Jewish feminism

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ReginaJonas

Gloria Steinem 1977 ©Lynn Gilbert

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Jewish feminism is a movement that seeks to make the religious, legal, and social status of Jewish women equal to that of Jewish men in Judaism. Jewish feminism advocates for women's rights, responsibilities, and identities within the Jewish faith and society. It encompasses a variety of movements, ranging from Orthodox Jewish feminism to more liberal movements within Reform and Conservative Judaism. The movement addresses issues such as the right to Torah study for women, equality in synagogue participation, recognition in religious rituals, and the ordination of women as rabbis.

History

The roots of Jewish feminism can be traced back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with the rise of various women's movements across the world. However, it was in the 1970s that Jewish feminism began to gain significant momentum, paralleling the second wave of feminism in the United States. Early Jewish feminists sought to challenge and expand the roles of women within their religious communities, advocating for access to religious education and ritual participation that had traditionally been reserved for men.

Key Issues

Jewish feminism addresses several key issues within the Jewish community:

• Torah study for Women: Advocating for equal opportunities for women to study religious texts, which has historically been a male domain.
• Participation in Religious Life: Seeking equal participation for women in synagogue services and rituals.
• Rabbinical Ordination: The fight for the ordination of women as rabbis has been a significant issue within Jewish feminism. The first woman rabbi, Regina Jonas, was ordained in Germany in 1935. Since then, the Reform, Reconstructionist, and Conservative movements have begun to ordain women as rabbis.
• Agunah and Divorce Rights: Addressing the issue of agunah, where a woman is chained to a marriage because her husband refuses to grant her a religious divorce, known as a get.
• Gender Equality in Religious Law: Advocating for changes in Jewish law to reflect gender equality, including inheritance rights and obligations.

Movements within Jewish Feminism

Jewish feminism is not a monolithic movement but consists of various strands, including:

• Orthodox Jewish Feminism: Focuses on advancing women's rights within the framework of Halacha (Jewish law). This includes advocating for women's participation in religious rituals and leadership roles within the constraints of Orthodox Judaism.
• Reform and Conservative Feminism: These movements have been more open to radical changes, including the ordination of women as rabbis and gender equality in religious practices.
• Reconstructionist Judaism: Has been at the forefront of gender equality in Judaism, with a strong emphasis on egalitarian practices.

Impact

The impact of Jewish feminism has been profound, leading to significant changes in Jewish religious practices and the role of women in Jewish society. Women have gained greater access to religious education, and the ordination of women as rabbis has become accepted in several Jewish denominations. Jewish feminism has also influenced the discussion around gender roles and equality in Jewish law and practice.

Challenges

Despite its successes, Jewish feminism faces ongoing challenges, including resistance from traditionalist sectors within Judaism, the struggle for full equality in Orthodox communities, and the ongoing issue of agunah.

See Also

• Feminism
• Judaism
• Women in Judaism
• Egalitarianism