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Kehillat Mayanot
Celebrating 20 Years of Community
"הַמְשַׁלֵּחַ
מַעְיָנִים
בַּנְּחָלִים
בֵּין
הָרִים
יְהַלֵּכוּן"
(תהלים
ק"ד
י)
He sends the springs into the valleys;
they flow between the hills. (Psalms 104:10)
Kehillat Mayanot,
the first traditional, egalitarian minyan in Jerusalem, was founded in
1988 on the principles of equality, tradition, and social
responsibility. From its earliest days, Mayanot emphasized the
centrality of group responsibility, a commitment which found
expression in the organizational structure of the community and in the
participatory nature of its services and Divrei Torah. Fully
egalitarian, both men and women take turns participating in and
coordinating services and delivering Divrei Torah, with a rabbi who
coordinates the activities.
Beginning with a small but dedicated group of worshipers who struggled
each week to find a quorum for Shabbat services, the congregation soon
become known for its lively tefillot, its highly participatory
structure, the high quality of its Divrei Torah, and the seriousness
of its commitment to both egalitarianism and halacha. The congregation
began to attract people from a variety of backgrounds.
Today, we are approximately 40 families made up of Ashkenazim and
Sephardim; singles, families, and seniors; native Israelis and olim
from North and South America, France, England, Germany, and Hungary.
Our activities include Shabbat services, study sessions and seminars,
children’s services, weekend retreats, holiday services, and
activities for Yom Ha’Atzmaut, Lag B’Omer, and other holidays.
Tefillot
Shabbat morning services start at 9:00, followed by Kiddush.
Children
Mayanot is truly blessed with many children who add to the joyous and
lively atmosphere of the kehillah (community) and tefillot (services).
Children are encouraged to sit with the adults during tefillot and to
take roles, such as Ashrei and Shir HaKavod.
Every Shabbat morning there are Noam – Noar Masorti (Masorti/Conservative
Youth) - activities for the school age children, led by Noam
counselors. And there are Tefillat Yeladim (Children’s
Services) for younger children. The children learn some of the prayers
and their meanings and are encouraged to discuss them.
Home Hospitality
As Avraham did when he welcomed the three angels into his tent,
Mayanot puts a strong emphasis on hachnasat orhim (hospitality).
Members of the kehillah welcome into their homes for Shabbat and
holiday meals visitors, new members, and veteran members, groups and
individuals. We would love to get to know you and for you to get to
know us. Hospitality can be arranged on the spot after services or in
advance by contacting us.
Celebration
During the year, Mayanot is privileged to celebrate many life-cycle
events with our members, including Bar/Bat-Mitzvah, Simhat Bat/Brit
Milah, Shabbat Hatan v’Kallah (aufrauf), etc and invite members of the
greater community in Israel and from abroad to join us and celebrate
their smachot with us, as well. Members of the community are available
to help with the preparations, including teaching how to read Torah
and Haftorah and preparing a D’var Torah
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