Congregation Shaarei Tefillah

I prayed here on a shabbat morning several years ago, when I was involved with someone who had family in the area. The building itself is fairly modern, as is the congregation itself. There’s a more right wing Modern Orthodox shul across the street. This congregation is a magnet for the scholarly and academicians of all sorts pray here, people you wouldn’t think Orthodox after reading their scholarly works, which in many cases border on the heretical. However, where else can you say that Dr. Jonathan Sarna davens in front you in shul? Yes, the undisputed dean and heavyweight of American Jewish history was praying in the row in front of mine. The rabbi is scholarly and rather progressive for an Orthodox rabbi in many ways. However, I felt that in order to be a member here, you probably need at least three post-​secondary degrees. They seem to be pretty heavy on congregant participation, and the rabbi seems more of a facilitator of people’s religious growth, rather than a hegemonic influence, which is a model of leadership that needs to be explored in other milieus. Congregants seem very knowledgeable and empowered, as a result. The kiddush on that particular shabbos was in order of Yom haAtzmaut, the Israeli Independence Day, and there were lots of Israeli salads and fresh vegetables on display. You can tell it’s a Modern shul when there are healthy offerings on display, and not just the typical heavy, oil-​laden, starchy foods, such as kishke and cholent.