In the minds of many, Presidents’ weekend had become Orthodox feminist conference time. But, as your “dancing women” magnet reminds you, our next conference will take place February 20-21, 2000. The Board’s decision, to skip over ’99 and concentrate instead on building JOFA, was not an easy one — especially with memories of organizing conferences […]
JOFA Moves Steadily Forward Read More »
“I’m prepared to divide my beit midrash in half… my synagogue — never… Orthodox women should know that in the synagogue they’re welcome guests, but they’re guests.”1 While one should certainly appreciate the first part of the statement for the remarkable breakthrough that it is — equal access to the beit midrash, one is obliged
A Woman’s Place in the Synagogue Reviewing the Halakha Read More »
Below are practices that some Orthodox synagogues have introduced to make women feel more welcome:
On the one hand, the tzedaka box isn’t passed to the three women present at the daily minyan; and the new Chabad siddur deletes altogether the woman’s blessing she’asani kirtzono; and the rabbi names the infant girl in synagogue omitting her mother’s name; and the new sign on the door reads “women should refrain from
Bless this Holy Congregation… Read More »
At a time in history when women lead multi-billion dollar companies, adjudicate on the Supreme Court, and have held the highest political office in many countries, it is perhaps surprising that more Orthodox women are not taking leadership roles in Jewish organizations. Could this be a function of the psychological mindset of Orthodox women or
Women in Leadership Positions Read More »
Feminism has shaped a radically different reality for modern Orthodox women. It has posed a challenge to those of us who balance our deep commitment to Jewish tradition with the compelling feminist ways of being and living. At the crossroads, we ask whether it is necessary to walk only one path. In the 12th century
Our Tradition, Ourselves Read More »
For many Orthodox women, feminism — the word and the idea — arouses fear. Even in the modern Orthodox community, women who, by any objective standard would be described as feminist, distance themselves from the word. Two examples: following our conference 2000, women from 11 countries met to form an international Orthodox feminist organization. A
Who’s Afraid of Feminism? Read More »
After thirty years of Pelech, perhaps one may be permitted to speak of its work as an educational model in Orthodox feminism. The challenges, struggles and triumphs have produced a generation of graduates who have made their impact as religious, professional women. They are returning as educators; they are sending their daughters to us. The
Orthodox Feminism in Process: The Experience of the Pelech School, Jerusalem Read More »
For obvious reasons, many of the efforts of serious Orthodox feminism have focused on the education of women. There has, however, been little explicit focus on the educational implications of Orthodox feminism for the education of boys. My goal here is neither to describe the current situation nor to prescribe what should be, but rather
Orthodox Feminist Education for Boys Read More »
Last week, I had a conversation with a fourteen year-old religious Israeli girl that would have made any feminist proud. This young woman, whom I will call Yael, recently participated in a mixed prayer service in which women read Torah and led services. Not only was she excited and inspired, but she used the experience
Conflicting Messages: Feminism in Religious High Schools Read More »
