COVID-19 Update: Due to the pandemic, we are only meeting virtually. Join our mailing list or Facebook group to get an invitation to our Zoom call (chatting+ shabbat blessings) the first Friday evening of every month.

What's a minyan?

A minyan (מנין) is a quorum of 10 Jewish adults required for certain parts of the prayer service. It's also used to refer to a prayer community. 

Why an independent minyan?

Many traditional prayer communities have a spiritual leader, a permanent space, and belong to a specific denomination. We've got none of those. Services are entirely lay-led. We're not bound to a building (or a mortgage) and can move from place to place in Seattle. We are not affiliated with a particular brand of Judaism. We make decisions based on the needs of our community. 
We also join a growing number of independent minyanim around the US -- and beyond. Find out more about the Independent Minyan Movement.

What do you mean by egalitarian?

People of all genders have the same roles in prayer and other ritual spaces and are counted in a minyan (a quorum of 10 Jewish adults). We have mixed seating for prayer services.

When do you meet?

We generally meet on the first Friday of the month and sometimes meet for an additional Friday or other events. Check our calendar for the most up-to-date schedule.

Where do you meet?

We are a wandering minyan and do not have one set place -- or even neighborhood -- where we meet. We usually meet in people's homes, often in the Central District or North End of Seattle.

What can I expect at a Friday night minyan?

Services consist of a spirited Carlebach-style Kabbalat Shabbat followed by a traditional Ma'ariv service, conducted in Hebrew. On First Fridays, we continue with a d'var torah, Shalom Aleichem, and kiddush, and then we enjoy a delicious vegetarian potluck dinner! In true Seattle fashion, meals are always full of variety and flavor. People tend to stick around for several hours, eating together, making new friends and hanging out with people they already know. And sometimes there's even singing!

Is the food at gatherings kosher?

It is our hope that Jews from different backgrounds and observances will feel comfortable sharing a meal together. In order to keep a certain level of kashrut and avoid the mixing of meat and milk, we ask that all potluck contributions be vegetarian. 
If you have questions or concerns about kashrut or the food in general, email [email protected].

How can I get involved?

That's such a great question, we've devoted an entire page of our website to answer it!

Is there a way to learn about and share community announcements? 

Join Tachlist, a community listserv for Selahniks and anyone else who would like to share and hear about Jewish community announcements. 
Want to go on a hike with some folks you met one Friday night? Looking for housing? Posting a job opportunity? Maybe you heard about an event others in the Selah community would be interested in and want to let them know about it, or you would like to keep an eye out for such events yourself. If so sign up for Tachlist!

I can't get those Shabbos tunes out of my head. How can I learn them?

For starters, just keep coming back! But if you just can't wait until the next minyan, you can download recordings. And if you're interested in leading davening but want some help brushing up, we can help if you let us know.

I've got questions that aren't answered here...help?

You've got questions? We've got answers! Nu, email us already!