[1][6][7] Shaarei Tefillah was founded in December 1983 by dissident members of Newton's other major Orthodox synagogue, Congregation Beth-El Atereth Israel.

[2] The synagogue initially met in the living rooms of the homes of its members, and in a church gymnasium.

[2][8][9] In 1985, the congregation proposed locating the synagogue in a private house at 841 Commonwealth Avenue.

They bought the property in 1984 for $165,000 and sought a zoning variance that would allow them to open a synagogue there in spite of there not being adequate parking.

[1] The Jewish Orthodox Feminist Alliance (JOFA) honors on its Wall of Honor, for being women Presidents of Orthodox synagogues, the following past presidents of Shaarei Tefillah: Brenda Katz (1992–94), Lisa Micley (1999–2001), and Nancy Kolodny, former Dean of Wellesley College (2001–03).