DC Minyan

FREQUENTLY ASKED Questions

Have your questions answered here!

KASHRUT POLICY

Kashrut is a central value for DC Minyan, and all of our communal events follow standards of kashrut intended to ensure that the largest number of members is comfortable eating. We also recognize that, as has been the case in many Jewish communities throughout history, DC Minyan community members observe a range of kashrut standards in their own homes. After considering relevant halachic guidelines and principles, we have formulated a policy that respects the range of practices in our community and maximizes our potential for hospitality meal matching. Read more…

OUR HISTORY

DC Minyan began when a group of Jews in the DC area met informally to discuss forming a new minyan (prayer group). The individuals who attended this meeting came from a diverse set of Jewish backgrounds — some had been attending Conservative synagogues, others had been going to Orthodox synagogues — and had differing conceptions of what this new community would look like. Some goals that many of the initial organizers shared included affording women a significant role in services; creating a friendly community; retaining a sense of fidelity to halakhah (Jewish law); empowering community members to shape services and events through a lay-led organizational structure; and holding meaningful and inspiring services. Read more…

LEADERSHIP

DC Minyan has the privelege of being led by a group of wise, committed, talented, creative, thoughtful, and hard-working individuals. Find out who they are and what roles they play. Read more …

PROGRAMS

DC Minyan is a Jewish community passionately committed to both traditional halachah and principles of egalitarianism. We strive to be an inclusive community that provides rich and meaningful Jewish experiences for people of diverse backgrounds. Our activities are focused on the three pillars of the Jewish world: Torah (study), Avodah (prayer), and Gemilut Chasadim (social action/acts of kindness). Read more …

GOVERNANCE, REPORTS, AND MINUTES

This is where you can find DC Minyan governance documents, such as our bylaws and articles of incorporation, as well as reports and minutes from various community meetings. See documents here…

DC MINYAN IN THE NEWS

From “Amid the quaint brownstones of Dupont Circle, traditional Judaism is taking root” in the Washington Jewish Week in 2002 to “…rather than taking young Jews out of the synagogue pews, [independent prayer groups] are taking them out of their beds on Saturday mornings” in the New York Times in 2009, DC Minyan’s story and practices have appeared in the press numerous times. Read more …