Feminism Encounters Traditional Judaism: Resistance and Accommodation (HBI Series on Jewish Women) - Softcover

Hartman, Tova

Softcover

ISBN 10: 158465659X ISBN 13: 9781584656593

Publisher: Brandeis University Press, 2008

Synopsis

University professor and social activist Tova Hartman, discouraged by failed attempts to make her modern Orthodox synagogue in Jerusalem more inclusive of women, together with other worshippers, set about creating their own own, Shira Hadasha (“a new song”). Since it opened in 2002, this new synagogue’s mission―to develop a religious community that embraces halakhah (Jewish law), tefillah (prayer), and feminism―has drawn thousands to services. The courageous act of creating the synagogue―against amazing odds―is testimony to Hartman’s own deeply felt commitment to both feminism and modern Orthodox Judaism. The story of the creation and ongoing development of similar “partnership minyans” in Jerusalem and elsewhere anchors and ties together this book’s five essays, each of which explores a vital contact point between contemporary feminist thought and aspects of Jewish tradition. Hartman discusses three feminist analyses of Freudian psychology for reading Jewish texts; modesty and the religious male gaze; the backlash against feminism by traditional rabbis; the male imagery in liturgy; and Orthodox women and purity rituals. Throughout, Hartman emphasizes the importance of reinterpretation, asking her readers to view as “creative tensions” what seem like obvious and insurmountable contradictions between traditional and modern beliefs. Such tensions can offer unexpected connections as well as painful compromises. The conclusion revisits the construction of the synagogue as well as discusses its impediments and actualizing these types of social and religious changes. Hartman’s book will speak directly to scholars and students of gender, religion, and psychology, as well as anyone interested in the negotiation of feminism and tradition.

About this title

About the Author:

HARRIET HARTMAN is Professor of Sociology, Rowan University, and President of the Association for the Social Scientific Study of Jewry. MOSHE HARTMAN is a retired Professor of Sociology, Ben Gurion University of the Negev.

Review:

American Jewish Libraries Newsletter"

Tikkun"

Choice"

[D]elightfully perceptive . . . [Hartman's] observations of the Modern Orthodoxy movement are so insightful that this work should be required reading for students of contemporary Judaism, whether or not they have any interest in feminism. American Jewish Libraries Newsletter"

[Hartman's] new book presents a radical perspective on being a modern Orthodox Jewish feminist. She confronts every difficult issue for a feminist in Jewish practice, locates the issues in universal terms informed by the latest feminist scholarship as well as by a deep knowledge of Jewish texts, and presents innovative perspectives that are important for anyone who wishes to maintain a religious commitment and still be intellectually and spiritually honest. This book is also a powerful reminder that the debates in Halachah (Jewish law) retain their appeal to many because they are intellectually exciting even when one doesn't accept the Orthodox premises from which they begin. Tikkun"

Stressing reinterpretation and creative tensions, Hartman juxtaposes moving personal reflection with trenchant diagnoses of the means by which and reasons why (some) Jewish traditionalists refuse to acknowledge feelings of religious marginalization and alienation experienced by (some) Jewish women . . . Recommended. Choice"

Hartman is the first Jewish feminist thinker to point out how the western and Orthodox paradigms of sexuality mirror each other in objectifying women and depriving them of their personhood. . . . Following thinkers such as Carol Gilligan and Sara Ruddick, Hartman suggests that male imagery of God might remain in its liturgical place, while inviting new meanings for such imagery. She offers a personalized perspective on nidah and the mikveh ritual. A very important aspect of the book is Hartman s sharing her experience in helping to establish Shira Hadasha, the most egalitarian Orthodox congregation in Jerusalem. Together with other founders of the congregation, Hartman outlined a formula to bring together people with different ideas concerning gender and halakhah. Let us hope that this fragile but extremely creative theological and communal venture will outlast the conflicting spirits of our time and pave a middle-of-the-road way for our gender-perplexed Jewish people. Studies in Contemporary Jewry"

The book . . . does not seek to change Jewish law, but instead provides points of contact between feminism and Orthodoxy. Feminism Encounters Traditional Judaism is successful in creating a dialogue that continues to open up the door toward equal participation of women within Orthodoxy, and does so in a manner that is approachable by all. Women in Judaism: A Multidisciplinary Journal"

"It is a "must-read" for anyone interested in religious feminism for any stripe." --Lilith

"Hartman is the first Jewish feminist thinker to point out how the western and Orthodox paradigms of sexuality mirror each other in objectifying women and depriving them of their personhood. . . . Following thinkers such as Carol Gilligan and Sara Ruddick, Hartman suggests that male imagery of God might remain in its liturgical place, while inviting new meanings for such imagery. She offers a personalized perspective on nidah and the mikveh ritual. A very important aspect of the book is Hartman's sharing her experience in helping to establish Shira Hadasha, the most egalitarian Orthodox congregation in Jerusalem. Together with other founders of the congregation, Hartman outlined a formula to bring together people with different ideas concerning gender and halakhah. Let us hope that this fragile but extremely creative theological and communal venture will outlast the 'conflicting spirits of our time' and pave a middle-of-the-road way for our gender-perplexed Jewish people."--Studies in Contemporary Jewry

About this edition

• Publisher: Brandeis University Press
• Publication date: 2008
• ISBN 10: 158465659X
• ISBN 13: 9781584656593
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 2
• Number of pages: 184