Jerusalem
Welcome to our kehillah. We hope to have the opportunity to welcome you in person at Shira Hadasha.
We are attempting to create a religious community that embraces our commitment to halakhah, tefillah and feminism. This goal is an ongoing challenge. Within the context of our halakhic duty to daven, we strive to make tefillah a spiritual celebration that connects to and nurtures our religious lives as individuals and as a community.
Women and Men in Synagogue Ritual and Leadership
Shira Hadasha tries to answer the growing need of many religious women and men to readdress the role of women in the synagogue. The gap between our social and ethical values and our synagogue lives is something that we see as compromising our religious integrity.
Therefore our shul embraces as a religious value the inclusion of both men and women in leadership and ritual participation within the framework of halakhah. We have sought out the opportunities afforded by traditional Jewish sources (the Talmud, the Shulhan Arukh, reponsa) for increasing the inclusion of women in our liturgical practices. This allows the participation and leadership of women in certain parts of the prayer service: kabbalat Shabbat, Pesukei de-Zimra, the removal and replacing of the Torah in the Ark and Torah reading.
For a detailed discussion of halakhic issues our community addresses, see links to Rabbi Mendel Shapiro’s article “Qeri’at ha-Torah by Women: A Halakhic Analysis.” (See also the exchange between Rabbi Yehuda Herzl Henkin and Rabbi Shapiro). See also Rabbi Daniel Sperber’s article, “Congregational Dignity and Human Dignity: Women and Public Torah Reading.”
Mehitzah
The mehitzah (partition) in our synagogue runs down the middle of the room, so that the men’s and women’s sections are side by side. The bimah is located in the center between the men’s and women’s sections and a shtender is located on each side. Shira Hadasha has taken upon itself to begin those parts of the service that require a minyan when both ten men and ten women are present.
Singing in Tefillah
Meaningful tefillah is a challenge. Our singing in tefillah is not only about aesthetics, form or performance but rather it is our primary religious medium of avodah she-ba-lev (service of the heart). It introduces new possible realms of meaning both in the words of tefillah as well as in the meaning of the very act of davening. Music is a mode of expression which engage us in additional affective and cognitive realms of meaning. Music is a mode of expression which engages our minds and souls on a deeper level. The balance between articulating the words that contain meaning and communal singing comprises our dance of intimacy with God.Building a Kehillah
Shira Hadasha seeks to build a sense of community that is open to all of its members and guests. Every Shabbat, members of the community rotate in welcoming guests for meals in the homes of Shira Hadasha members. We provide babysitting services each week in order to enable young parents to join in the prayer service. Occasionally we organize communal meals, study sessions and evenings of prayer and song.
Services
Our minyan meets on Shabbat and festivals at the International Cultural Center for Youth at 12 Emek Refa’im Street, Jerusalem. Friday night services begin twenty minutes after candle-lighting time during the winter months and at 6:45 p.m. during Daylight Savings Time. Shaharit (the morning service) begins at 8:30 a.m.
Group Visits
Due to safety rules and regulations there is a limit to the number of people allowed in the auditorium where services take place. All groups are therefore asked to please coordinate their visit in advance. Please contact ahead of time if you wish to arrange a visit.
Friends of Shira Hadasha
Shira Hadasha was established by a small group of people a few years ago. We are grateful for the growth of our community and for the large number of visitors from all over the world. To sustain and expand our activities we need your help and financial support.
We do not receive funding from either established foundations or the government. Our minyan needs the support of many friends in order to help us continue to thrive and to acquire basic synagogue ritual items such as siddurim and sifrei Torah. Other expenses include hall rental, babysitting and security guards.
We rely solely on donations from private individuals like you. Please consider becoming a friend or patron of Shira Hadasha.
Contacts List
Coordinating Torah reading:
Coordinating Aliyot:
Coordinating “An’im Zemirot” and “Yigdal” for boys and girls:
Coordinating Kiddush:
Coordinating special events (Bat/Bar Mitzvah; Shabbat Kallah/Hatan; Brit Milah and Simhat Bat) -- contact both ahead of time:
- For the coordination of Torah reading:
Mennie Pilzer - For the coordination of the event:
Hesed and Tzedakah Committee
Coordinating support, meals etc. (after birth, illness or mourning):
For additional information, please contact: