Independent Jewish Congregation Moving To Newton Four Corners

NEWTON, MA — The newly named Walnut Street Minyan, an independent, traditional, egalitarian Jewish congregation that operates on a lay-led, volunteer basis, has received a special permit from the City of Newton to become the tenant at 858 Walnut Street in Newton Centre.

The move marks the first time the 110-household community will have its own home, rather than sharing space with another religious institution.

Walnut Street Minyan members fill all the required ritual roles, organize educational and social events, and keep Shabbat and holiday services running smoothly. The Minyan is not affiliated with any Jewish religious denomination and draws its congregants from a wide spectrum of Jewish practice. Among its members are numerous rabbis, Judaic scholars and educators, and people from many other walks of life.

“We’re delighted to have found a wonderful site in a great location,” moderator Rhoda Grill said in a statement. “We see this move as a unique opportunity for us to thrive, and we look forward to being a good neighbor in our new community.”

The Walnut Street Minyan is an offshoot of the former Newton Centre Minyan (NCM), which was founded over 40 years ago and held services at Hebrew College for almost 20 years. When the college sold its Newton Centre campus in 2018, NCM searched for an alternative rental space, but when none was found that was acceptable to all of its members, the congregation ultimately voted to split.

Early in 2021, 60 percent of NCM members chose to become what is now the Walnut Street Minyan, while the rest opted to join Temple Emanuel and hold independent services there.

Following unsuccessful negotiations with a few other sites, the congregation secured a lease at 858 Walnut Street, a building where Shabbat services were held regularly in the 1950s and 1960s, in February 2022.

“Our search process had many ups and downs, but now at last we can look forward to expanding our programming, in addition to continuing our spirited Shabbat and holiday services,” Grill said.

Renovation of the space is set to begin soon, with occupancy expected in fall 2022. For more information, contact Deborah Fogel at deborah@fogels.org.