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Jewish Ideas

An Insult to Women--and to Men!

We've all been reading of tensions in Israel due to the "Hareidization" of standards of conduct involving women and men. Serious problems have emerged in Bet Shemesh, because some Hareidim were disparaging and spitting at a modern Orthodox girl who was dressed modestly--but not according to Hareidi norms. There has been a long ongoing battle over public buses where the Hareidim demand that women sit in the back and the men in the front. They allow no intermingling of the genders, so they impose their values on everyone else.

The Puah Institute, specializing in medical research on women's health and especially on fertility issues, recently held a conference, but would not allow female doctors to present papers or to be on panels.

The Conversion Controversies Continue

The Israeli Chief Rabbinate has recently rejected the applications of several Orthodox Jewish converts who have applied to live in Israel. This rejection has been reported widely in the Jewish media, and has generated much discussion--and anger, frustration, disgust. These cases are being appealed, and we hope that these converts will indeed be allowed to settle in Israel as Jews.

The Chief Rabbinate only accepts Orthodox conversions performed under their jurisdiction and/or with their express approval. Orthodox rabbis who refuse to bend to the will of the Chief Rabbinate are excluded from the Chief Rabbinate's "approved" list.

This policy is problematic on many levels.

Can We Assume Too Much Responsibility? Guest Blog by Rabbi Harry Zeitlin

(Harry Zeitlin is a Seattle rabbi and teacher, as well as a visual artist and a musician. His blog is rabbizeitlin.wordpress.com)

Jewish Guilt, at least the European/western/Ashkenazi stereotype, is a cliché that is featured in much our unique, Jewish humor, and it is often seen as a positive trait that reflects our traditional values of personal responsibility and hard work. Although it has the potential to effectively cripple us, we are rather fond and protective of it. However, it's capacity for damage shouldn't be taken lightly.

Jewish "Without Religion"?

The Israeli newspaper, Haaretz, recently reported:

"One of Israel's most celebrated writers, Yoram Kaniuk, has resigned from the Jewish religion. He won his case in court to have the word "Jewish" removed from his identity at the Population Registry, and from now on he will be listed as 'without religion'. He is not alone. Apparently, hundreds of Israelis are lining up to follow his example."

Why would Israeli Jews--who live in the Jewish homeland, speak Hebrew, and feel comfortable as Jews--want to resign from the Jewish religion? What's their problem? According to halakha, one can never resign from one's Jewishness, so Mr. Kaniuk is Jewish regardless of what is recorded on the Israeli Population Registry.

Remarks by Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu to the U.N. General Assembly, September 23, 2011

Ladies and gentlemen, Israel has extended its hand in peace from the moment it was established 63 years ago. On behalf of Israel and the Jewish people, I extend that hand again today.

I extend it to the people of Egypt and Jordan, with renewed friendship for neighbors with whom we have made peace. I extend it to the people of Turkey, with respect and good will. I extend it to the people of Libya and Tunisia, with admiration for those trying to build a democratic future. I extend it to the other peoples of North Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, with whom we want to forge a new beginning. I extend it to the people of Syria, Lebanon and Iran, with awe at the courage of those fighting brutal repression.

"Shelo Assani Isha"--A Critique of Contemporary "Bloggic" Discourse

SHE-LO ASSANI ISHA– A CRITIQUE OF CONTEMPORARY “BLOGGIC” DISCOURSE

 

By Rabbi Zev Farber

(Rabbi Zev Farber was ordained (yoreh yoreh and yadin yadin) by YCT Rabbinical School. He is the founder of AITZIM (Atlanta Institute of Torah and Zionism) - an adult education initiative. Rabbi Farber serves on the board of the International Rabbinic Fellowship (IRF) and is the coordinator of their Vaad Giyyur. He is also a PhD candidate at Emory University's Graduate Division of Religion.)

 

Some Thoughts at a Time of Financial Turmoil

Recent economic news has been dis-heartening, to say the least. The current volatility of the stock market, which has been suffering serious losses, reflects the mood of uncertainty and pessimism that seems to have gripped our society.

Most of us are poorer today than we were several weeks ago.

Hopefully, the prevailing sense of fear and panic will soon subside, and things will return to "normal".  What can we learn from the financial crisis that can have lasting value for us? Here are a few ideas.

Religious Leadership--and/or Mis-leadership

A terrible crime recently made the headlines in Israel. A well-known rabbi, reputed to be a wonder-worker, had a large following of supporters who sought his prayers and blessings. One such follower came to him to seek a prayer/blessing so that a certain result would ensue. The rabbi offered his prayer/blessing and assured the man that the requested miracle would occur.

The miracle did not occur.

The man became enraged that the rabbi had misled him and had not delivered on his promise of a miracle. Apparently the man had made a contribution to the rabbi to ensure the effectiveness of the prayer. In a fit of fury, the man went to the rabbi and stabbed him to death!

Women and Orthodox Synagogues: An Opinion Piece by Pam Ehrenkranz

 

 

I keep asking Orthodox rabbis, “How  would shabbat morning services be any different if every woman in the community stayed home?” Interestingly, the responses are uniform: “We would feel bad, but in practice, nothing would change.”

Being told that your presence is irrelevant will ultimately have an effect.  It did on me. I began to wonder: If I am not necessary, and I can pray alone, and many  rabbis believe that I have no obligation to be at communal prayer, why go? Why get dressed, walk in the freezing cold or the unbearable heat, to a place, where, for all intents and purposes, my presence is superfluous?

Important New Developments: A Report from Israel

Shalom uvrakha to all members and supporters of the Institute for Jewish Ideas and Ideals. During the past several weeks, I have had many meetings during our stay here in Jerusalem. I've met with current and future authors of articles for our journal, Conversations, and our website jewishideas.org. I gave a lecture at the Pardes Institute, and will be speaking this Shabbat at one of the local synagogues.  Our Institute works with like-minded groups in Israel, and I'm pleased to be able to report some important developments.

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