About Darkhei Noam
Darkhei Noam is a large and vibrant community that meets weekly on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. We are currently one of the largest partnership minyanim in the world, committed to creating a tefillah atmosphere that is halakhic, spiritual and inclusive - providing opportunities for women to lead many of its portions and participate fully in the Torah service. In addition to services every Friday night, Shabbat morning, and holiday morning, we offer a range of youth services, educational programs, and other community initiatives.
History and Vision
Darkhei Noam was founded in March 2002 by four individuals who were inspired by Drisha’s high holiday minyan and encouraged by the publication in the Edah Journal of Mendel Shapiro’s halakhic analysis of mixed Torah reading. From its inception, the vision for Darkhei Noam has been the creation of a minyan and community centered around inclusivity and meaningful prayer. As such, women take on active roles in the ritual life of the minyan within the bounds of halakha. Darkhei Noam strives to provide a place where all who come to pray are active participants; where the voices of davening come not just from the leaders of tefillah, but from both sides of the mechitza as well; where public space is shared by men and women; and where the intrinsic value of each individual is recognized.
Several founders of Jerusalem’s Shira Chadasha minyan gave guidance and advice to Darkhei Noam in its early stages. Initially, Darkhei Noam met on a monthly basis at Rodeph Shalom, which provided not only a space to daven but also moral support to the fledgling Darkhei Noam community. As the community grew and began meeting more frequently, Darkhei Noam was welcomed warmly by the Heschel Lower School to use its building, which provides a larger space for davening and space for childcare and youth programming.
Darkhei Noam strives to provide a warm, welcoming atmosphere as well as a meaningful, inspiring, participatory prayer experience filled with communal singing as well as space for personal prayer. In order to help achieve these goals, we ask that adults refrain from talking during services and help maintain an ambiance conducive to spirited and serious prayer.
Leadership
Since its foundation, Darkhei Noam has been a lay-led minyan – the community supplies the leadership from within and helps to set the direction of the minyan. Members of the Darkhei Noam community are invited and encouraged to participate in and contribute towards all aspects of the running of the minyan, from leading davening or leining to coordinating youth programs to giving a text study to planning special events.
Darkhei Noam is led by two co-chairs, an executive committee, and an active, hands-on board. The board represents the diversity of its community with board members from various age groups and from a variety of religious and professional backgrounds.
In 2006, Rabbi Daniel Sperber joined the Darkhei Noam community in an official capacity as halakhic adviser. Rabbi Sperber is the Milan Roven Professor of Talmudic Research at Bar Ilan University and rabbi of congregation Menachem Zion in the Old City of Jerusalem. He received the Israel Prize in 1992, authored “Minhagei Yisrael,” and has done extensive research and writing on the topic of women’s roles within the bounds of halakha. In his capacity as Darkhei Noam’s halakhic adviser, the co-chairs, board, and gabbaim turn to Rabbi Sperber for halakhic guidance. Rabbi Sperber gives extended text studies and shiurim, davens with the Darkhei Noam community, and makes himself available to the community on both a formal and informal basis on his many visits to New York.
Mon, May 29 2023
9 Sivan 5783
Support Darkhei Noam
Friday Night
Kabbalat Shabbat : 7:00pm |
Candle Lighting : 8:04pm |
Shabbat Day
Shacharit : 9:15am |
Havdalah : 9:04pm |
Upcoming Programs & Events
May 30 Dvar Torah Workshop Tuesday, May 30 8:00pm |
This week's Torah portion is Parshat Nasso
Shabbat, Jun 3 |
Volunteers to lead Services!
If you would like to volunteer to lead services, read from the Torah or give a Dvar Torah, please use our Leaders Form!
Join DN's Caring Community Volunteers
If you would like to volunteer with our Caring Community and help our community members -- including hospitality, supporting sick congregants and providing meals for new families -- fill out our Volunteer Form!
join Darkhei Noam on whatsapp
DN Chesed will be used to connect the community and alert members to volunteering opportunities.
Need a laugh? You'll find jokes, videos, memes and more at DN Comic Relief.
If you identify as a "Young Professional" in the Darkhei Noam community and are interested in connecting with others, join the newly formed Darkhei Noam YPs Whatsapp Group!
Are you a Tot Tefillah parent or do you want to start attending? Join the Tot Tefillah WhatsApp group to be in the know.
Pride at Darkhei Noam welcomes all LGBTQ+ members of DN to our group. We look forward to having exciting programming including social gatherings, educational events, and Chesed opportunities.
Email info@dnoam.org to request the sign-up links.