By, Josh Jackman
2 min read
ByJosh Jackman, Josh Jackman
It has been a year since Orthodox men and women in London came together for a new, experimental type of service, one in which women leyn and lead certain parts of tefillah while still considering their practices halachically acceptable.
The founders of the partnership minyan in the UK - who started services at Borehamwood and Hampstead - have hailed the progress made so far in "an absolutely amazing year."
JC columnist Miriam Shaviv, who helped to set up the minyan in Borehamwood, said it has been "an overarching success" which has provided "a really rewarding, enriching experience for everyone involved".
Ms Shaviv said the minyan, which has a regular attendance of 80 people split evenly down gender lines, has "had two things which have made it a success.
"The first is giving women who want to become more involved in Orthodox services the opportunity to do so. The second is that we've had a massive emphasis on beautiful davening, whether you're a man or woman."
They have very quickly become part of the landscape of Orthodoxy
She said the congregation had chosen to name itself Kehillat Nashirah - the "singing community" - because just as important as getting women more involved was "creating a spiritual and inspiring davening experience.
"It's not just about rethinking the role of women, it's about rethinking what we want from the community and from a prayer experience. That's part of the secret of its success."
Partnership Minyan, a global movement started by Jewish Orthodox Feminist Alliance in the United States, has, according to Ms Shaviv, "very quickly become part of the landscape" of British Orthodox Judaism.
Dr Miri Freud-Kandel started the minyan in Hampstead last winter. She said that independent minyans were not typical in Britain where institutions were dominant, but "they have growing appeal among British Jews."
Dr Freud-Kandel, who is a lecturer at Oxford University, said: "We have 30 to 50 people attending our Friday-night services, which are at least once a month.
"The atmosphere is absolutely wonderful. It's much more intimate than a bigger shul, and those who attend are pretty consistently taken by how special the services are. They enjoy the opportunity to feel heard, to daven, to sing."
She emphasised the importance of discussing women's roles in Orthodox Judaism.
"It is absolutely pivotal in determining the future direction of Orthodoxy in the face of what is a male-dominated environment".
The growth of the minyans has met with opposition from members of the United Synagogue who prefer a more traditional approach.
Rabbi Moshe Freedman, of Northwood United Synagogue, said partnership minyan did not follow halachah. They had had "absolutely no effect whatsoever on the Jewish community" he believed. They aren't halachically sound.
"We welcome new ideas and opportunities for people to connect to their Judaism, but they have to be halachic. We have to draw that line. I don't think that's a contentious view at all. It's quite obvious that they fall outside the boundaries of halachah."
Borehamwood, Hampstead and the new Golders Green minyan are in the process of co-ordinating their first joint event.
Judy Klitsner, a senior lecturer at Jerusalem's Pardes Institute for Jewish Studies, will come to speak to the congregations, in an event which Dr Freud-Kandel has said is "precisely designed to recognise the community across London".
