Women, Femininity & Feminism

The Jewish Woman is a site dedicated to providing Jewish women of all backgrounds intellectually challenging, emotionally uplifting and inspirationally stimulating articles.

The issue is even more baffling than you think. Most of the guidelines for prayer, we learned from a lady named Chana who lived about 3000 years ago. Yet all the dominant roles in communal prayer are given to men!

Sonia Rosenblum (1897-1974) was woman whose stature as a scholar and practitioner of Chasidic teachings was known and recognized. A letter addressed to her by Rayatz attests to her breadth and depth of mind when she was yet 19 years of age.

I would describe myself as a Chassidic feminist. The two terms are not mutually exclusive, though their combination is not without tension...

Everyone can become a “mother.” What comes naturally to the female half of creation can be learned and assimilated by all, and not only in giving birth to children but in every one of life’s endeavors.

Is it true that G-d in Jewish teachings is patriarchal--that is, thoroughly imbued with male characteristics and values?

The Torah’s account of the petition presented to Moses by the daughters of Zelophehad is relevant both to women seeking halachic support for change, and to the rabbis who are ruling on their questions.

Alone in New York City, she had heard that on this night there would be dancing here, and she’d looked forward to it all week. She couldn’t wait to dance, and she hoped to find a community that would embrace her.

The womanly strain in the "Song at the Sea"

Commonly perceived as a concession to the weaker sex by the stronger, the rule is actually founded upon a very different rationale