Congregation Shaarei Tefillah
Women's Tefillah Group

What is the Women's Tefillah Group?

The Women's Tefillah Group (WTG) of Congregation Shaarei Tefillah has gathered monthly since 1992 to daven and learn together. The WTG operates under the halakhic guidance of Rabbi Samuels, and builds upon the halakhic guidelines set by the shul's founding board of halakhic advisors. The WTG grew out of the shul's annual women's Torah reading on Simchat Torah, which began in 1985. In 1992 the group began to meet on Rosh Chodesh and in 1994, under the guidance of Rabbi Simkovich, began to meet for minchah each Shabbat Mevarchim Rosh Chodesh, in place of meeting on Rosh Chodesh itself. In 1997, the WTG was established as a standing committee of the shul with representation on the shul's Board.

When does the WTG meet?

In addition to Simchat Torah, the WTG meets regularly for minchah on Shabbat Mevarchim HaChodesh, one hour before the main minchah service (during EDT, two hours before). The WTG organized a Purim morning megillah reading for the first time in 1997 and will meet for Shabbat Shacharit twice in each of the next two years.

Who participates in the WTG?

On a Shabbat Mevarchim, anywhere from 30 to 60 women and girls participate. The annual Torah reading on Simchat Torah draws nearly 100 adult members of the shul.

What happens at the WTG on Shabbat Mevarchim?

On Shabbat Mevarchim, the women daven the parts of the minchah service which individuals may recite. Thus, the kaddish, barechu, chazarat hashatz, and kedushah are omitted. As part of the study of Torah, the women leyn the appropriate parasha for minchah, with three women called up for aliyot. Women who are scheduled to have aliyot on a particular Shabbat defer saying the Birchot HaTorah ­ normally said in the morning ­ until the afternoon. At the davening, one of the women gives a D'var Torah.

What does the WTG mean to its participants?

All the participants value the experience of davening and learning as a group of women. Participants value the WTG for a wide variety of additional reasons, including the opportunities it provides for learning the nusach of the davening, learning Torah trop, singing together, and giving and hearing Divrei Torah.

The WTG is a setting in which many women have found it meaningful to personally mark life cycle events, such as the birth of a baby, a Bat Mitzvah, an upcoming marriage, or a yahrzeit. Often, family members share in these celebrations. Women mark these occasions by leyning, having an aliyah, delivering a D'var Torah, or leading the davening. Girls may celebrate a Bat Mitzvah at Shabbat Mevarchim minchah or any other Shabbat minchah. Celebration of a Bat Mitzvah at Shabbat minchah has been particularly fulfilling for many Shaarei Tefillah families.

Please contact our Gabbait, Abby Wyschogrod or Ruth Langer for more information.

Shabbatot Mevarchim

5757

Shabbat Mevarchim Tammuz June 28, 1997
Shabbat Mevarchim Av August 2, 1997
Shabbat Mevarchim Elul August 30, 1997

5758

Shabbat Mevarchim Heshvan October 25, 1997
Shabbat Mevarchim Kislev November 29, 1997
Shabbat Mevarchim Tevet December 27, 1997
Shabbat Mevarchim Shevat January 24, 1998
Shabbat Mevarchim Adar February 21, 1998
Shabbat Mevarchim Nisan March 21, 1998
Shabbat Mevarchim Iyar April 25, 1998
Shabbat Mevarchim Sivan May 23, 1998
Shabbat Mevarchim Tammuz June 20, 1998
Shabbat Mevarchim Av July 18, 1998
Shabbat Mevarchim Elul August 15, 1998

Suggested Resources

Women at Prayer: A Halakhic Analysis of Women's Prayer Groups, Rabbi Avraham Weiss, Ktav Publishing House, 1989.

Women, Jewish Law, and Modernity: New Opportunities in a Post-Feminist Age, Joel B. Wolowelsky, Ktav Publishing House, 1997.

Jewish Women in Time and Torah, Rabbi Eliezer Berkowitz, Ktav Publishing House, 1990.

COMMITTEE PAGE

Back to Homepage


Last Update: 7.4.97
Webmasters: Andrew and Heather Greene.
Copyright © 1997 Congregation Shaarei Tefillah. All rights reserved.