About Us
A warm & inclusive Conservative synagogue in Boston, focused on inspiring prayer and engaged learning for all ages.
Rooted in tradition and innovative in practice, Congregation Kehillath Israel (KI) sits at the inclusive center of Jewish religious and ideological life in Brookline, Massachusetts — a community that actively embraces individuals, one another, and the wider world.
With more than a century as a leading voice in North American Jewish life, we’re building toward our next hundred years through meaningful partnerships with organizations like Congregation Mishkan Tefila, Yachad (the National Jewish Council for Disabilities), 2Life Communities, and Center Makor, the Russian Jewish Educational Center, among many others.
At KI, we’re working to build a place where everyone belongs and where relationships take root and grow over time. Jewish communal life isn’t something you dip into once in a while — it’s an ongoing, living connection, and we want KI to be part of yours.
Our History
Congregation Kehillath Israel began in 1911 in the Brookline home of Mr. A. Matz, who wanted to gather a minyan to say Kaddish for his mother. What started as a small gathering in his living room grew steadily over the following years, formalizing in 1915 with 36 members.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts granted the synagogue its charter in 1917, and land was soon purchased in Brookline for a synagogue and Hebrew school. The first High Holy Day services were held in 1924, and in 1925 the building was formally dedicated, with Rabbi Louis M. Epstein installed as its first rabbi.
For our Centennial, we compiled a book of essays and photographs celebrating our story, titled Kehillath Israel: The First 100 Years.
Our Future
As we approached our 100th anniversary, our community turned inward to ask who we had been, who we were becoming, and who we hoped to be for the next century.
That reflection began with a series of house parties and grew into focus groups held right at the shul, where we explored what KI means to its members, named our core strengths, and took an honest look at where we could do better. When the Pew Research Center published its landmark study, A Portrait of Jewish Americans, we wove its questions into our own conversations, returning again and again to one guiding question: what should a synagogue be for the next 100 years?
The answer became KI Next — a complete restoration and renewal of our building, paired with the innovative partnership model that continues to shape our community today.
Visit/Tour
Whether you’d like to tour our building or join us for services and celebrations, you are always welcome at KI.
Service times are listed on our homepage, and events are posted on our calendar. If you’re joining us for services, introduce yourself to one of our greeters — they’ll make sure you feel at home and can answer any questions along the way.
If you’d like to schedule a tour, call the main office at 617-277-9155 or send us an email. If you’d like to speak with one of our rabbis, the main office can connect you, or you’re welcome to reach out to Rabbi Hamilton directly.
Host Your Event at KI
Many of our beautiful spaces, including our Sanctuary, Social Hall, and a variety of smaller rooms, are available to rent for weddings, celebrations, lectures, performances, and community gatherings of every kind. Visit our Facility Rentals page to learn more about our spaces and start planning your event. See our spaces here.
Contact Us
Address: Congregation Kehillath Israel
384 Harvard Street, Brookline, MA 02446
Phone: (617) 277-9155
Office Hours: Monday–Thursday, 9:00 am–5:00 pm | Friday, 9:00 am–2:00 pm
Have a general question? Email mainoffice@CongKI.org
Want to speak with clergy? Email Rabbi Hamilton
Curious about our spaces? Visit our Facility Rentals Page
Want to learn more about KI and Membership? Use the form below or view our Belonging @ KI Page
