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This section explores the experiences of women in different roles such as educators, communal leaders, scholars, and rebbetzins -- and possible trajectories for women being ordained as rabbis.
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Friedman, Moshe Y'chiail
"Women in the Rabbinate," Friedman, Moshe Y'chiail. Jewish Observer, 17:8, 1984, 28-29.
Synopsis: This articles suggests that it is antithethical to Orthodox Judaism for women to serve in the rabbinate. He argues against sociological standards setting the stage for the determination of halakha.
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Greenberg, Blu
"Women as Rabbis : Will There be Orthodox Women Rabbis?," Greenberg, Blu. Judaism, 1990, 23-33.
Synopsis: This article presents the question of women taking on expanding communal roles, especially roles in the rabbinate.
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Hurwitz, Sara
"Rabbanit Reclaimed," Hurwitz, Sara. JOFA Journal, VI, 1, 2006, 10-11.
Synopsis: Sara Hurwitz describes her role as madricha ruchanit for the Hebrew Institute of Riverdale, showing that there is a place for women to act as a “rabbinic” figure within Orthodoxy.
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Landau-Chark, Susan J.
"Whither the Rebbetzin in the Twenty-first Century?," Landau-Chark, Susan J.. Women in Judaism: Contemporary Writings, 2000.
Synopsis: This article presents a historical exploration of the role of the rabbinical wife into the 21st century.
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Ner-David, Haviva
"Breaking the Glass Mehitza," Ner-David, Haviva. Hadassah Magazine, May 2004, page 19.
Synopsis: Haviva Ner-David explains why she feels smicha for women should become an accepted practice in the Orthodox community.
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Rackman, Emanuel
"(Women as Rabbis) Suggestions for Alternatives," Rackman, Emanuel. Judaism, 33,1, 1990, 66-69.
Synopsis: This article promotes an expansion of women's learning at the highest levels, rather than a focus on obtaining the title of rabbi.
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Seidler-Feller, Chaim
"(Women as Rabbis) Female Rabbis, Male Fears," Seidler-Feller, Chaim. Judaism, 33,1, 1990, 79-84.
Synopsis: In this article, Chaim Seidler-Feller suggests that women becoming ordained as part of the rabbinate is not a function of halakha, but rather one of attitude.
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Wolowelsky, Joel B.
"Rabbis, Rebbetzins and Halakhic Advisors," Wolowelsky, Joel B.. Tradition, 36:4, 2002, pp. 54-63.
Synopsis: In explaining the value and defending the position of yo’atzot halakha, women’s halakhic advisors – as trained in Nishmat in Jerusalem for the purpose of advising women in the laws of the niddah, Dr. Wolowelsky discusses the possibility of women functioning as rabbis for a variety of communal services. Dr. Wolowelsky shows great respect for learned women, encourages women to achieve every level of scholarship, and argues that women can fulfill most functions that a rabbi can. However, he, too, has his red lines, without giving halakhic justification. Why, exactly, is it “true that a woman cannot speak in the men’s section before Musaf”? This statement is presented as an established fact without any halakhic justification or even so much as a footnote.
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Berkowitz, Adena, Rabbi Adam Mintz
"Rabbinic Ordination," Berkowitz, Adena, Rabbi Adam Mintz. JOFA 2nd International Conference. 1998.
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Freundel, Sharon, and Rivkah Y. Lambert, Aviva Tessler
"The Rebbetzin's Role," Freundel, Sharon, and Rivkah Y. Lambert, Aviva Tessler. JOFA 2nd International Conference. 1998.
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Hurwitz, Sara, Rabbi Dov Linzer, and Dina Najman
"Empowerment: Exploring Models of Halakhic Authority," Hurwitz, Sara, Rabbi Dov Linzer, and Dina Najman. JOFA 6th International Conference. 2007.
Synopsis: In recent years, there has been a paradigm shift in the Orthodox community with the acceptance of women in new leadership roles some originally conceived and some traditionally thought to be the sole purview of men. How has this shift affected the community and its view of authority? In many arenas, the relationship between religious leader/rabbi and congregant/student is being redefined. Explore a range of rabbinic views on the role of authority in the Orthodox community and hear from women who have assumed innovative positions in their communities.
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Wimpfheimer, Rabbi Dr. Barry
"Rabbi May I? Taking Responsibility for P'sak in Feminist Age," Wimpfheimer, Rabbi Dr. Barry. JOFA 6th International Conference. 2007.
Synopsis: Does halakha require us to cede all decision making to rabbis? What are the implications of doing so? This session analyzes the history, as well as case studies, behind our modern understandings of p'sak. Rabbi Wimpfheimer then develops a model that encourages personal responsibility in halakhic decision making.
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Goldstein, Elyse, Ed.
Women's Torah Commentary: New Insights. Goldstein, Elyse, Ed.. Jewish Lights Publishing, April 2000.
Synopsis: In this book, more than 50 women come together to offer their own inspiring commentaries on the Torah, in a week-by-week format.
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Lebeau, Beverly A.
Daughters of the King: Women and the Synagogue. Lebeau, Beverly A.. JPS, 1992.
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Rubin Schwartz, Shuly
The Rabbi's Wife: The Rebbetzin in American Jewish Life. Rubin Schwartz, Shuly. , 2006.
Synopsis: The Rabbi's Wife highlights the unique contributions of rebbetzins to the development of American Jewry.
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Rubin Schwartz, Shuly
Ambassadors Without Portfolio? The Religious Leadership of Rebbetzins in Late-Twentieth-Century American Jewish Life in Women and American Judaism: Historical Perspectives. Rubin Schwartz, Shuly. , 2001.
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Winkler, Gershon, Ed. Et al
They Called Her Rebbe, the Maiden of Ludmir. Winkler, Gershon, Ed. Et al. Judaica Press, Inc., October 1990.
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New sources are continually being added to JOFA.org. Check back often!
If you have a submission you would like us to consider, send it to
website@jofa.org.
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