“A Rabbi’s Sorrow” Rabbi Shlomo Riskin really thought that it would be different. That those in the seat of the Israeli Chief Rabbinate would be righteous and more tolerant — toward women, converts and even Conservative Jews. Instead, they accuse him of straying from the halakha. by Zvika Klein Makor Rishon 4/08/2017 “If …

  “There is no Comparison” by Pnina Omer Jerusalem Post Op-Ed –  12/7/2017 Earlier this week, Kan – the Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation –  aired a segment called “Trapped Men,” which exposed the issue of men being denied a get (a religious divorce). The report showed that female recalcitrance is a widespread …

  “From the Heights of Women’s Day to the Depths of Aguna Day” by Pnina Omer Jerusalem Post Op-Ed –  9/3/2017 This week was marked by the powerful convergence of two important days: International Women’s Day, which is observed each year on March 8, and International Aguna Day, commemorated annually on the Fast of Esther, …

  “Imprisoned in Marriage Against Her Will” by Pnina Omer Jerusalem Post Op-Ed –  24/1/2017 Two agunot (“chained women”) made headlines this week, and I would like to offer insight as to the halachic (Jewish legal) thought process that led to these brave decisions and roused the attention of the general public. The first …

“Woman to serve as rabbinical court administrator in Efrat” by Jeremy Sharon 15/11/2016 In the latest in a series of breakthroughs in the realm of religious leadership by Orthodox women, Dr. Jennie Rosenfeld, a communal religious leader in Efrat, has been appointed director of the rabbinical court for property claims in that municipal region. …

  “No Judgment and No Judge” by Pnina Omer Jerusalem Post Op-Ed –  24/10/2016 Last week, news and social media sources reported on a ruling of the Haifa rabbinic court according to which a wife must pay her husband hundreds of thousands of shekels in order to receive her get, a Jewish bill of divorce. When the wife refused to pay …

Tide of Orthodox Women Spiritual Leaders Making Waves in Israel By Maayan Jaffe-Hoffman eJewish Philanthropy First there was the Matriarch Sarah, who according to the Talmud was a greater prophetess than her husband, Abraham. Then there was Judge Deborah. Later, there was Bruriah, quoted as a sage in the Talmud. “Throughout Jewish history, there have …

  “The Tip of the Spear” by Yinon Ahiman Israel Hayom Op-Ed –  25/8/2016 A quick glance at the Ministry of Education’s list of high schools with high values which excelled in social and educational achievements quickly reveals a categorization process which was blind to geographical, sectorial or religious parameters.  It …

“Israel’s new Orthodox rabbanit speaks of her new role” by Jeremy Sharon 24/8/2016 Carmit Feintuch, the newly appointed spiritual leader for the Ramban synagogue in south Jerusalem, has said she sees a sense of mission in her new position to help enrich the religious lives of community members. As first reported by The Jerusalem Post, …

  “Breaching the Walls of the Rabbinical Courts” by Pnina Omer Israel Hayom Op-Ed –  9/8/2016   Yet again, the High Court of Justice has been forced to intervene to prevent gender discrimination in a religious institution, this time deciding to mandate that the rabbinical courts appoint a woman to the position of deputy director …