By Dina Brawer [1] Imagine the elation felt by the Hasmoneans who recaptured the Temple and their jubilant euphoria when their frantic search produced a small jar of pure oil. This find enabled them to light the Menorah, which by miracle burned for eight days. The Hasmoneans’ direct experience of salvation culminated in a celebration …
By Channa Lockshin Bob[1] Many cultures celebrate a midwinter holiday. In fact, many of these holidays are celebrated through candles and food. While Hanukah was only celebrated from post-Biblical times onward, the Gemara attributes the first celebration of a midwinter holiday to the first human being, Adam. A close analysis of the similarities and differences …
F R O M O U R E X E C U T I V E D I R E C T O R By Daphne Lazar Price In 1997 I attended the First International Conference on Feminism and Orthodoxy in New York City. It was the precursor to what was to become the Jewish …
Our Story: A Brief History of Jofa On a cold February morning in 1997, a small group of women, self-proclaimed Orthodox feminists all, rushed to set up everything just so in the conference space of the Grand Hyatt Hotel in midtown Manhattan. Folders were stuffed, registration lists printed, name tags arranged. The conference they had …
In times of crisis like we are experiencing right now, coming together helps remind us that we are not alone. We invite you to find strength and inspiration in the community of women, through events like our next Food for Thought: Learning and Tasting Event Exploring Talmudic Heroines, scheduled for the Five Towns, Long Island, …
September 6, 2023 Background: Several organizations participated as friends-of-the-court. The ACLU of New Jersey, the ACLU, the Jewish Orthodox Feminist Alliance, Sanctuary for Families, and Unchained at Last filed a brief to affirm that the state and federal constitutions protect speech by a person experiencing abuse and seeking her community’s support. The Organization for the …
Jofa Statement on New Jersey Legal Decision Supporting Agunah’s Free Speech Read More »
With support from the Natan Fund, Jofa is pleased to offer another event in its “Food for Thought” series –in Silver Spring, Maryland, on Tuesday evening, July 11! RSVP NOW TO JOIN US! Come nourish your mind, body, and spirit, through the stories of Talmudic heroines, paired with vegan recipes to produce true “food for thought.”This …
The Jewish Education Project and The Jewish Orthodox Feminist Alliance, in collaboration with The William Davidson Graduate School of Jewish Education, are pleased to convene a second cohort of the Gender Equity in Day Schools Network. This summer intensive, titled “Spheres of Control and Spheres of Influence,” will bring together educators who are motivated to …
Gender Equity in Day Schools Network Summer Intensive Learning Cohort July 17 -19 Read More »
On Wednesday, July 19, from 7-9PM at the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan, Jofa is co-sponsoring a screening and panel discussion, moderated by Jofa’s Daphne Lazar Price, of two short documentaries exploring the past and present fight for abortion rights: “Under G-d,” directed by Jofa board member Paula Eiselt, and “Deciding Vote,” directed by Jeremy Workman and Robert J. Lyons. Details …
Film Screening and Discussion Panel
Manhattan
July 19 Read More »
Ruthie Braffman Shulman served as a Devorah Scholar at the United Orthodox Synagogue in Houston, TX. There she held the role of Director of Education and Engagement and halachic consultant at United Orthodox Synagogues of Houston. Her role there as a member of the leadership team was multi-faceted; she led educational programming for community members, online …
