JOFA's Torch
The Torch explores gender and religion in the Jewish community. Named for Deborah the Prophetess, “the woman of torches,” the blog highlights the passion and fiery leadership of Jewish feminists, while evoking the powerful image of feminists “passing the torch” to a new generation. Disclaimer: All posts are contributed by third party authors. JOFA does not assume responsibility for the facts and opinions presented in them.
Let’s Spread Some GOOD News
Dr. Monique Katz, a member of JOFA’s Board of Directors, once shared a d’var Torah that has stuck with me ...
Like Mother, Like Daughter
Michal Dicker shares her compelling story of growing into her Orthodox feminist identity. She originally submitted this essay to gain ...
JOFA: Including Men
My mother-in-law likes to use the expression “you could have knocked me down with a feather.” I can’t quite imagine ...
Leading Seder for the First Time
This was my first Pesach away from home. I am a first-year college student and although I love my college and ...
Pesah— Hag HaHinukh: The Holiday of Education
Jewish tradition has four names for the Passover Holiday—Hag HaAviv (the Spring Festival), Hag HaMatsot (the Holiday of Unleavened Bread), ...
The Widening Scope of Gender Expression and Traditional Judaism
Orthodox feminism’s struggle for women’s leadership and ritual inclusion set a strong precedent for the recent consideration of the issues ...
Three Ways to Engage Children and Adults at Your Seder
The HaggadahWhen my family sits down to the seder table, we won’t be passing around the Maxwell House Hagaddahs. We ...
Preparing for Pesach My Way
The seder is my favorite Jewish ritual, and every year, I have the best of intentions. In line with the ...
Prepping for Passover Amid Grief and Taxes
It is the day before Passover and everyone has a yahrtzeit but me.My mother’s mother collapsed on seder night, ten days before her young grandson ...
Prime-Time Drama
This post has been translated from Hebrew to English by Bracha Jaffe.Shabbat afternoon between the afternoon and evening prayers is ...