About Us
The Chavurah Minyan is a traditional, lay-led, egalitarian, and gender-inclusive minyan within the Beth El Synagogue community. Founded in 2012, the Minyan offers a spiritually satisfying, heimish, intimate davening experience where everyone is invited to come as they are.
The Chavurah Minyan currently meets at Beth El one Shabbat a month (usually the third Shabbat) at 9:00 am. We also meet on the first day of Rosh Hashanah, on Yom Kippur, and on occasional chagim (holidays). Depending on the weather, we daven in either the tent outdoors or the Multipurpose Room on the lower level of the shul.
Our davening includes unabridged Pesukei Dezimra, Shacharit, and Musaf services, and frequently features lots of vibrant singing and new melodies. We do the full Torah and Haftarah readings, and a member of the community gives a short d’var Torah. We provide both the Koren and Lev Shalem siddurim, but feel free to bring your own siddur if you prefer. We do not use any electronics.
The Minyan is attended by people of all ages and genders. Singles, couples, families, kids, teens, and seniors are all invited to come and participate. The Minyan brings together people from the main Beth El congregation and the Orthodox Kehillah, as well as people who do not attend either of these services. After services, all are welcome to join the whole synagogue community for kiddush lunch.
We welcome everyone who wants to participate, especially those who are still developing their davening skills. For many people in our minyan, it may be their first time reading Torah and Haftarah, leading services, or delivering divrei Torah. There are many of us in the minyan who are happy to provide guidance and support to people who want to learn or deepen their skills in these areas.
To learn more about the Chavurah Minyan, or if you are interested in helping lead services or learning how to do so, please contact us at durhamminyan@gmail.com.
Organizers
Our coordinating team is made up of the following people:
Adam Levine, communications coordinator
Susan Breitzer, dvar torah coordinator
Esther Mack, davening coordinator
Salem Pearce, Torah reading coordinator
Danielle Carmody-Morse, snacks coordinator
Gabriella Bein, member-at-large
Alexandra Bicks, member-at-large
Jonathan Breitzer, member-at-large
