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Welcome to Minyan Dorshei Derekh
Please join us on Saturday, September 11, for the Stefan Presser Memorial Social Justice Shabbat. This year, we will be talking abotu "Jewish Responsibility in the Current Immigration Debate" with Judith Bernstein-Baker and Frances Kreimer. [details]
We are happy to welcome you to our community. We are a dynamic, progressive, inclusive, and warm worshipping community. Our minyan is home to people of many different backgrounds, reflecting the rich diversity of Northwest Philadelphia and beyond.
Minyan Dorshei Derekh ("Seekers of a Way") is one of the three adult davening (prayer) groups that meet on Shabbat morning at GJC. We meet in the Maslow Auditorium on the second floor of the school building. Shabbat services begin at 10:00 am and conclude with a Kiddush/schmooze around 12:30 pm. We are a vibrant intergenerational, child-friendly minyan. Also, for your convenience, during the school year GJC provides child care and children's services. As part of GJC, we are an affiliate of the United Synagogue for Conservative Judaism. Dorshei Derekh is also an affiliate of the Jewish Reconstructionist Federation. Davening
Dorshei Derekh prizes a joyous, participatory, egalitarian style of davening. While our davening has continued to evolve since the minyan began, what remains constant is our reliance on the talents, energies, and perspectives of our members. We particularly appreciate the contributions of new members, who bring their own traditions and innovations to our community.
Generally, you'll find that:
- We use Kol Haneshamah, the Reconstructionist siddur (which many members of our minyan helped to create).
- The first half of our service is enhanced by lively singing, often accompanied by rhythm instruments.
- We read Torah on a triennial Torah cycle, divided into 3 Aliyot.
- Members volunteer to give a D'var Torah/discussion that is text-based, creative, and intellectually stimulating, encouraging a lively response.
- We experiment with Haftarot, occasionally featuring alternative readings.
- Our "Musaf" takes the form of creative reading; however, we encourage those who daven traditionally to do so individually.
We rely on the educational, liturgical, and organizational contributions of our members to keep our minyan running. We encourage our members to keep learning and sharing new skills, and we conduct periodic classes for those interested in broadening their participation.
Membership
For minyan membership information, download this form. To be a full member of Dorshei Derekh and vote at our quarterly meetings, membership at Germantown Jewish Centre is required.
Service Times
We meet on Saturday mornings and on the following holidays: Rosh Hashanah (both days), Yom Kippur, Sukkot (first day), Erev Simchat Torah, Shmini Atzeret/Simchat Torah, Purim Eve, and Pesach (first and seventh days).
We do not celebrate the second and eighth days of Yom Tov as a community.
We have joint davening with the other GJC minyanim for:
- Kabbalat Shabbat (Friday evening services)
- Erev Rosh Hashanah
- Kol Nidre
- Charry Scholar-in-Residence Weekend
- Occasional celebrations of Bar and Bat Mitzvahs and special events
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For a history of Dorshei Derekh, check out the minyan's Wikipedia entry.
Guidelines for Sponsoring a Dorshei Derekh Kiddush
A Sample Kiddush Menu
Dorshei Derekh Service Guidelines — Required Components
Dorshei Derekh Service Guidelines — Typical Service |
