Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Vital Signs: A Minyan Grows in Washington, D.C.
Jack Wertheimer
At first glance, the religious services of the prayer group known as the DC Minyan appear to be of the standard Orthodox type. Men and women sit in separate sections, and the order of prayer adheres strictly to the traditional Hebrew liturgy. Upon closer inspection, though, several discordant elements emerge: despite the separation of sexes, there is no physical barrier (mehitsah) between them, and responsibility for leading every aspect of the service is shared equally by women and men.
