The Tanakh is not immune to stories of sexual violence and sexual objectification. Many stories in Tanakh deal with the beauty (or simply the body) of a woman leading to objectification and violence. Obvious examples include: Sarah who is forcefully…
Jewish history, Biblical Times, Critical issues, Social justice, Jewish living, Women’s issues
The theme of this year’s International Women’s Day is #BeBoldForChange – in pursuit of a more inclusive and gender equal world. I hold in highest esteem the bold and dedicated human beings who are marching together to fight for inclusivity…
Jewish living, Women’s issues
As I recently sat in a movie theater watching the Oscar-winning Spotlight, one recurring thought dominated all others: I could have written this script. Although the film focuses on abusive priests and the Catholic Church that protected them, the patterns…
Critical issues, Social justice, Jewish living, Women’s issues
HAVRUTA MASTERCLASS from Rabba Yaffa Epstein and Rabbi Dr. Meesh Hammer-Kossoy in which they discuss modern day perceptions of two biblical heroines. Meesh: Back then, the ceiling was not glass, and I don’t think Esther or Ruth made any attempt…
Personalities, Biblical personalities, Tanakh, Ketuvim (Writings), Esther, Jewish calendar
Watch Rabba Yaffa Epstein’s JDOV talk about her experience being the “outsider” in the Orthodox world and how and why she broke her way into the conversation. “In this talk, I examine the concept of feeling like an impostor. The…
Self & spirituality, Reflection, Jewish living, Women’s issues
I never needed a title. For more than fifteen years, I have happily taught Torah alongside Orthodox rabbis with titles while being referred to by my first name. This is what the Rabbinical Council of America, North America’s Orthodox umbrella…
Jewish living, Women’s issues
Although the topic of women and reclining is not on the top of anyone’s list when thinking about women in Judaism, it actually cuts directly to the most important and the core questions of women’s social status. Do the Rabbis…
Critical issues, Feminism, Jewish calendar, Pesach, Jewish living, Women’s issues
Rahel Berkovits looks into the obligation of women in the reading of the megillah and discusses how things are not as they seem. She goes on to show how the laws are a window to the complexity of the status…
Tanakh, Ketuvim (Writings), Esther, Jewish calendar, Purim, Jewish living
Blu Greenberg, Malke Bina and Rahel Berkovits In Conversation on the topic of Orthodox Feminism: How far have we come; How far still to go? Moderated by Meesh Hammer-Kossoy.
Critical issues, Feminism, Modernity, Jewish living, Women’s issues
2015 Hershdorfer Kantrowitz Brettler Lecture Series The Transformation of Biblical Women: Medieval Society Rereads the Bible. Professor Elisheva Baumgarten. In this series, Professor Elisheva Baumgarten will demonstrate how medieval Jewish society re-reads the Bible in novel and suprising ways. This…
Jewish history, Medieval and Early Modern Europe, Jewish living, Women’s issues
In this four-part series, Rahel Berkovits discusses the evolution of women in halakha with specific focus on Kaddish, Minyan and Rabbinic Ordination. Rahel Berkovits has spent many years studying Talmud and Jewish texts in both traditional and academic frameworks at…
Critical issues, Feminism, Jewish living, Women’s issues
In this four-part series, Rahel Berkovits discusses the evolution of women in halakha with specific focus on Kaddish, Minyan and Rabbinic Ordination. Rahel Berkovits has spent many years studying Talmud and Jewish texts in both traditional and academic frameworks at…
Critical issues, Feminism, Jewish living, Women’s issues
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