Sunday's Orthodox service in London, where women will be called up to the Torah with men and both will read from it, is significant. Partnership minyans are growing in Israel and the US, most famously the Shira Hadasha community in Jerusalem where a number of British olim regularly pray.
But Sunday's is the first to be held here openly, although they have taken place privately below the radar for several years. But this will surely not be a one-off. As women increase their Jewish education, so will their demand for greater religious participation. Sooner or later the next Chief Rabbi, Ephraim Mirvis, will have to decide whether to give such initiatives his blessing.
