Weekday Minyan

Whether you are in mourning, observing a yahrzeit, celebrating a birthday, or simply looking for morning tefillah,
you are welcome to be part of  our growing and vibrant minyan family. You’re welcome to join us in person or via Zoom—email info@betheldurham.org at least 24 hours in advance for the link, and follow along using the service outline and siddur below.

Minyan service outline

Weekday Siddur

Our Core Mission: 

• Providing a quorum: Certain prayers, such as Kaddish, require a minyan. This is especially meaningful for those in mourning or observing a yahrzeit.

• Weekday Tefillah: Daily prayer opportunities to support your spiritual practice.

Beyond Prayer – Building Community:

Our minyanim foster a sense of belonging, shared experiences, and friendships within the Jewish community. Participants can enjoy a light snack before engaging in lively study sessions, and there are opportunities to deepen their knowledge through Parsha and Mishnah studies. 

Schedule:

Wednesday mornings: 8:00 AM (7:45 AM on Rosh Chodesh), followed by Mishnah study from 8:50–9:30 AM.

Thursday mornings: 7:00 AM on 1/8, 1/15, 1/22, and 1/29. As this is a new initiative, we will be tracking attendance at the start. If you can commit to attending in January, please sign up here!

Thursday evenings (Ma’ariv minyan): 6:40 PM, prior to Rabbi Greyber’s Talmud class. Minyan takes place only on class dates. Winter/Spring class and minyan dates: 1/15, 1/22, 2/5, 2/19, 3/5, 3/12, 3/19.

Questions? Email ritual@betheldurham.org

What is a Minyan?

A minyan is a quorum of ten Jewish adults required for certain religious obligations. The term comes from the Hebrew root maneh (מנה), meaning “to count.”

While individual prayer is always allowed, communal prayer fosters connection and deeper focus. Requiring a minyan for key rituals strengthens Jewish communal life.

A minyan is needed for parts of daily and Shabbat services (such as Barechu, Kedushah, and the repetition of the Amidah), Torah and haftarah readings, and reciting Kaddish, which mourners say for 11 months after a loss. It’s also required for Sheva Berachot (wedding blessings), Birkat Kohanim (priestly blessing), and Birkat HaGomel (thanksgiving after danger).

Only adult Jews count in a minyan—those who have reached B'Mitzvah age. At Beth El, this means age 13 for everyone.  A ceremony is not required, just the appropriate age.