Walnut Street Minyan 858 Walnut Street

Newton’s vibrant Jewish community, already blessed with a wide range of congregations across the spectrum of observance, is now welcoming a new neighborhood shul. The Walnut Street Minyan, an independent, traditional egalitarian community of 109 households, established in 2021 as an offshoot of the former Newton Centre Minyan, moved into its newly renovated home at 858 Walnut Street on April 5, 2023, the eve of Passover. By happy coincidence, therefore, the festival of freedom this year also marked the Minyan’s long-awaited liberation from temporary quarters. This unexpected timing meant that the community held its initial services on three consecutive days—the first two days of Passover on Thursday and Friday, followed by regular Shabbat services the next day. Turnout was robust and the congregation enthusiastic.

For the last two years the Minyan has been in transition, taking time to settle on a new permanent location and then redesigning the space. Fortunately, the community jelled with surprising speed into a more intimate, smaller-scale version of the former group, with an enhanced sense of cohesion and solidarity.

The building, a stone’s throw from Four Corners, already has a rich Jewish history. Originally, in the 1950s and 1960s, it served as a Jewish funeral home, and from 1971 to 1974 it housed Kehillath Jacob (KJ), an Orthodox congregation led by Rabbi Samuel Korff. Two current Walnut Street Minyan members attended KJ’s services and Hebrew School

As renovations proceeded, members stepped forward to form numerous committees to ensure that the space would be ready as soon as occupancy was granted. The move-in date drawing closer, additional volunteers started working on how to celebrate the moment. “Every ask was answered, every need met, every problem willingly solved. I have always taken great pride in our community’s collective spirit, but over the last year we truly outdid ourselves in resourcefulness, resilience, and dedication,” says moderator Jason Glasgow.

Given that the City of Newton authorized occupancy just before Passover, the planned inaugural celebration for members will take place immediately after the holiday.  An open house for the community at large is planned for Sunday, May 7 from 4pm to 6pm.

The Walnut Street Minyan welcomes Jews of all backgrounds who are interested in experiencing our special blend of tradition, warmth, informality, and openness. For further information contact [email protected].