The History of the Egalitarian Minyan in Frankfurt am Main
Fall 1993
Rabbi Dr. Harry Brandt gives the women of the synagogue in Hanover permission to carry the Torah scrolls on Simchat Torah.
Drawdown of American troops following German reunification: Military installations in Frankfurt are slated for closure. This includes the chapel and its Jewish congregation, where many of the founding members of the Egalitarian Minyan had found a spiritual home.
January 1994
Micha Brumlik and Andy Steiman issue an invitation to those who are interested in holding Reform services in Frankfurt. About 30 people attend the first meeting in the Philantropin. They introduce themselves and their religious backgrounds and discuss how they wish to proceed.
Beginning of regular biweekly shiruim and services, initially in private homes, then in leased rooms in the Frankfurt Women’s School and in the Fritz Bauer Institute. During this time similar groups are forming in Cologne, Munich, Berlin and Hanover.
March 1994
Founding of the Kehillah Chadascha e. V. (Kehilla Chadasha Association), the first formal organization.
Since 1995
Regular yearly nationwide meetings of liberal Jewish groups in the Evangelischer Akademie in Arnoldshain. After much discussion, the Frankfurt group decides not to join the other groups in the Union of Progressive Jews in Germany, opting instead to develop its own style of prayer based on Frankfurt’s liberal tradition, while remaining part of the Jewish Community of Frankfurt.
1996
Ignatz Bubis, z”tl invites the group to meet in the Jewish Community Center in Frankfurt.
October 1998
The group begins to meet in the Jewish Community Center.
2000
Daniel Kempin-Edelmann becomes worship leader for the Friday evening services.
October 2000 – August 2001
Restructuring of the group into the Egalitarian Minyan in the Jewish Community Frankfurt and founding of the group Freunde und Förderer des Egalitären Minjan e. V. (Friends and Supporters of the Egalitarian Minyan e. V.).
April 2004
The Egalitarian Minyan Frankfurt celebrates its tenth anniversary with a special service and a podium discussion. Guests and participants: Avitall Gerstetter and Elisa Klapheck, Berlin; Jan Mühlstein, Munich; Prof. Micha Brumlik, Dr. Rachel Heuberger and Dr. Susanna Keval, Frankfurt am Main.
2005
Rabbi Elisa Klapheck initiates a monthly program of services and shiurim.
June 2006
The Egalitarian Minyan Frankfurt celebrates its twelfth anniversary with a “cultural Bat Mitzvah.” Together with Rabbi Elisa Klapheck, nine women of the Minyan prepare and lead the shacharit service on Saturday, June 10. Approximately 200 guests are present.
April 2007
For the first time, the Egalitarian Minyan Frankfurt holds two Pesach Seders in its new home, the former weekday synagogue in the Westend Synagogue complex. Renovation is still in progress, but the Shiur Room is nearly finished and the Minyan begins the process of moving from the Senior Citizens’ Club in the Community Center.
June 2007
The Egalitarian Minyan Frankfurt celebrates its thirteenth anniversary with a “cultural Bar Mitzvah.” Together with Rabbi Elisa Klapheck, eight men of the Minyan prepare and lead the shacharit service on Saturday, June 16.
October 5 – 7, 2007
The Egalitarian Minyan Frankfurt will officially open its new home with a weekend of services and events.
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Past worship leaders, guest rabbis and cantors:
Cantor Jalda Rebling (2005, 2006)
Rabbi Elisa Klapheck (from 2004)
Prof. Allmuth Bruckstein, Berlin – Jerusalem (2000, 2004)
Cantor Avitall Gerstetter, Berlin (2001, 2004)
Prof. Jossi Schwarz, Tel Aviv (2004)
François Lilienfeld, Narbonne (2003)
Rabbi (Army COL) Kenneth Leinwand (2001)
Prof. Channa Safrai (2001)
Rabbi Prof. Eveline Goodman-Thau (2001)
Rabbi Andy Steiman, Frankfurt am Main (2001/2002)
Rabbi Izchak Marmorstein, Vancouver (2000)
Rabbi Dr. Daniel Katz, Essen (1997 / 1998 / 1999)
Rabbi Mosche Zemer, Tel Aviv (1995 / 1996)
Dr. Barta, Stuttgart (1994)