This weekend we reached 6 years of the Shema Koleinu women’s service. Shema Koleinu translates to “hear our voice”. It’s a plea from the Amidah that is familiar to some and quietly resonates with many. It reflects what our service is, ’a space where women’s voices are heard and carried back into the community, stronger and more confident than before’.
Shema Koleinu follows the familiar pattern of a typical Shabbat morning. We pray and sing together, read the parashah (albeit from a chumash), haftarah and move through the service in much the same way as in the main shul. And, we follow it all with a big kiddush! The difference is that the service is led by women and girls, and we omit the parts that require a minyan.
At its core, Shema Koleinu is built on four principles: inclusion, expression, inspiration, and education. In any one service, more than twenty women and girls may actively lead; from pesukei d’zimra and shacharit, to leining, haftarah, prayers for the community, musaf, and often a young girl proudly leading anim zemirot.
In regular services, women are aware of the limits to how much we can contribute. Our voices are quieter, available roles are fewer, and our active participation is restricted. Shema Koleinu grew out of a wish to create a Shabbat morning service in which women are fully involved throughout, and that involvement feels normal rather than exceptional.
Today, Shema Koleinu is established at both BES sites, running several times a year. It continues to grow and respond to the needs and wants of the community. Some women are trying things for the first time; others are returning to parts they have perfected over the years. Some women enjoy watching other women lead, but don’t want to do it themselves. Women are marking special events, whether it’s a relative’s yahrzeit, bar/bat mitzvah, birthday, anniversary, graduation, or even moving to Israel. A mix of ages, experiences and personal moments gives our service warmth and vibrancy. For girls, seeing this happen regularly, shapes what feels possible. It helps them as they grow in their identity to see that women’s voices also belong at the heart of shul life.
Education matters. Women give Divrei Torah, bringing their own perspectives and understanding of Judaism. ‘Discover Leining’ also grew from the wishes of those present and has enabled many women to develop skills and knowledge they now use to connect to all services. Rabbinic support is widespread from across British Modern Orthodoxy, with encouragement and reflection offered in a personal way, via short written messages at each service.
As Shema Koleinu continues to develop, there is space for others to get involved. That might mean helping shape the service, supporting the learning, or joining the organising committee that guides its future. Much of what exists today has come from women stepping forward when they felt ready, and we hope that continues.
Whether you come regularly, occasionally, or are simply curious, Shema Koleinu is a Shabbat morning service where we hear women’s voices together, and where many voices combine to create something beautiful and lasting. We hope those of you who can join will give us a try!
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To find out more, please get in touch: shemakoleinu@borehamwoodshul.org
Interested in taking part, please join our WhatsApp Group: onebes.uk/waShemaKoleinu
Voices from Shema Koleinu
“I don’t think I’d ever heard the women’s bracha said aloud in shul before. Being able to answer amen to it made me feel honoured and relevant.”
“When I think about the significant events in my life where I felt really connected to my Judaism, Shema Koleinu is at the forefront. Four times a year, I challenge myself to learn and participate in the leining. Every time I do, it heals the little girl inside me who sat in shul, feeling frustrated and like an outsider because she didn’t understand the service.”
“Seeing women and girls leading a service is inspiring and special”
“In main shul I feel engaged, but also very much an observer behind the mechitza. Here, I’m part of what’s happening.”
“I didn’t expect how meaningful it would be to grow into this over time. It didn’t happen all at once.”
“I was nervous about leading something, but I felt supported and not shy or embarrassed.”
“It’s powerful in an understated way. Women and girls are just doing the service, and that’s the point.”
“I didn’t think I’d ever get to hear my daughter do anim zemirot – it was fun to teach and she was really proud to show off her certificate to everyone”