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	<title>JOFA Blog &#187; jennifer</title>
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	<description>Jewish Orthodox Feminist Alliance</description>
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		<title>We Don&#8217;t All Have to Agree on Everything&#8230;</title>
		<link>http://blog.jofa.org/2010/02/we-dont-all-have-to-agree-on-everything/</link>
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		<pubDate>Tue, 23 Feb 2010 16:29:58 +0000</pubDate>
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				<category><![CDATA[JOFA Conference Blog]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Education]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[The last journal issue was on the topic of the relation of Orthodox women to their physical selves and to  issues of clothing and appearance.  Although I had suggested this topic initially, as we solicited and collected articles, I felt a tension in balancing the different viewpoints. I realized that the tension was more striking [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The last journal issue was on the topic of the relation of Orthodox women to their physical selves and to  issues of clothing and appearance.  Although I had suggested this topic initially, as we solicited and collected articles, I felt a tension in balancing the different viewpoints. I realized that the tension was more striking and pronounced over this issue than over others because how we dress and how we feel about out physical selves is a topic that is immensely personal to all of us. Was I making a mistake by continuing with the topic?  No one wants to feel that their choices are being presented as halakhically unacceptable or as insufficiently feminist.  I became concerned that the journal would promote divisiveness among its readers. Shouldn’t we rather be concentrating on what unites us &#8211; the fight to reduce injustice for the agunah, the quest for more women in positions of religious leadership, the expansion of women’s ritual roles and other vital issues? </p>
<p>  After the journal appeared, I even received an email from a woman complaining that the issue advocated a position with which she was uncomfortable and that she felt did not represent Jewish feminism.  Nevertheless the overwhelming response was positive.  Readers did not agree with every article- that was not the goal &#8211; but all thought that the topic was a vitally important one that stimulated and challenged them to think further on its different aspects and ramifications.</p>
<p>My experience with this journal issue confirmed my view that the purpose of the journal and of our spectacular conferences is to present a wide range of viewpoints, experiences and perspectives within Orthodox feminism and to promote sincere, respectful and thoughtful discussion.  We must feel confident that we can all differ as individuals in many ways and still come together on the goals that unite us.</p>
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