1 min read
BySimon Rocker, Simon Rocker
It is less than a year-and-a-half since the UK's first openly advertised a partnership minyan, where Orthodox women could enjoy a public role in the prayer service.
Before then, such gatherings were virtually underground activities, below the rabbinic radar. But, since that first open event - held as a prelude to the Jewish Orthodox Feminist Alliance conference in summer 2013 - three regional minyans have launched across the capital, most recently in Golders Green, one of the citadels of Anglo-Jewish Orthodoxy.
The latest venture suggests they are not simply a passing fad, but part of a growing trend.
Partnership minyans have successfully taken root in other parts of the Jewish world and envious Brits have visited such congregations as Shira Hadasha in Jerusalem or Darkhei Noam in New York.
The Chief Rabbi has tried to arrest the creep of egalitarianism by making it clear that the minyans cannot be held in Orthodox synagogues.
Supporters have shown no wish to set up a rival synagogue - so far
But their supporters have noted that he has not expressly prohibited members of his flock from taking part in independent initiatives, even if he would discourage it.
So far, the minyans meet occasionally rather than as fully-fledged alternatives to their local United Synagogue.
For the time being, their supporters still want to remain part of mainstream communities and have shown no wish to set up a rival synagogue.
Local rabbis may disapprove, but they also know that partnership minyan supporters include some of their most religiously committed and educated members - which the US would not want to lose.
The demand for such services reflects the growth of Orthodox Jewish women's education.
The Talmud, once regarded as the preserve of men, is increasingly being studied by women in some modern Orthodox institutions, giving them the confidence to question traditional interpretations of rabbinic sources.
Even if the minyans may not grow fast enough to pose a direct threat to the religious establishment during Rabbi Mirvis's time in office, his successor may find that it is harder to keep them at bay.
After all, 30 years ago, women were not allowed to sit as full members of the United Synagogue council: now they can be elected as trustees of British Jewry's largest Orthodox organisation.