Temple Beth Shalom (aka Tremont Street Shul)

Address: 8 Tremont Street, Cambridge, MA 02139

Years Active: 1962–Present

Tradition: Judaism (Traditional Egalitarian, Orthodox, Partnership)

Temple Beth Shalom (also known as TBS or Tremont Street Shul) is a Cambridge-based synagogue. TBS was founded in 1962 at the merger of Anshai Ashkenaz and Congregation Beth Israel. According to the TBS website, its mission is “to cultivate a spiritual home for Jews who are looking for a traditionally Jewish and socially inclusive community.” TBS encompasses three minyanim (prayer groups of 10 or more individuals, traditionally men) for Shabbat, Holiday, and weekday services. 

The most attended  of these is the traditional egalitarian (often shortened to “egal”)  minyan, which typically meets in the main sanctuary. The egal minyan follows the traditional liturgy and halacha (Jewish law) for services, while also allowing individuals of all genders to count for a minyan and participate fully in services. The minyan is lay-led, and individuals of all genders and sexualities may lead services, read from the Torah, and have honors. Honors in the Shabbat service include being called up to bless the Torah, lift and dress the Torah, and open and close the Ark. According to community member interview, individuals called to the Torah are called up using gender neutral language as default, as opposed to the typical gendered language used for congregants in that instance. 

In addition, there is an Orthodox minyan (often referred to as “trad”) which also follows traditional liturgy and halacha while incorporating a mechitza (a physical divider between men and women) and only allowing men to lead services, read Torah, and have honors. While this minyan is gender segregated, according to community interviews, trans community members may sit on whichever side of the sanctuary is most comfortable for them. Additionally, there is a Partnership minyan (which does not occur every week), which retains the mechitza and traditional liturgy, while allowing women to lead services and read from the Torah. 

In 2026, the Tremont Street Shul’s motto remains “come more often, bring more friends.” 

Sources and Further Information

https://www.tremontstreetshul.org/about-us

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Ybz0FEqVl5GwgAcSLkHOF89BXS6A7K6Q A digitized version of the Golden Book of Congregation Beth Israel, later incorporated into Temple Beth Shalom 

Interview with Board Member

Interview with Board VP Linda Kasten

Entry written by Dalya Lessem Elnecave in July 2026.