During my first trip to Israel, I spotted a young woman on Har Herzl wearing an olive khaki skirt, and carrying an automatic weapon. I stared, and she stared back. We did not speak, but I remember my surprise that an observant woman could enlist in the Israeli army. I had simply never heard of […]
Olive Skirts, Khaki Pants and Rifles: The Dress of Religious Women in the Israeli Army Read More »
In a closely-argued chapter in her book, Feminism Encounters Traditional Judaism (HBI Series on Jewish Women, Brandeis University Press, 2007), prominent feminist scholar Tova Hartman explores the concept of tzniut and what she terms its “radical ascendancy in prominence within the discourse of contemporary Orthodox Judaism.” She draws similarities between the objectification of women in
Tova Hartman on Tzniut Read More »
A few months ago, we celebrated our oldest granddaughter’s Bat Mitzvah. Of course, it was wonderful, but more than that, it was an affirmation of my aspirations as an Orthodox feminist, and as such, it brought tears to my eyes. I think my children thought they were tears of emotion at my granddaughter’s perfect, self-assured,
Orthodox/Feminist: No Longer an Oxymoron Read More »
Twenty-five years ago the idea of celebrating a Bat Mitzvah was such a revolutionary idea that my parents refused to attend their granddaughter’s day of celebration. Today most Orthodox circles celebrate a Bat Mitzvah in accordance with the religious outlook of the community to which they belong. For many, however, finding a meaningful and appropriate
Reflections on Bat Mitzvah as an Educational Endeavor Read More »
Women in Israel seem to be breaking barriers on nearly every front. A female head of the Supreme Court (MK Dorit Beinisch), a female head of the opposition (MK Tzipi Livni), a female Major General (Maj. Gen. Orna Barbivai), and two female heads of major banks (Shari Arison and Galia Maor) are a few of
The New Tehilla: Ethnic Diversity and Religious Feminism Read More »
Several years ago, I joined a JOFA educational team charged with the goal of developing a gendersensitive humash curriculum for the day school classroom. Our job: to supplement “regular” humash learning with lessons that would increase an awareness of gender through the study of humash. Following on the success of the Bereishit team, we set
JOFA’s Shemot Curriculum Read More »
JOFA’s Bereishit and Shemot curricula promote gender sensitivity, encourage questions, and use differentiated learning techniques. Inspired by students’ thoughtful questions that many teachers did not have the tools to address, the curricula were developed to encourage more reflective study of p’sukim, and thus to accommodate new interpretations, personal connections to principal characters, and attention to
Approach to Teaching Humash: JOFA’s Curricula Read More »
In the book of Esther, after killing Haman and his family and putting Mordecai in a position of power, King Ahasuerus turns to Queen Esther and asks, “What is your wish now? It shall be granted you. And what else is your request?” (Esther 9: 12). Often, when I voice concern to male colleagues in
Mentoring: The Next Feminist Challenge Read More »
Feminist discourse in the Orthodox Jewish community—where it has been allowed in—has largely been driven and shaped by the voices of women; and unsurprisingly so. As women sought equal access to Jewish learning and practice, as women shared the pain of exclusion and missed opportunities, it was the female perspective that was being heard, debated,
Educating Our Boys Read More »
Summer camp is an informal but powerful part of girls’ education in contemporary Orthodox society. It is generally accepted that camps are so effective in transmitting educational values and knowledge because of their emphasis on experiential learning. In addition, sleepaway camp settings often offer ideological choices that may not be available in terms of Jewish
The Role of Summer Camps in the Education of Orthodox Girl Read More »
