davening can I expect at the Ohel Minyan?

While the prayers are in Hebrew and are fast paced, there is always someone there to welcome you and help you find the page. The gabbai'im are happy to explain any parts of the service if you have questions. No prior knowledge of traditional Hebrew prayer needed. There is always some singing that is easy to catch on to. To read more about our davening or what you need to know to be a shaliach tzibbur, a prayer leader, click here.

What if I'm not used to traditional davening? What if I haven't been to daily minyan? 

For people new to traditional services, coming to the Ohel Minyan can be an immersive experience of getting familiar with the rhythms, words, and sounds of morning davening. If you'd like to know more about the flow of the service, here is a handy guide to morning services, with page numbers in the standard siddur (Artscroll) and in the transliterated siddur (Eit Ratzon). 

Will there be food? Is it kosher?

Yes and yes! We typically serve kiddush following Shabbat or yontif morning services. After morning minyan, you might be offered coffee, herring, or cake, since people often bring a little nosh for everyone who made the minyan on a day when they have yahrzeit.

All food served at Ohel minyan events is prepared in a kosher kitchen (or is pre-packaged and has a hekhsher). 

To contribute to a kiddush, or to host a yarzheit breakfast, please contact the minyan coordinators at gabbai@ohelminyan.org.

Where can I get some of that great merch?

We have T-shirts, onesies, and other fun stuff! Click here to wear your love for the Ohel Minyan!

How can I donate?  Are my donations tax-deductible?

You may donate to the Ohel Minyan via Paypal or mail a check made out to The Ohel Minyan. We are a non-profit, and as a religious organization, all donations to the Ohel Minyan are tax deductible.

Ohel Minyan policies

What are the Ohel Minyan's COVID policies?

The Ohel Minyan is mask optional, with the exception of a mask-required section (marked by signs) at Ohel services. If you have questions, please email gabbai@ohelminyan.org.

Who counts in a minyan at the Ohel?

We welcome anyone who would like to join our community to come to our davening or events, regardless of religious affiliation. 

For purposes of reaching a quorum of 10 adult Jews, we count people age 12/13+ who are Jewish according to the traditional halakhic definition (a person is Jewish if the person who gave birth to them is Jewish or if they have undergone conversion). If you have questions, or would like to let us know not to count you for the purposes of reaching a quorum, please speak to a gabbai or write to us at gabbai@ohelminyan.org.

What else should I know about participating in Ohel Minyan events?

To ensure the Ohel Minyan is accessible to our participants, we ask each other to adhere to these guidelines while attending Ohel Minyan events in person or participating in Ohel Minyan digital communications.