About Our Minyan
We are a a partnership minyan. At Kol Sasson, women lead kabbalat shabbat, pesukei dezimrah, the Torah service, and fully participate in the Torah reading. This is done in the context of a traditional minyan with ten men and a mechitza. See our "Hashkafa" page for a detailed discussion of the halakhot surrounding women’s participation in Torah reading and in leading some parts of the service.
What began as a small group of a handful of families meeting on Friday nights has now grown to become an influential part of the greater Chicago Jewish community. We are a community focused on the critical inquiry of halakha, as well as a feminist spirited group of individuals. We have nearly 80 member units, and we enjoy continued, meaningful growth. We are an entirely lay-led and volunteer based community. While we are gratified by our emergence, we are proudest that each individual member of our diverse community is welcomed, respected, and challenged.