Orthodox Jewish feminism
Encyclopedia
Orthodox Jewish feminism (also known as Orthodox feminism amongst Jews) is a movement in Orthodox Judaism
which seeks to further the cause of a more egalitarian approach to Jewish practice within the bounds of Jewish Law. The major organizations of this movement is the Jewish Orthodox Feminist Alliance
(JOFA) in North America, and Women of the Wall
(WOW) and its affiliates in Israel
and internationally, known as ICWOW - The International Committee for Women of the Wall.
The movement relies on liberal interpretations of Jewish Law, by both modern and classical rabbinic scholars, taking advantage of the lack of universal consensus on legal interpretations amongst rabbis in different eras.
Orthodox feminists make a priority of fighting on the behalf of agunot, and the "agunah crisis". Many fight in organizations specifically for this purpose, and some work independently.
, hand, or directly with the lips, during Shabbath, Yom Tob, services is a convention found in many Modern Orthodox congregations as well as non-Orthodox ones. While many may take it for granted as an integral part of worship services, it is not practiced in Haredi and Chassidic congregations. Dancing with the Torah
and having hakafoth (circuits) around the sanctuary on Simhath Torath is another way in which many Orthodox Jews interact with the Torah which is an especially important ritual in feminist circles. These are some reasons why this act has special meaning in Orthodox feminist circles.
's daughters in popular legend, and permission by Rabbi Moshe Feinstein among others, make the wearing of Prayer Shawls by women common in Orthodox feminists circles.
by women.
Holding conferences of various kinds is a major activity that Orthodox Jewish feminists use to educate, show recognition, and strengthen the movement. JOFA
organizes conferences for its members and the public drawing crowds from both North America, and internationally. As well, some Orthodox feminists participate in partnership minyan
im and other independent minyanim where they feel comfortable and are permitted to practice Judaism in their unique way. This phenomenon was the topic of discussion of Mechhon Hadar, a conference about independent minyanim.
advocates for women to ascend to the Orthodox rabbinate. Mimi Feigelson was an Orthodox student of Shlomo Carlebach
who was ordained after his death, but she doesn't use the term 'rabbi' in reference to herself out of respect for Orthodox social structure. . Haviva Ner-David
has the equivalent of Orthodox ordination, but teaches at a Conservative yeshiva.
Sara Hurwitz
is the Mahara"t of the Hebrew Institute of Riverdale
. She has the full training of an Orthodox rabbi. Her title is an acronym for Manhiga Hilchatit Ruchanit Toranit: A halakhic spiritual and torah leader. According to Rabbi Avi Weiss
, she is a full member of the clergy. A MaHaRaT has functions as spiritual leader, gives pastoral care, and leads life cycle events, as well as having authority to teach Torah. She has the authority to answer questions of Jewish Law.
In some communities, a spiritual leadership position other than rabbi is held by a woman. . Dina Najman is ראש קהילה Rosh Kehila (Hebrew: Head of Community) of Kehilat Orach Eliezer (KOE) on Manhattan's Upper West Side.
Sharona Margolin Halickman is a Madricha Ruchanit or Spiritual Mentor of the Hebrew Institute of Riverdale. .
Rachel Kohl Finegold is the ritual director at Anshe Shalom Bnai Israel in Chicago and is involved with JOFA.
Lynn Kaye is the equivalent of an associate rabbi at Shearith Israel in Manhattan.
Orthodox Judaism
Orthodox Judaism , is the approach to Judaism which adheres to the traditional interpretation and application of the laws and ethics of the Torah as legislated in the Talmudic texts by the Sanhedrin and subsequently developed and applied by the later authorities known as the Gaonim, Rishonim, and...
which seeks to further the cause of a more egalitarian approach to Jewish practice within the bounds of Jewish Law. The major organizations of this movement is the Jewish Orthodox Feminist Alliance
Jewish Orthodox Feminist Alliance
The Jewish Orthodox Feminist Alliance was founded in 1997 with the aim of "expand[ing] the spiritual, ritual, intellectual, and political opportunities for women with the framework of halakha," or Jewish law...
(JOFA) in North America, and Women of the Wall
Women Of The Wall
Women of the Wall is an organization based in Israel, whose goal is to secure women's right to hold and read the Torah and to wear religious garments at the Western Wall. They have organized a series of Women's prayer groups at the Kotel each month on Rosh Hodesh...
(WOW) and its affiliates in Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
and internationally, known as ICWOW - The International Committee for Women of the Wall.
The movement relies on liberal interpretations of Jewish Law, by both modern and classical rabbinic scholars, taking advantage of the lack of universal consensus on legal interpretations amongst rabbis in different eras.
Characteristics
Orthodox feminists, using historical precedents and aforementioned legal interpretations, allow the practice of ritual in manners that more traditional or conservative interpretations consider as befitting only to men. Many of the practices of Orthodox feminists are held to be controversial because of their different approach to the every day routine of most Orthodox Jews. Several specific rituals and practices are of particular concern:Fighting for Agunot
Agunot are women who have asked for a divorce, or who have been left by their husband, and the husband refuses to grant a get. A get is a Jewish certificate of divorce required for the woman to be able to remarry. Recalcitrant husbands are pressured by society to grant the get to the wife who is stuck in limbo, not with a husband, and unable to remarry.Orthodox feminists make a priority of fighting on the behalf of agunot, and the "agunah crisis". Many fight in organizations specifically for this purpose, and some work independently.
Interaction with The Torah
Kissing the Torah scroll with a siddurSiddur
A siddur is a Jewish prayer book, containing a set order of daily prayers. This article discusses how some of these prayers evolved, and how the siddur, as it is known today has developed...
, hand, or directly with the lips, during Shabbath, Yom Tob, services is a convention found in many Modern Orthodox congregations as well as non-Orthodox ones. While many may take it for granted as an integral part of worship services, it is not practiced in Haredi and Chassidic congregations. Dancing with the Torah
Torah
Torah- A scroll containing the first five books of the BibleThe Torah , is name given by Jews to the first five books of the bible—Genesis , Exodus , Leviticus , Numbers and Deuteronomy Torah- A scroll containing the first five books of the BibleThe Torah , is name given by Jews to the first five...
and having hakafoth (circuits) around the sanctuary on Simhath Torath is another way in which many Orthodox Jews interact with the Torah which is an especially important ritual in feminist circles. These are some reasons why this act has special meaning in Orthodox feminist circles.
Participation in Zimmunim
One of the most prevalent, and perhaps least controversial practices of Orthodox feminists, even done by some women outside of the movement, is the participation in a women's zimmun. The women's zimmun takes place when less than three men have eaten together, but where three or more women have eaten together. A zimmun is a formal call to prayer said before the communal recitation of Birkath Hamazon. One formula for the women's zimun is exactly the same formula as the zimmun of men, but substituting 'chaverot' (Hebrew: friends (f.)) for the word 'rabotai' (Hebrew: gentlemen) in the beginning of the invitation, thus femminizing the call.Use of Prayer Shawls
In Orthodox feminism, the donning of a Taleth is not seen as the wearing of a man's garment, neither is it seen as an affront to the community. These reasons coupled with historical precedents, such as the donning of Taletoth by RashiRashi
Shlomo Yitzhaki , or in Latin Salomon Isaacides, and today generally known by the acronym Rashi , was a medieval French rabbi famed as the author of a comprehensive commentary on the Talmud, as well as a comprehensive commentary on the Tanakh...
's daughters in popular legend, and permission by Rabbi Moshe Feinstein among others, make the wearing of Prayer Shawls by women common in Orthodox feminists circles.
Use of Tefillin
Citing Talmudic and later sources, Orthodox feminists allow the laying of TefillinTefillin
Tefillin also called phylacteries are a set of small black leather boxes containing scrolls of parchment inscribed with verses from the Torah, which are worn by observant Jews during weekday morning prayers. Although "tefillin" is technically the plural form , it is loosely used as a singular as...
by women.
Activities
Orthodox Jewish feminists participate in a number of organized and informal activities which both demonstrate their commitment to their values as both feminists and as Orthodox Jews.Holding conferences of various kinds is a major activity that Orthodox Jewish feminists use to educate, show recognition, and strengthen the movement. JOFA
Jofa
Jofa, originally short for Jonssons Fabriker is a maker of sporting equipment for sports such as ice hockey, bandy, horseback riding, based in Malung, Sweden.Niss-Oskar Jonsson founded Jofa in 1926...
organizes conferences for its members and the public drawing crowds from both North America, and internationally. As well, some Orthodox feminists participate in partnership minyan
Partnership minyan
Partnership minyan is a term used by the Jewish Orthodox Feminist Alliance to describe a prayer group that, according to its adherents, conforms to the strictures of Orthodox Judaism while still allowing for parts of the services to be led by both men and women...
im and other independent minyanim where they feel comfortable and are permitted to practice Judaism in their unique way. This phenomenon was the topic of discussion of Mechhon Hadar, a conference about independent minyanim.
Communal Leadership
A new office in some synagogues, particularly of the Open Orthodox movement is allowing women to serve as synagogue or congregational interns, a position traditionally held by men only.Spiritual Leadership
Blu GreenbergBlu Greenberg
Blu Greenberg is an American writer specializing in Modern Judaism and women's issues. She is the author of On Women and Judaism: A View from Tradition and Black Bread: Poems, After the Holocaust ....
advocates for women to ascend to the Orthodox rabbinate. Mimi Feigelson was an Orthodox student of Shlomo Carlebach
Shlomo Carlebach
Shlomo Carlebach , known as Reb Shlomo to his followers, was a Jewish rabbi, religious teacher, composer, and singer who was known as "The Singing Rabbi" during his lifetime...
who was ordained after his death, but she doesn't use the term 'rabbi' in reference to herself out of respect for Orthodox social structure. . Haviva Ner-David
Haviva Ner-David
Haviva Ner-David received her PhD from Bar Ilan University and wrote her thesis concerning the nature of the relationship between Tumah and Niddah . In 1993 she applied to Yeshiva University’s rabbinical program, RIETS and never received an official response...
has the equivalent of Orthodox ordination, but teaches at a Conservative yeshiva.
Sara Hurwitz
Sara Hurwitz
Sara Hurwitz is a Modern Orthodox Jewish spiritual leader who received ordination from Rabbi Avi Weiss. She is the "Rabba" at the Hebrew Institute of Riverdale in Riverdale, New York and the dean of Yeshivat Maharat in Riverdale, New York....
is the Mahara"t of the Hebrew Institute of Riverdale
Hebrew Institute of Riverdale
Hebrew Institute of Riverdale is an Orthodox Jewish synagogue in the Riverdale, Bronx neighborhood of New York City. Rabbi Avi Weiss has led the congregation since 1973....
. She has the full training of an Orthodox rabbi. Her title is an acronym for Manhiga Hilchatit Ruchanit Toranit: A halakhic spiritual and torah leader. According to Rabbi Avi Weiss
Avi Weiss
Avraham Weiss is an American Modern Orthodox rabbi who heads the Hebrew Institute of Riverdale in The Bronx, New York. He is an author, teacher, lecturer, and activist...
, she is a full member of the clergy. A MaHaRaT has functions as spiritual leader, gives pastoral care, and leads life cycle events, as well as having authority to teach Torah. She has the authority to answer questions of Jewish Law.
In some communities, a spiritual leadership position other than rabbi is held by a woman. . Dina Najman is ראש קהילה Rosh Kehila (Hebrew: Head of Community) of Kehilat Orach Eliezer (KOE) on Manhattan's Upper West Side.
Sharona Margolin Halickman is a Madricha Ruchanit or Spiritual Mentor of the Hebrew Institute of Riverdale. .
Rachel Kohl Finegold is the ritual director at Anshe Shalom Bnai Israel in Chicago and is involved with JOFA.
Lynn Kaye is the equivalent of an associate rabbi at Shearith Israel in Manhattan.
External links
- JOFA - The Jewish Orthodox Feminist Alliance
- Women of the Wall - Jewish Virtual Library
- My Jewish Learning:Orthodox Feminism For The 21st Century
- KOE - Kehilat Orach Eliezer
- The Bayit The Hebrew Institute of Riverdale.