Rating: Friday Night 4/5, Saturday Morning 5/5.
Shira Hadasha is an Orthodox, Feminist Congregation in Jerusalem located at 12 Emek Refaim Street. Services every Friday night and Saturday mornings from 8:30–11:30 AM. The mechitza is arranged left-right with women participating in leading services and reading Torah.
Friday Night: The service followed a Carlebach style format with congregants singing beautiful harmonies from both sides of the mechitza. The room felt too large for an optimal prayer experience and despite some community members eager to increase energy, the gathering just didn’t get there in terms of spiritual intensity.
Saturday Morning: More energetic and successful. The service leader possessed a beautiful voice, enhancing congregational singing and harmonies. A highlight was a Bat Mitzvah girl reading the Maftir Aliyah and Haftarah portions beautifully.
If you like to sing, Shira Hadasha is the place for you.