Orthodox Jewish feminism

Orthodox Jewish feminism (also known as Orthodox feminism amongst Jews) is a movement in Orthodox Judaism which seeks to further the cause of a more egalitarian approach to Jewish practice[1] within the bounds of Jewish Law. The major organizations of this movement is the Jewish Orthodox Feminist Alliance (JOFA) in North America, and Women of the Wall (WOW) and its affiliates in Israel and internationally, known as The International Committee for Women of the Wall (ICWOW). In Israel, the leading Orthodox feminist organization is Kolech, founded by Dr. Chana Kehat. In Australia, there is one Orthodox partnership minyan, Shira Hadasha, in Melbourne.

The movement relies on liberal interpretations of Jewish Law, by both modern and classical rabbinic scholars, taking advantage of the lack of universal consensus on legal interpretations amongst rabbis in different eras.

In 2016, Lila Kagedan officially became the first female Orthodox rabbi, while serving in Melbourne, Australia.[2] Later in 2016, Rabbi Kagedan was hired as rabbi at Modern Orthodox Mount Freedom Jewish Center in Randolph, New Jersey, becoming the first orthodox female rabbi in the United States.[3][4] Rabbi Kagedan is currently working at Walnut Street Synagogue in Massachusetts.[5][6] In 2021, Shira Marili Mirvis was appointed to be the spiritual leader of the Shirat HaTamar synagogue in Efrat, Israel.[7]

  1. ^ Beliefnet Orthodox, Feminist, and Proud of It Judaism's Orthodox feminist movement has succeeded in opening doors for women committed both to Jewish law and gender equality
  2. ^ Desk, Jewish Press News. "Rabbi Lila Kagedan, First Female Rabbi at Orthodox Shul in Melbourne". Retrieved 2019-05-05.
  3. ^ "NJ Orthodox shul announces hire of woman using 'rabbi' title". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. 2016-01-11. Retrieved 2019-05-05.
  4. ^ "First Woman Orthodox 'Rabbi' Is Hired by Synagogue". The Forward. Retrieved 2019-05-05.
  5. ^ admin-walnut. "Clergy". Walnut. Archived from the original on 2016-12-18. Retrieved 2019-05-05.
  6. ^ "Chelsea's historic Walnut Street Shul preserves a future". Jewish Journal. 2017-06-15. Retrieved 2019-05-05.
  7. ^ "Orthodox, Female and Running Their Own Shuls – Just Don't Call Them Rabbis". Haaretz. Retrieved 2021-11-25.

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