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.
Of Man’s First Disobedience
In loving memory of my mother, Judith Kaufman Hurwich a”hלֹא עָלֶיךָ הַמְּלָאכָה לִגְמוֹר, וְלֹא אַתָּה בֶן חוֹרִין לִבָּטֵל מִמֶּנָּה. פרקי אבות ...
OAD: On Another Derech
I recently heard Rabbi Joseph Telushkin speak about the Lubavitcher Rebbe. The Rebbe believed that words mattered so much that ...
The Gender of Our Clergy Need Not Dictate Where Women Breastfeed
In her JOFA post, “I Wasn’t Asking for Your Opinion,” Rabbanit Sharona Halickman rightfully criticizes the Orthodox Union for “only now ...
Tisha B’Av: Transforming Victimhood, Accessing Our Most Powerful Selves
The great challenge is learning how to honor the past while being able to create a future based on fresh ...
Judaism After Orthodoxy: Insights into the “OTD” Movement
Many of us have read some of the recent memoirs written by people who have left their Orthodox community of ...
Orthodoxy And Its Discontents
I’ve just read a book whose sole purpose is to denigrate Open Orthodoxy, its institutions and its principles.Nevertheless, Why Open ...
I Wasn’t Asking For Your Opinion.
Over 18 ½ years ago I was chosen to be the first Congregational Intern at the Hebrew Institute of Riverdale. ...
From the Plains of Moab to Pemberley
All posts are contributed by third parties. The opinions and facts in them are presented solely by the authors, and ...
After 10 Years as an Agunah and 2 Gets Later, I Know Better.
After two difficult divorces "chained" her, an Orthodox mom finds a way to protect her freedom.
Opening the Gates of Prayer
The women wore a variety of costumes, from Disney princesses to Queen Esther herself. Listening to them read the Megillah ...