JOFA commends the Rabbinical Council of America (RCA) for addressing the issue of women’s communal leadership in a serious and thoughtful manner and for recognizing the sincere desire of Orthodox women for greater participation in serving the Jewish community. We are encouraged that the RCA affirmed its support for the advancement of women in important, professional roles within Orthodox communal life.
At the same time, we are disappointed that the RCA rejected the ordination of women as Orthodox Rabbis or as members of the Orthodox rabbinate. While not unexpected, we are puzzled by this conclusion, as no compelling halakhic analysis has been articulated that prohibits women from serving in these roles. The contributions made by committed, learned women serving the community speak most eloquently to their appropriateness as religious leaders. Over time, we expect that their record will outweigh the concerns that had a significant impact on this decision.
We, together with the RCA, believe that women contribute to the vibrancy of Orthodoxy and that Jewish life is enriched by having women in positions of influence and stature within our community. We look forward to partnering with the RCA to develop a strategy for the expansion of women’s leadership roles.
In another resolution passed at this same convention, the RCA noted the reality of different ideologies within Orthodoxy and stated, “We respect their right to differ in the spirit of אלו ואלו דברי אלוהים חיים (these and these are the words of the Living God).” In this spirit and with respect, we continue to support the aspirations of learned, God-fearing women to become authoritative, communal religious leaders.
To download PDF of this statment, click here: Statement on RCA
I am outraged by this “verdict”.. To the best of my understanding, this has nothing to do with Halachah,at all.. This is about a male dominated power structure-and these men are not going to yield power voluntarily, any more than the Southern whites were about to give equal rights to the black people .
In fact, I’ve been thinking of this analogy more and more, as women are forced to the back of the bus, literally, in certain places in Israel, forced up into the balcony or behind Mechitzahs and sometimes unable to even see the Torah ,when I can think of no reason why a Mechitzah can’t be drawn down the middle of a Shul.
I write as a former Agunah,and I had hoped that the ordination of these well educated,well qualified women would hold up a beacon of light, to those who remained chained ,or more likely ,held up for ranson ,or “Get Mail” ; so many Batei Dinim and Rabbis suggested that I pay my ex-husband off.
How many Jewish babies have not be born,and will not be born, because of men who are Mesarvei Gittin, with Rabbis who turn the other way, or are directly complicit in this matter?
Where is the hope for the next generation of young women, in regards to this and so many other matters?
I applaud JOFA for its tireless and diligent efforts towards trying to empower women in the Orthodox Community.
Comment by DJS on April 29, 2010 8:07 PM
As a long time supporter of JOFA I for one do not share the disappointment and I do not think that the statement reflects all or necessarily even most of the JOFA community (though I do not presume to speak for anyone other than myself). Disappointment implies hope for a different outcome but given that the only outcome here was a rejection of title but not function, and the rejection of the title was absolutely inevitable, what other outcome could JOFA have hoped for, even indulging in fantasy? I think that JOFA’s statement suggests that only the title, and not the role, matters and is an unfortunate cloud on what is otherwise a reasonable and positive compromise resolution. Let’s move on and focus on educating more women into the roles of communal leaders that are wide open for them and now fully endorsed.
Comment by Michael Rogovin on April 29, 2010 8:07 PM
I agree with what Michael Rogovin said. I was pleasantly surprised by the RCA’s resolution. I was afraid they’d freak out and say women are “all glorious within”, and thank G-d, they didn’t. I can’t ever imagine a centrist Orthodox organization like the RCA endorsing women’s rabbinic ordination…I agree that a through halachic analysis should be done, but I don’t think the outcome would be any different. The fact that they highly endorse women’s higher Jewish learning, and their, and the commn\unity’s, need for their increased public involvement in Jewish life is praiseworthy.
I also want to say that, though women haven’t contributed publicly in Jewish life that much until recently, they have still contributed to Jewish life, albeit in traditioanl roles, which should not be denigrated nor down played in importance. Nor should we dismiss those women who genuinely feel that they can best serve their communities through tradtiional women’s roles–we should not make the mistake first wave feminism did, in excluding them from the conversation. they need to be praised and have their voices heard as well.
Comment by Jennifer Selgman on May 2, 2010 1:04 PM