BUILDING A VIBRANT AND EQUITABLE ORTHODOX COMMUNITY

Sunday, March 7, 2021

10:30 AM ET | 9:30 AM CT | 7:30 AM PT | 5:30 PM GMT+2

SESSIONS

Welcome to the 10th International Conference on Feminism and Orthodoxy:

Building a Vibrant and Equitable Orthodox Community!

Choose from sessions focusing on Gender and Education, Women in Leadership, Women in Ritual, and 2020: Looking Back and Looking Forward.

To attend the session, click on the "Join Session" button. All meetings will take place on Zoom, so please make sure you are using the most up-to-date version.

For questions or support, please contact dani@jofa.org

10:30 AM ET - 11:00 AM ET

OPENING PLENARY

10:30 AM ET - 11:00 AM ET

Opening Plenary

Kick off the JOFA Conference on Feminism and Orthodoxy: Building a Vibrant and Equitable Orthodox Community with your fellow attendees. Hear from JOFA President Pam Scheininger, who will frame our goals for today before you engage in various panels and interactive lunches.

Pam Scheininger

11:00 AM ET - 12:00 PM ET

SESSIONS - BLOCK A

Each breakout session will include a pre-recorded panel discussion, followed by live Q&A from the audience.

11:00 AM ET - 12:00 PM ET

Gender & Education

The Glass Ceiling and the Widening of the Pipeline

From pay equity to access to professional development tools, using earned titles, and equal advancement opportunities, how can we ensure that our schools are expanding the pipeline to include qualified women for top leadership roles in our day schools.

Dr. Rona Novick
Tikvah Wiener
Dr. Meryl Feldblum
Moderated by Dr. Mindy Feldman Hecht

11:00 AM ET - 12:00 PM ET

Women in Ritual

Obstacles and Opportunities: How COVID has Changed Women’s Role in Mikveh

While synagogues closed their doors for months (and reopened with limited attendance), mikvaot for women's use stayed open. This opened new avenues of public conversation addressing physical and emotional well-being, as well as upholding Halakha. How were women's needs addressed? What are the ways that women were at the fore of decision-making processes?

Rabbi Lila Kagedan
Maharat Ruth Friedman
Rabbanit Bracha Jaffe
Moderated by Rachel Berke

This session will include closed captioning.

11:00 AM ET - 12:00 PM ET

2020: Looking Back & Looking Forward

Birth Justice and Maternal Health

America has the highest maternal mortality rate of any first-world country. In this conversation, filmmakers Tonya and Paula and Dr. Chavi Karkowsky will explore why that is, what race has to do with it, and where we are - or are not - as a society in addressing this phenomenon.

Dr. Chavi Karkowsky
Paula Eiselt
Tonya Lewis Lee
Moderated by Rabba Dr. Carmella Abraham

11:00 AM ET - 12:00 PM ET

Women in Leadership

Beyond the Synagogue: A Look at the Future of Clergy Roles

Today the job of the "rabbi" extends beyond the traditional pulpit-preaching role. How do we empower synagogue communities to broaden clergical roles into various senior positions? What are other senior leadership communal opportunities that exist for Orthodox clergy?

Rabbi Isaiah Joseph Rothstein
Rabba Ramie Smith
Darshanit Dr. Miriam Udel
Moderated by Daphne Lazar Price

12:15 PM ET - 1:15 PM ET

SESSIONS - BLOCK B

Each breakout session will include a pre-recorded panel discussion, followed by live Q&A from the audience.

12:15 PM ET - 1:15 PM ET

Gender & Education

Teaching Sex and Sexuality in Orthodox Schools

There is no standardized sex-ed curriculum in the United States, which is reflected in Orthodox schools. And because of perceived conflicts with Halakha, children receive limited and often conflicting advice about birth control, sexually trasmitted diseases, gender identity and sexual orientation, consent and healthy relationships. How can we guide schools to provide an inclusive and comprehensive sex-ed curriculum?

Rabbi Ari Segal
Rabbanit Dr. Jennie Rosenfeld
Shuli Taubes
Moderated by Rachel Berke

This session will include closed captioning.

12:15 PM ET - 1:15 PM ET

Women in Ritual

Adding Meaning, Motivation and Participation: Creating New Feminist Rituals

In this discussion, our panelists will offer some tools and resources to help individuals and communities create informal feminist rituals. They will share some of their own innovations and those of their colleagues, and provide ideas for further development of rituals to mark and elevate special occasions and routines.

Rabbanit Alissa Thomas - Newborn
Rabba Dina Brawer
Rabbi Asher Lopatin
Moderated by Dr. Mindy Feldman Hecht

12:15 PM ET - 1:15 PM ET

2020: Looking Back & Looking Forward

Navigating an Increasingly Polarized Society

From the personal to the political and from religion and ritual, are our synagogues, schools and Jewish communal organizations taking more extreme stances? How have women played a role? And how are women specifically impacted?

MK Tehila Friedman
Dr. Leslie Ginsparg Klein
Dr. Rivka Press Schwartz
Moderated by Audrey Trachtman

12:15 PM ET - 1:15 PM ET

Women in Leadership

Enriching Our Communities: Devorah Scholars' Experiences in the Field

In 2019, JOFA announced the Devorah Scholar Grants, an innovative program designed to seed the American Orthodox synagogue landscape with women spiritual leaders. This groundbreaking opportunity was made possible through the visionary support of the Micah Foundation. Meet some of our Devorah Scholars and their synagogue leaders, and hear about the genesis of the program and their trailblazing experiences from the field.

Rabbanit Avital Engelberg
Ruthie Braffman Shulman
Rabbi Nati Helfgot
Moderated by Ann Pava

1:15 PM ET - 2:00 PM ET

Grab a snack and join an Affinity Lunch -

A moderated forum for discussion on important topics

1:15 PM ET - 2:00 PM ET

Affinity Lunch

Maharat: Where Have We Come From and Where Are We Going?

Come learn about Maharat's growth, where our graduates are serving, and our vision for the coming years.

Rabba Sara Hurwitz

1:15 PM ET - 2:00 PM ET

Affinity Lunch

Young Professionals Meet Up with Blu Greenberg

Young Professionals are invited to enjoy an intimate "hang out" with the legendary Blu Greenberg, JOFA founder and Orthodox feminist trailblazer.

Blu Greenberg
Naima Hirsch

1:15 PM ET - 2:00 PM ET

Affinity Lunch

Women in Health Care (JOWMA)

More than 70% of healthcare workers in the United States are women, and we have been disproportionately negatively affected by the pandemic. This year it became especially apparent that women in healthcare are largely left out of decision making and make less money than their male counterparts in the field. Most frustratingly, it is these women on the frontlines who have been the higher proportion of COVID-19 cases in comparison to their male colleges, research suggesting masks and other PPE was designed for men. Over lunch, we will reflect on the experience of being from women healthcare providers during this difficult time, including ways in which the Jewish community has been a support, or how we can do better.

Liat Greenwood
Dr. Bat Sheva Maslow

1:15 PM ET - 2:00 PM ET

Affinity Lunch

Women and Philanthropy

Most people think you have to be rich to be a philanthropist. Not True! Everyone can be a philanthropist by strategically investing their own resources to make the world a better place. Join us in conversation to find out how.

Ann Pava

1:15 PM ET - 2:00 PM ET

Affinity Lunch

Evolution and Revolution of Women’s Daf Yomi with Insights from Today’s Daf

Rabbanit Michelle Farber has become synonymous with expanding opportunities for women to learn daf yomi. Join Rabbanit Michelle to learn more about the movement that she has tapped into and learn some insights from today's daf.

Rabbanit Michelle Farber
Carolyn Hochstadter

1:15 PM ET - 2:00 PM ET

Affinity Lunch

Raising Feminist Sons

Join these two parent-son pairs for an interactive conversation about the challenges, opportunities, and joys involved with raising feminist sons in the Orthodox community. We hope you will take away tools and ideas that will enrich your own parenting around issues of gender and Orthodoxy.

Davi Frank
Shai Goldberg-Kellman
Michael Kellman
Dr. Laura Shaw Frank

1:15 PM ET - 2:00 PM ET

Affinity Lunch

Tefillah and COVID

Rabbanit Bracha Jaffe

1:15 PM ET - 2:00 PM ET

Affinity Lunch

Finding a Work / Life Balance During COVID

Many individuals have struggled to find a work/life balance in the changed landscape of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly women who have been impacted disproportionally by the realities of working from home, job setbacks and losses, and the increasing demands of childcare at home. Come and share your story, your struggles, victories (big and small) and hopes with us.

Dr. Mindy Feldman Hecht
Gail Katz

1:15 PM ET - 2:00 PM ET

Affinity Lunch

Finding my Voice: A Conversation with Neshama Carlebach

Neshama Carlebach spent decades of her life singing for others, but it wasn't until the last few years that she found her own authentic voice. Join Carlebach in conversation with JOFA's Executive Director, Daphne Lazar Price as they reflect on her life, lessons learned and what lies ahead.

Neshama Carlebach
Daphne Lazar Price

1:15 PM ET - 2:00 PM ET

Affinity Lunch

High School Meet up

Join other high school students for a "meet and greet" and an engaging discussion of great female activists.

Sarit Greenwood
Galya Cohen
Gabriella Fine
Pam Greenwood

1:15 PM ET - 2:00 PM ET

Affinity Lunch

Women in Politics

Join MP Ya'ara Saks and Mayor Aliza Bloch to explore the experiences of Jewish women in politics. MP Saks is a Member of Canadian Parliament for York Central in Toronto, and Mayor Bloch became the first female mayor of Beit Shemesh in 2018. Navigating the political process as observant women comes with its unique set of challenges and experiences. Learn more and explore the possibility of getting involved in politics yourself in this affinity lunch.

Mayor Aliza Bloch
MP Ya'ara Saks
Pam Scheininger

1:15 PM ET - 2:00 PM ET

Affinity Lunch

Late Pregnancy Loss & Neonatal Loss: Thinking Beyond Our Troubling Sources

The experiences of stillbirth and neonatal loss in the Jewish community present unique challenges for parents whose experience of loss is a study in contrasts with halakhic and aggadic traditions that seem insensitive to the realities of this loss. How can parents find their stories within the Jewish tradition, and find comfort within the Jewish community?

Dr. Shira Billet
Roselyn Bell

2:15 PM ET - 3:15 PM ET

SESSIONS - BLOCK C

Each breakout session will include a pre-recorded panel discussion, followed by live Q&A from the audience.

2:15 PM ET - 3:15 PM ET

Gender & Education

Bringing an Orthodox Feminist Sensibility to Schools

When it comes to informal educational opportunities, inequality can still be prevalent. Sports teams and other extracurricular activities are often offered to boys and not girls. Dress code enforcement tends to single out girls over boys, and davening spaces tend to favor the boys in terms of lines of sight and hearing. How can we advocate for equitability outside the classroom?

Dita Cooper
Amy Newman
Debra Shaffer Seeman
Moderated by Abigail Lindenbaum Tambor

2:15 PM ET - 3:15 PM ET

Women in Ritual

Kol Sasson v'Kol Simcha: Creating a Checklist for a Balanced Orthodox Wedding

Mazel tov -- you're planning a wedding! Now comes the fun part. Learn about ways to enrich the ceremonial aspects of the occasion and add equitable and inclusive rituals. Explore all the ways you can create a gender balanced, participatory wedding -- from the engagement to the tisch to the chuppah and beyond.

Rabba Yaffa Epstein
Rabbanit Leah Sarna
Abigail Pick
Moderated by Dr. Idana Goldberg

2:15 PM ET - 3:15 PM ET

2020: Looking Back & Looking Forward

Intersectionality in 2021

In recent years, questions of loyalty have come to the fore. In an effort to accomodate "conflicting" ideologies, do we need to compartmentalize aspects of our identities and beliefs, or can we show up with our full selves?

Ginna Green
Miryam Kabakov
Dr. Malka Simkovich
Moderated by Professor Sylvia Barack Fishman

This session will include closed captioning.

2:15 PM ET - 3:15 PM ET

Women in Leadership

Obstacles and Opportunities - The Impact of COVID on Women’s Work

The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic created unforeseen obstacles for women, including work-life boundaries, childcare challenges and self-care management. How has the disproportionate impact on women changed the way we navigate our daily routines? What are long and short term implications and impacts?

Nicole Nevarez
Sara Shapiro Plevan
Dr. Laura Arnold Leibman
Moderated by Rabbi Aaron Frank

3:30 PM ET - 4:30 PM ET

SESSIONS - BLOCK D

Each breakout session will include a pre-recorded panel discussion, followed by live Q&A from the audience.

3:30 PM ET - 4:30 PM ET

2020: Looking Back & Looking Forward

Sexuality and Our Bodies

In this conversation, we will explore the ways in which social and religious pressures of observant Judaism contribute to how we relate to our bodies and our sexuality - and to empower ourselves around issues related to niddah, body image and LGBTQ+ inclusion.

Suri Halpern
Ora Weinbach
Dr. Jeremy Novich
Moderated by Carolyn Hochstadter

3:30 PM ET - 4:30 PM ET

Women in Ritual

The Torah Belongs to All of Us: Building and Growing an Orthodox Feminist Congregation

How do we build an inclusive and welcoming shul for people of all genders? Who has a seat at the table when discussions of Bat Mitzvah ritual, women's participation in tefillah and women in leadership are raised? How do we enact change in our synagogues or build new ones from the ground up?

Rabbi Barry Dolinger
Rabbanit Avital Engelberg
Rabbi Marianne Novak
Moderated by Michael Kellman

This session will include closed captioning.

3:30 PM ET - 4:30 PM ET

Gender & Education

Building and Growing an Orthodox Feminist School Inside the Classroom

While secular curriculum requirements are standardized and equal across lines of gender, the same is not the case for Judaic subjects. How do we ensure that boys and girls receive the same education with the same support from teachers and faculty? How do we hold our schools accountable?

Rabbi Atara Cohen
Nina Cohen
Judith Talesnick
Moderated by Pam Scheininger

3:30 PM ET - 4:30 PM ET

Women in Leadership

How Does the Role of the Rabbi Change When the Rabbi is a Woman

From a separate "dress code" to creating space for breastfeeding mothers to contract negotiations, we have different expectations of and double standards for women rabbis. How do we ensure that all rabbis have the tools necessary to succeed within their workspace?

Rabba Rachel Kohl Finegold
Rabbanit Dasi Fructer
Rabbi Dina Najman
Moderated by Rabba Sara Hurwitz

For questions or support, please contact dani@jofa.org