Chief Rabbi Mirvis stands firm on partnership minyanim

The Chief Rabbi added that his letter was a response to “the persistent and harmful attention the issue has received over recent weeks”.

Last week, the JC reported that members of the Borehamwood partnership minyan were being excluded by Borehamwood and Elstree Synagogue (BES).

One of the PM’s founders said her teaching position at the shul had been cancelled due to her role in the group.

Another participant claimed his application to lead High Holy Day prayers had been rejected, and that he had been told that “because I have led services at the partnership minyan, it was not appropriate for me to lead High Holy Day services at shul.”

Last Friday, Rabbi Chaim Kanterovitz, minister at BES, sent a letter to congregants calling partnership minyanim “a breach of Jewish law”.

He said it was “simply not the case” that such services were “modern Orthodox and halachic”.

He believed those involved in PMs were “well-meaning and, in the main, seek closeness to Hashem and spiritual upliftment”, and he hoped “that they do attend our shul and feel welcomed and appreciated.

“Nonetheless,” he said, “there are halachic limitations which I have put in place, which I, together with the honorary officers, feel are appropriate for these circumstances.”

The Chief Rabbi’s letter confirmed: “It is for the marah d’atra [local religious authority] to consider how best to manage local considerations, as Rabbi Chaim Kanterovitz has recently done.”

The full text of the letter read:

Dear Rabbanim and Rebbetzens,

Around six years ago, as the Rabbi of Finchley Synagogue, I became aware that a ‘partnership minyan’ had begun running monthly on Friday nights in a number of local homes. I was, of course, troubled by the news, as it has always been my view that such services are not halachically sound - but the organisers were relatively discreet. They were in no doubt about what my view of their minyan would be and neither they, nor I had any wish to create public discord which would likely have had negative consequences for the unity of the kehilla. Then, as now, I have every respect for participants of such services, who are cherished members of our communities.

In more recent years, however, the sustained, public campaign by some proponents of ‘partnership minyanim’ has necessitated a response. Even then, as Chief Rabbi, I have purposefully not said any more than I believe to be strictly necessary on the matter - that these services are contrary to halacha and should not take place under the auspices of any of our United Hebrew Congregations. As you are aware, I have made this view clear on a number of occasions, both in public and in private.

Regrettably, I now find it necessary to return to the issue of ‘partnership minyanim’ because of the persistent and harmful attention it has received over recent weeks. I do so only out of a desire for us to move beyond the damaging and often inaccurate conjecture that has characterised much of the discussions arising out of that attention.

You will already be aware of the various arguments on this issue. The view that ‘partnership minyanim’ are not permitted according to halacha is one that is shared by every major posek in the Orthodox world and it is binding on our communities. As I have previously stated, that does not mean to say that participation in a ‘partnership minyan’ should, in and of itself, preclude a person from assuming particular roles or responsibilities in our communities. Nor should it take away from our responsibility to welcome every Jew with open arms. Indeed, many of those participating in ‘partnership minyanim’ are among our most engaged and valued congregants. It is, of course, for the Marah D’atra to consider how best to manage local considerations as Rabbi Chaim Kanterovitz has recently done at Borehamwood and Elstree United Synagogue. As ever, I am available to you should you wish to discuss any issues with me.

One of the proudest moments of my Chief Rabbinate took place on Tuesday 20 September. Launching the Maayan Programme, I stood in front of ten outstanding female scholars, who, in 2018 will qualify to become educational leaders in our communities. This ground-breaking initiative, with the full support of the London Beth Din, is set to make a significant impact on the landscape of Anglo Jewry.

Only a few years ago this would not have seemed possible. Women are now trustees of the United Synagogue and Chairs of congregations. They are encouraged to deliver divrei Torah in shul and to recite kaddish if they so wish. We are introducing opportunities for meaningful Batmitzvah celebrations and communities are responding warmly when I raise with them the importance of inclusivity in the positioning of the ezrat nashim. Whilst areas of disagreement will always attract more headlines, this should not distract us from the progress we are making.

There is more we can do and we must work together to ensure that, for example, the opportunities for women to learn and teach Torah are just as readily available as for men. Torah literate and educationally engaged communities will ensure our successful and vibrant future.

I feel a deep responsibility to safeguard the religious identity of our United Hebrew Congregations, which I know you share. It is inevitable that some will feel that we are going too far while others will be of the view that we are not going far enough. Let the discussion be l’shem Shamayim – healthy, constructive and respectful – and let us all engage in it with ahavat Yisrael.

With my warmest personal regards,

Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis