Stern College students are afforded education on the highest level. No one contends women seeking higher education. We study science, pursue literature, and receive impressive degrees in addition to studying Talmud and Bible. We are active in both the worlds of Torah and Madda (science), and feel that we can be involved in anything that we choose to accomplish. But when it comes to our role in greater religious involvement, there is a large degree of uneasiness from many different directions. Halacha (religious laws) defines the boundaries and structure of roles for women, yet the world brings females further into the public sphere, forcing us to think, react, and reexamine.
The event, “Feminism and Halacha”, hosted by the Women’s Studies Society and co-sponsored by TAC, struck an all-too-plucked chord in many who try to balance the modern day notions of female independence with adherence to age old halacha.
The event reflected the unique position that Stern College for Women represents as an institution that is regarded both as a serious university and a yeshiva for modern orthodox females–a combination that is hard to find. Stern occupies a unique niche as a preeminent institution of higher women’s education.
“We opened with this event for a reason,” said Women’s Studies Society Vice President, Chana Herzig, a shaped Women’s Health major. “We wanted to set the stage and communicate our purpose as a club all at once. This event felt like the perfect opportunity to explain what we hope to accomplish as a club–meaningful and productive conversation.”
We women are advancing in secular society, but are we also advancing at the same rate in our religious communities? This concern was the brainchild for the event. It was more than just conversation about halacha and feminism–it was a conversation about the progression of orthodox women as our role in societal life progresses. The only agenda was to seek productive and creative solutions all the while respecting and valuing the institution of halacha.
The panelists were Rabbi Kenneth Auman, the Rabbi of Young Israel in Flatbush and a Senior Lecturer in the American Yoetzet Halacha (female adviser for religious law) program; Rabbi Saul Berman, professor of Judaic Studies and teaches a course on Women and Halacha; Dr. Chaya Gorsetman, Clinical Associate Professor and Early Childhood Coordinator of the Education Department at Stern College who is soon to publish a book about gender roles prescribed to children in religious studies; and Professor Nechama Price, professor of Bible and Judaic Studies at Stern College and future Yoetzet Halacha.
Students were asked to fill out a questionnaire and submit questions prior to the event to ensure that the forum featured topics across the spectrum of both halachic and feminist concerns. The questions were not worded to elicit any specific response, rather, aimed to generate an honest sharing of concerns and hopes. The panelists addressed issues such as women feeling like spectators at a sporting event during a minyan (quorum of ten Jewish adults), the phraseology that suggests that women are “bought” by their husbands at the time of marriage, women taking communal leadership positions, and the non-obligatory, time-bound mitzvot (commandments).
The reactions of students after the event ultimately represent the tension within Stern with regard to this topic. While many students had felt that the panelists discussed progressive ways for women to increase their communal involvement, many felt that conversely, it was not bold or forward enough.
As the first event of the year hosted by the Women’s Studies Society, many were unsure of what to expect. “When I first heard about Stern having a Women’s Studies Society, I was skeptical. Now, if I hear the WSS is running an event, I think, ‘Oooh, this is going to be good, interesting, balanced, stimulating, not annoying, not outrageously offensive, and not the-bad-kind-of-feminist,” reflected Malka Segal, a junior at SCW.
The event was an accomplishment as it certainly generated thoughtful conversation, regardless of the direction or reaction. Hannah Dreyfus, a junior at SCW, commented, “The event was a valuable first step in the Women’s Studies Society’s goal to raise awareness of these critical issues on campus. While some of the questions posed to panelists were a bit hackneyed (like questions about a woman’s place in the synagogue and women being written about as ‘property’ in some Talmudic literature), overall the event accomplished exactly what it set out to achieve: getting both men and women talking about what it means to be a Jew, a woman, and a feminist.”
As a panelist, Professor Price’s reflections of the event mirrored her remarks in the discussion. “I was originally hesitant to speak because everyone defines feminism in their own way, and I wouldn’t define myself as a feminist. However, the panel was diverse and allowed everyone to speak their mind.” She echoed her personal formula to inspire change, saying, “When everything is done in quiet, the tznius (modest) way, that’s where changes happen. Then you can free yourself of controversy.”
However, many did feel that women could be afforded even more opportunity in the realm of Judaism, ideas which went unaddressed throughout the discussion. “I thought it was a good introduction to some issues confronting Jewish women today, which was appropriate for students of Stern who were just getting exposed to the issues,” related Mimi Farb, a junior at SCW. “However, I think that it was just the beginning and that there needs to be a forum for women at Stern who are more interested and have more difficult questions.”
The event was open to both campuses. As the only student from Yeshiva College in attendance, David Nagar, a junior at YC, felt that it was necessary to attend because the topic is an important issue to be discussed. Nevertheless, he felt that the questions asked could have been found in any library, including the Stern library, which is “small enough as it is.” He had presumed that more discussion would have–and should have–been centered on other subjects, such as when the Talmud refers to women as “datot kalot” (“light-headed”), and the ostensible outlook of Maimonides that women should not be learning Torah on a high level. When asked why more of his counterparts did not attend, Nagar asserted that many would have been interested, but the location and timing did not work with the men’s schedules.
Julia Shrier, a senior at SCW and board member of the Women’s Studies Society, had mixed feelings about the event as well. She understood that “the questions asked have already been thought about; nothing shocking was said. There is a divide in the student body. These are real issues. I think we should go forward, but the challenge is how to move forward without destroying the fabric of the foundation that tradition and religion is built on.”
Shrier’s comment seems to highlight that Stern is a place where religious, independent, and accomplished women can not only immerse themselves in secular subjects, but be involved in the formal Torah world on the highest level, as well. Yet, there still seems to be some resistance among students who feel that certain progressive implementations don’t jive with halacha or simply fight against the precedence of the female role in Judaism.
The event was designed to be a conversation that need not turn into a battle, but rather a forum for an intellectually honest discussion that would pertain to every individual of the student body. “Some girls don’t think about women’s issues as relevant and they avoid it thinking that it’s borderline apikorsus (heresy),” said Ms. Herzig. “It’s highly relevant and personal to everyone and everyone should be concerned with these things for the future of our communities, daughters, and sons.”
And as hoped, many left the event charged and ready for more discussion, including the panelists. “This is exciting,” said Dr. Gorsetman. “I’ve been here for twenty years and this is exciting. Keep it up!”
To listen to a full recording of the event, visit http://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/782894/Rabbi_Saul_Berman/Panel_on_Halacha_&_Feminism