Photograph courtesy of Neesa Berezin-Bahr
On the evening of December 23, communal and lay leaders in the Orthodox community gathered in Lincoln Square Synagogue for a long-overdue discussion on the status of women in Orthodox Judaism led by the nascent Orthodox Leadership Project. The Orthodox Leadership Project, as per its website, “aims to enhance the quality, integrity, and diversity of leadership in the Orthodox movement and throughout the Jewish community,” “promote the vision, opportunity and influence of Orthodox women as spiritual, professional, and lay leaders of the Jewish people” by “advocating for a more equitable leadership landscape.” Members in attendance included Rabba Sara Hurwitz, Yoetzet Halacha Bracha Rutner, Rosh Kehilah of KOE Dina Najman, and educators across the tri-state area, including Stern faculty member Professor Yael Leibowitz and several Stern students and alumnae.
The evening started with a panel discussion introduced by Dr. Michelle Sarna, former JLIC co-director at NYU who recently spoke at a Stern Women Studies Society event. Members of the panel included Dr. Rivkah Blau, a member of the editorial board of Tradition, Blu Greenberg, co-founder and one of the first presidents of JOFA, Rachel Friedman, Esq., Associate Dean and Chair of Tanakh at Drisha and moderator Dr. Giti Bendheim, a private practice psychologist.
Blau’s introductions were brief but powerful. She urged the women in the room to “be ambitious on [their] own behalf[s],” even if they already “exceeded the expectations” of the people and communities around them. Blau also expressed that the only men who are intimidated by a learned woman are men who are insecure about their own learning.
JOFA co-founder Blu Greenberg ascended the podium next and related that, practically, integrating new values into our halachic system is no easy task. Greenberg explained that early feminists are not “glorified” in our community because they are not “family oriented.” According to Greenberg, the model the Orthodox Leadership Project is presenting acknowledges this difference—female Orthodox Jewish feminist leaders are different from the secular feminists of the past in that they embrace traditional family values while making room for an increased involvement and role within the community in a leadership capacity.
Drisha Associate Dean Rachel Friedman spoke next about her experience as a Jewish educator in a world just beginning to accept women in leadership positions. She relayed that just ten years ago, one of her speaking engagements at a Modern Orthodox synagogue (after prayer services) was cancelled by the Rabbi, who worried that members of his congregation would feel “uncomfortable.” After a member of the community argued that Bat Mitzvah girls speak at synagogue, Friedman was ultimately allowed to speak. She advised members of the audience to create their own professional and communal niches irrespective of what is currently out there. “If it’s not out there, create it yourself,” she added. Friedman emphasized the importance of passing the torch of leadership when the time arises. She also expressed her desire for schools to hire more female Talmud teachers, which she believes would show young women that their studies can lead to more advanced career and learning opportunities.
The floor was then opened to questions and comments. One frustrated educator, Assistant Principal of SAR High School Dr. Rivka Schwartz, asked how women are supposed to have these leadership roles and fulfill their expected domestic duties. To resounding approval from the audience, a woman in attendance blamed institutions, mainly YU, for not training their men to expect to contribute at least 50% to domestic responsibilities.
After the event, attendees continued the conversation over a dessert reception, networked, and discussed how this conversation will extend into the future. One major takeaway from the event included the necessity of conversation about issues relating to women by both women and men. While the event was open to all, few males showed up. The Stern Women Studies Society, in particular, intends to continue the conversation begun by the Orthodox Leadership Project in Stern next semester.