"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."
Explores the feminist and gender perspectives on Jewish history, culture, and religion, as well as the challenges and opportunities of promoting gender equality and social justice in Jewish communities.
The Torah and Jewish Law: Understanding the ways in which Judaism has traditionally viewed gender roles and examining the roles of men and women in Jewish texts.
Women in the Bible: Examining the portrayal of women in the Hebrew Bible and understanding how these portrayals have influenced Jewish cultural beliefs around gender.
Jewish Women’s History: Understanding the important contributions of Jewish women throughout history, from religious figures to political leaders and scholars.
The Talmud and Rabbinic Literature: Exploring the ways in which Jewish law and tradition has developed over time and the role that women have played in this process.
Jewish Feminist Theology: Understanding the ways in which feminist theory has been applied to Judaism and the role of Jewish women in shaping contemporary understandings of the faith.
Women and the Synagogue: Examining the role of women in Jewish communities and the changing roles of women within the synagogue over time.
Gender, Sexuality, and Identity: Examining the intersection of gender, sexuality, and identity in Jewish communities and the ways in which Jewish feminism has sought to address issues of marginalization and exclusion.
Jewish Women in Contemporary Society: Examining the role of Jewish women in contemporary society and the challenges that they face in navigating gendered and religious expectations.
Gender and Jewish Education: Exploring the ways in which gender is constructed and reinforced within Jewish educational institutions and the ways in which teaching practices can perpetuate or challenge these constructions.
Jewish Feminist Activism: Examining the history and contemporary role of Jewish feminist activism and the ways in which Jewish feminists have sought to effect social and political change.
Jewish Gender Studies: An interdisciplinary field of study that focuses on the intersection of gender and Judaism. It encompasses various approaches, including historical, sociological, anthropological, and philosophical.
Jewish Feminism: The advocacy of women's rights based on the principles of Jewish ethics, law, and tradition. It aims to challenge gender inequalities within Jewish communities and beyond.
Jewish Queer Studies: An emerging field of study that explores the intersections of Jewish identity, sexuality, and gender. It looks at historical, cultural, social, and religious perspectives on Jewish queerness.
Jewish Masculinities: The study of Jewish men's experiences and expressions of masculinity. It examines how Jewish men define, communicate and perform masculinity in Jewish communities and broader society, challenging traditional gender norms.
Jewish Women's History: An area of study that uncovers and documents the experiences of Jewish women in different times and places. It examines how women have contributed to Jewish religious, social, and political life throughout history.
Jewish Ecofeminism: A feminist perspective that highlights the interconnectedness between feminism, environmentalism, and Jewish traditions. It aims to raise awareness about environmental issues and promote eco-friendly practices based on Jewish values.
Jewish Disability Studies: Explores the intersection of Jewish identity and disability. It examines how Jewish communities can become more inclusive and supportive of people with disabilities, addressing issues of accessibility, dignity, and inclusion.
Jewish Women's Literature: The study of women's writing in Jewish cultures, including poetry, novels, memoirs, and essays. It seeks to identify the unique literary contributions of Jewish women and understand how their gender and Jewish heritage intersect in their work.
"In its modern form, the Jewish feminist movement can be traced to the early 1970s in the United States."
"According to Judith Plaskow, the main grievances of early Jewish feminists were women's exclusion from the all-male prayer group or minyan, women's exemption from positive time-bound mitzvot, and women's inability to function as witnesses and to initiate divorce in Jewish religious courts."
"Two articles published in the 1970s were trailblazers in analyzing the status of Jewish women using feminism: 'The Unfreedom of Jewish Women,' published in 1970 in the Jewish Spectator by its editor, Trude Weiss-Rosmarin."
"An article by Rachel Adler... called 'The Jew Who Wasn't There: Halacha and the Jewish Woman,' published in 1971 in Davka."
"In 1973, the first [American] National Jewish Women's Conference was held, in New York City; Blu Greenberg gave its opening address."
"Feminist movements, with varying approaches and successes, have opened up within all major branches of the Jewish religion."
"The 613 commandments given in the Torah at Mount Sinai and the seven rabbinic commandments instituted later, for a total of 620."
"Women's exclusion from the all-male prayer group or minyan."
"Women's exemption from positive time-bound mitzvot" - Positive time-bound mitzvot are commandments that must be performed at specific times, and women traditionally were exempt from some of them.
"Women's inability to function as witnesses and to initiate divorce in Jewish religious courts."
"The status of Jewish women using feminism."
"According to Judith Plaskow..." - She is a key figure in the Jewish feminist movement.
"'The Unfreedom of Jewish Women,' published in 1970 in the Jewish Spectator by its editor, Trude Weiss-Rosmarin."
"Rachel Adler, then an Orthodox Jew and currently a professor at the Reform seminary Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion..."
"'The Jew Who Wasn't There: Halacha and the Jewish Woman', published in 1971 in Davka."
"In 1973, the first [American] National Jewish Women's Conference was held, in New York City..."
"Blu Greenberg gave its opening address."
"...that seeks to make the religious, legal, and social status of Jewish women equal to that of Jewish men in Judaism."
"Mitzvot meaning the 613 commandments given in the Torah at Mount Sinai and the seven rabbinic commandments instituted later, for a total of 620."