My main take-away messages from the four JOFA conferences I have attended are:
1. The excitement and energy of people grappling with issues and questions that they normally don’t deal with
2. The depth and breadth of knowledge that’s available
3. The new people you meet and fantastic conversations you enjoy and can eavesdrop on
4. The common sense that each person no longer feels alone
So, my job as Conference Chair is to keep this dynamic spirit going while making sure that we not only welcome our regular attendees but that we continue to add new people — young, old, female, male, more and less observant — and that everyone feels empowered and excited to join the conversation!
So, what are we talking about? How do we, both as individuals and as a community, increase the participation of women in ritual and life cycle events? What rituals have traditionally been male oriented but halakhically can be open to women? Does opening ritual to women weaken the affiliation of the core? Does inclusion strengthen the community? If so, how? Should women create their own rituals? How do you do it? What has been your most meaningful ritual or life cycle moment?
What does social justice mean to an Orthodox Jew? Is it a religious value in our community? If so, has it been overshadowed by attention to details of ritual? Should we be concerned about issues like human trafficking? Do inhumane animal care practices matter to our concept of kashrut? Will a social justice perspective help identify new partners and rationales to create solutions for agunot?
What will be the future of women’s leadership in Orthodoxy? Is women’s halakhic leadership a viable model? How can it be fostered? What will it mean for the community? How do we make sure that communal non-Rabbinic leadership positions are afforded the same respect and compensation as Rabbis? How do we balance advances in learning with leadership? Should your daughter ‘s dreams be different than your son’s?
Do religion, halachah and spirituality go hand in hand? Why do our Modern Orthodox lives often seem very busy yet spiritually lacking? How do we find and carve out space to communicate to God more regularly? How do we make tefillah (more) meaningful? How does spirituality in a 21st C context differ from previous generations? How do you express your own spirituality?
These are some of the issues I think about and topics we plan to talk about at the conference. But, don’t wait for the conference to join the conversation. Ask your own questions in this space or help answer some of mine.
Let’s get the conversation started!
Audrey Axelrod Trachtman
Audrey, I’m very excited about the 4 planned topics. Although increasing the participation of women in ritual practice continues to be an important issue, the fact that JOFA has expanded its focus implies that 1) significant gains have been achieved in that area, and 2) there are equally important issues that pertain directly to Orthodox women which need to be addressed. Also, I have always felt that the exclusion of women from orthodox ritual and the problem of agunot are not “women’s issues” but rather problems that all Orthodox people need to confront. By including spirituality and social justice in the conference agenda, you’ve hopefully broadened participation to include all the men who support JOFA’s mission, but nixed past conferences because it’s a chic thing. Good job! Looking forward to it!
Comment by Sharon on January 6, 2010 7:54 PM
I’m wondering how JOFA can foster new rituals that will engage boys and men in the context of partnership minyanim. Otherwise how do I interest my sons in taking part in these services?
Comment by andy r. on January 6, 2010 8:49 PM
I feel increasingly alienated from the orthodox community because the leadership seems determined to relegate women to the periphery. There are many great women scholars and thought leaders who should be heard from. I am eager to attend the conference so I can join with like-minded people who will work together to make sure women’s voices are heard.
Comment by Esme on January 6, 2010 9:18 PM
So excited for the JOFA Conference! Eavesdropping is definitely one of my favorite parts as well!
In the spirit of online blogs and starting a conversation, I’d like to respond to Andy R. While I think it is obviously important for men and boys to feel included in all of this, I think that you may not be realizing the full picture here. Taking a regular minyan as an example, men are full participants, and able to actively be involved in all parts of prayer. Women, in contrast, are not allowed to participate in any active or meaningful way. In partnership minyanim, both women and men are welcomed to participate and be involved in various aspects of the services. No one is taking anything away from men; rather, people are making steps to include everyone. Men should be encouraged to embrace this idea of inclusion, and enjoy the fact that everyone can be involved. In a modern society, won’t that inclusion ultimately benefit and engage everyone?
Comment by Goldie on January 7, 2010 1:52 PM
I am so excited about the conference too and am delighted to see the expanded focus of the programming!
In terms of partnership minyanim (love the minyanim; hate the name, but that’s for another time), what I struggle with is how hard it is to daven at a “regular” Orthodox shul now that I have become used to the participation by women. It’s a real challenge because I otherwise feel very much part of the Orthodox community and want to raise my children as part of (a hopefully) progressive Orthodoxy. No doubt that’s a fairly “high-class” sort of problem to have, but it is something I struggle with.
Comment by Hannah on January 7, 2010 6:01 PM
So many thought-provoking questions. I look forward to continuing the conversation on March 13th & 14th!
Comment by Chaya on January 11, 2010 10:28 AM
In highlighting social justice as an Orthodox issue are you making a distinction between issues that affect jews and non-jews? it seems to me in this limited resource world, that we have to allocate resources (both time and money) to those issues that impact us the most and that we can have the biggest impact on. If the whole rest of the world can focus on human trafficking, why should we jews spend our small resources on it ?
Comment by jenny on January 11, 2010 10:47 AM
Jenny – Because we’re Jews, eternally filled with verve and vim, and it’s in our nature to be compassionate and care about all forms of suffering. The rest of the world “can” focus on human trafficking, but do they? You may be right; we may not have sufficient resources to adequately affect events, but it’s still something we can talk about to determine if that’s actually the case.
As far as partnership minyanim, it would be wonderful if a plan could be formulated for interested attendants to begin to introduce the concept back in their home communities. What steps need to be taken to gain a wider acceptance? I envision a gradual multi-step process beginning with involved, community-wide halachik discussions on each of the key points (aliyot, touching the Torah, leading parts of davening, etc.,) and the introduction of a minyan that slowly increases women’s participation in each of these areas. People need time to become acclimated to new ideas – especially when said ideas change long held views or traditions – no matter right or beautiful the vision is.
Comment by Adam on January 11, 2010 12:38 PM
I’m looking forward to renewing my commitment to feminism and Orthodoxy. I’ve fallen out of my passion about these issues, defaulting to the status quo. I was more vocal several years ago, and now I’ve become less engaged in this dialogue. I love reading the Journal, and I’m excited to plant my feet at the conference together with all of you.
Comment by Mimi on January 11, 2010 1:02 PM