Here and Now

By Alyssa Appelman
KOC Editor
University of Missouri, Columbia

During the course of my childhood, my synagogue had a female rabbi, female presidents, female teachers, and female torah readers. It all seemed so common. It didn’t even occur to me that women were previously restricted from such roles. I didn’t know that women had not been allowed to read Torah or be called to the Torah for an aliyah or be counted as part of a minyan. I didn’t know that the first female Conservative rabbi wasn’t ordained until 1985. As a child, I looked at what was in front of me, without wondering how it got there. I looked at the here and now. But in really considering the role of women in Judaism, it’s crucial to look to the past and future for context.

We’ve come so far, but we’ve got so far to go. When it comes to gender equality in Judaism, that pretty much sums it up: The religion has definitely come a long way from the days of male domination, but we’ve obviously still got a long way to go toward true equality.

In this month’s issue, we’re exploring the past and looking toward the future, as we consider the role of gender in Judaism. Emily Wasserman, of Washington University, looks at how tradition has guided us and Abby Seeskin, of Macalester College looks at ways we can move forward. Sherri Vishner, KOACH Associate, explores gender and ritual garb. And don’t forget about our regular features! In this month’s Culture Corner, Lindsay Katona shares her reflections from a Jewish-Muslim Alternative Spring Break program. For our Campus Update, KOACH Intern Daniel Hochbaum fills us in on life at McGill. And, of course, check out this month’s Jewish joke.

Happy end-of-the-semester, Happy Hanukkah and enjoy your break!

[Posted 12/10/07]