Schools were once evaluated based on their ability to deliver the three “Rs”: “reading, writing, and ’rithmetic.” In recent years, however, schools have come to realize that they need to focus on a fourth “R”– resilience. Educators now understand that they must play a role in helping raise emotionally resilient young people who can cope […]
Strengthening Body Image: The School’s Role and Responsibility Read More »
As part of its series The Orthodox Jewish Woman and Ritual: Options and Opportunities, JOFA has created a comprehensive booklet on Birth, edited by Jennifer Breger and Lisa Schlaff. It can be accessed at http://www.jofa. org/pdf/opt_Birth.pdf. A number of topics not covered in this issue of the Journal are addressed there, including recitation of the
Want to Learn More? Resources on Birth Rituals Read More »
Israeli women of retirement age (62 to 64)1 are not considered old or “out of it.” They comprise a respectable part of the population—10 percent of the population is over 65 years of age, and 30 percent over 55. Older Israeli women remain active, whether within the family, volunteering in the community, or participating in
Israel’s Savta Brigad Read More »
Every Shabbat morning, as I arrive in shul and take my usual seat toward the back of the women’s section, I notice that the front row is still empty. Soon Grandma Anita arrives, carrying a tote bag bulging at the sides, and takes her seat in the front row. Shortly thereafter, Grandma Harriet, Anita’s machateiniste
Grandparenting Today Read More »
Yocheved Debow does a yeoman’s job with a difficult, complicated, and complex topic: talking to your children about sex. Her book is thorough, straightforward, and practical. Unfortunately, it’s also humorless and xenophobic There are issues any honest person would have to struggle with when writing a sex education book from an Orthodox perspective. There are
Talking about Intimacy and Sexuality: A Guide for Orthodox Jewish Parents Read More »
“If I had known, I would have had more children.” “Why didn’t you know?” “Because I never asked.” “Why not?” “Because there was never anyone to have a conversation about it with.” This conversation took place between an Orthodox woman and a yoetzet halacha, a halakhic advisor trained in the laws of family purity. Sadly,
My Yoetzet Halacha: A Religious Resource for the Community Read More »
It is time to face the issue of mamzerut. It is a subject that I was exposed to as a result of my work in Israel as a rabbinic advocate, working with women denied divorces (mesoravot get) and agunot. While separated from their husbands, some of these women became pregnant by other men and gave
Solving the Mamzerut Problem Read More »
What is the first step in coming up with a new ritual? It seems that the need always arises from a hole, an emptiness, a sense that something is missing. Sometimes it is a hole in the order of the tefillah itself, as in the time that our Women’s Tefillah Group of Raritan Valley, now
New Rituals for Women’s Tefillah Groups Read More »
A few Shabbatot ago, while speaking about Parashat Korah, the rabbi of our shul took the opportunity to exhort all of the members of the congregation to “stay in [their] lane[s].” He implored them to limit their aspirations to their determined lot, to be happy and content with their place, and to work on themselves
Daf Yomi: A Driver’s Manual Read More »
“I don’t know when window shades were invented, but clearly that isn’t an option the Gemara is considering here,” I found myself saying to a class of fifteen college-aged students. At the time, I didn’t realize this would be a life-altering observation, tossed out nonchalantly in the middle of my course on “Hilkhot Roommates.” But
Opening a Window: How Tech Can Elevate Women’s Voices on Torah Read More »
