Who’s that woman in the pulpit?

Advertisement

Our homepage article this week talks about the changing demographics in the rabbinate. It specifically sites a growing number of Orthodox women who, while not rabbis, are taking over duties traditionally reserved for congregation leaders.

Shmuel Rosner of Ha’aretz investigates this trend in “Who’s that woman in the pulpit?“:

She is part of a new fashion that is getting quite a lot of attention in modern Orthodox circles in America, an offshoot of one of the few trends that are occurring almost simultaneously in America and Israel – the Orthodox women’s revolution. Or to use plain English: women taking key, quasi-rabbinic roles in synagogues. They are almost rabbis, but not really. Or maybe really, but just not called by that name. They deliver sermons, but they cannot lead prayers, nor can they officiate at weddings. But maybe at other ceremonies: for example, funerals.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Discover More

12 Things To Know About the Temple in Jerusalem

On Tisha B’Av, Jews mourn the destruction of the Temple. But how much do you know about what it was really like?

Non-Traditional Uses for Mikveh

How an ancient ritual has been reimagined for a variety of new purposes.

Masada

The site where hundreds of Jews held out against a Roman siege has become a modern symbol of Jewish heroism.

Advertisement