About Us
A wonderful spirit is alive at The Boston Synagogue (formally known as the Charles River Park Synagogue). We are a warm, small, neighborhood shul. The Synagogue is located down the street from the TD Garden & near Mass General Hospital, a quick walk from T stations on the Red, Green, & Orange lines. Click here for directions.
The Difference-- Diversity
- We take seriously our mission to serve the needs of the diverse community of Jews in downtown Boston
- We welcome people wherever they might be on their Jewish Journey – straight, LGBTQ or interfaith! A number of our congregants & at least one Rabbinical school intern has been LBGT+
- We welcome interfaith families, particularly families with children in our Hebrew School, & we work hard to make non-Jewish partners feel comfortable
A Vibrant, Participatory Community
The Boston Synagogue is the only shul located in the heart of downtown with 52-week Shabbat & Holiday Services. We strive to serve the needs of the diverse community of Jews in downtown Boston, whether through joyful participatory worship, Friday Night Dinners, Saturday morning Kiddush or Holiday celebrations, as well as with a slew of Cultural Events & other communal activities. Connect with an open & inclusive Community of friends & neighbors, including interfaith & LGBT.
The Difference -- We are non-denominational
- While we find that titles like Orthodox, Conservative & Reform are overly divisive – our services are closest to Conservative. We’re also experimenting with including more English & music for Friday night Kabbalat Shabbat & elsewhere
- As an unaffiliated, pluralistic synagogue, we can do what makes sense for our community
- We find & try to find ways to be welcoming to a broad range of Jews
Pluralistic & Engaged
We are unaffiliated — the synagogue is non-denominational egalitarian, where both women & men actively participate in services. Our services are probably closest to Conservative although we borrow elements from other movements. The Synagogue is an informal & unpretentious place where people across Jewish denominations can make their own spiritual connections.
The Boston Synagogue is a lay-led congregation. Our professional staff, which currently is in transition, has been headed by Rabbis-in-Residence, from Hebrew College, who have been with us monthly & are available for Lifecycle Events. This year, we are being supported by Rabbi Getzel Davis, a graduate of Hebrew College, who also serves at Harvard Hillel. We have also begun a search process to increase our rabbinic presence going forward.
In addition to our Rabbis, we one or more Rabbinic/Cantorial Interns from Hebrew College who lead services several Shabbats a month & are involved with our YP Community.
We also have a cadre of other Spiritual Leaders from Liberal, Conservative & Post-Denominational backgrounds who are periodically with us. Together with lay-leadership we are finding ways to make prayer & the services more meaningful & participatory.
Meaningful Jewish Learning
The Shul offers dynamic learning experiences for everyone. There are programs for Families with toddlers, a growing Hebrew School community. We can facilitate bar/bat mitzvah preparation & can assist with your upcoming simcha! We also offer a growing number of Adult Education & cultural opportunities.
Come explore gateways into Jewish life, learning, & community.
