I am writing this article on an El Al flight back to Israel, having concluded a two-week visit with family and friends. New York – or at least the few parts that I saw – looked the same to me, with one new addition in the frum community that everyone is excited about: the 24-hour “Minyan Factory,” which allows you to daven any time you want. I must admit that these places are extremely convenient, and I davened in the “Non-Stop Minyanim” in the Five Towns and also in the brand-new one in Monticello on St. John Street. From mikvah to Minchah, and from Kaddish to coffee, these places offer everything am Yisrael needs – except one. Women are not welcomed in these minyan factories.

How do I know? Simple! I came to daven one morning with my wife (what a rebel!) and innocently asked where the women’s section is. The gabbai of the “Non-Stop Minyanim” on Cedarhurst Ave. waved his hands – as if to say, “Please don’t ask ridiculous questions” – but I pressed on. “Seriously, my wife wants to daven. Where is there a place for women?” Realizing that I was not joking around, he apologized and told me that there are so many men coming to daven that there is just no room for women. I thanked him for his explanation but made sure I got in the last word. “It’s unfortunate how you found room for pizza and sushi but not for women.”

The minyan factory in the Catskills was exactly the same. A tremendous amount of money was invested into buying a big house in Monticello, which was renovated from top to bottom. The rooms are big, spacious, and clean. There is a beautiful beis midrash in the building as well, where guys can sit and learn, and there is a mikvah downstairs that is modern and nice. There are coffee machines, vending machines, and even a small Judaica store that sells everything a family needs. However, just like in the Five Towns, this minyan factory does not have a place for women to daven.

Please don’t misunderstand me. When I write that we need to have a place for women to daven, I am not pushing the agenda of the “Women of the Wall.” Those ladies are not interested in davening; they simply want to fight. Their agenda is to break the religious hold on the Kotel and to water down authentic t’filah with Reform Judaism. My words are the complete opposite! I am referring to our holy wives, mothers, sisters, and daughters whose power of prayer can pierce the heavens! Take a look at the “Kotel-Cam” on YouTube. Watch how many women come to daven “neitz” (sunrise) at 5 a.m. The gabbaim of the Kotel set hundreds of chairs for these ladies so that they can be comfortable when they daven. Rebbetzin Kanievsky z”l also davened early in Bnei Brak. She inspired thousands of women to daven, and she – and hundreds like her – used to recite their brachos out loud so other women could answer “Amein.”

What has happened to us? When did we begin to distort concepts – in the name of holiness – that actually drive us away from our Father in Heaven? Am Yisrael desperately needs the t’filos of our n’shei chayil, and we need to welcome them in every shul we build. Countless commentaries and passages in the Talmud teach us that it was because of the women that we left Egypt. We all know that women were not punished in the sin of the spies and did not die in the desert – only the men! Nothing is purer than the t’filos of women who do not look at their watches (or cell phones) when they daven. They cry when they daven – much more than the men – and their heartfelt words penetrate the “Gates of Tears,” which have never been locked.

Please, if you know the people in charge in these – or other – minyan factories, talk to them and get them to add an ezras nashim – a women’s section. One of my friends told me that while he agrees with me, a women’s section is not necessary because very few women come anyway. I explained to him that the reason women don’t come is because they are not welcomed! I promise you that as soon as a proper ezras nashim is placed in every minyan, women will start attending. When that day arrives, only good things will happen for our Nation – even if it means there’s no room for pizza and sushi.

Am Yisrael Chai!

Shmuel Sackett is a 100% product of Queens. He was born in Middle Village and moved to KGH shortly before his bar-mitzvah. He graduated from YCQ (1975) and YHSQ (1979). He was Havurat Yisrael’s first Youth Director (4 years) and started the first 2 NCSY chapters in Queens. Shmuel made aliyah in 1990 and co-founded Manhigut Yehudit, together with Moshe Feiglin. His website is www.JewishIsrael.org Sackett is married with 6 children and 4 grandchildren. He lives in Herziliya Pituach.