I was brought up with an understanding that tefilla is an integral part of the day-to-day Jewish experience; a responsibility incumbent on every person.  While I was taught the importance of tefilla, it was also clear that it should be done as efficiently as possible in order to get to other more rewarding and pleasant aspects of Jewish observance.

In view of my education and upbringing, one might question whether my efforts on a book advocating for greater participation of woman in communal prayer is a case of ‘sour grapes’. However, that would get me all wrong.  In fact, the more I mull over this problem in Modern Orthodox life, the more I feel that the question of why include women in communal prayer should be replaced by a far better question – namely, why not?

In putting this book together, I strongly advocated that JOFA adopt a scholarly stance and include contributions that support women reading from the Torah and playing a greater role within the service, as well as those opposed to these innovative practices.

From the perspective of editor, I hope the book will be seen as a first step in an effort to reframe some of the key terms that are used in virtually all legal discussions that address the possibility of enhancing women’s participation in religious practice. This ranges from minyanim to teaching, shofar to shul leadership.  Current halakhic terminology forces people to use words and react to ideas that do not accurately speak to the minds and hearts of many people who are fully committed to Orthodoxy today.  I can only hope that publication of this book and its widespread dissemination in the community will provide an opportunity to develop new terms for this debate that reflect modern sensibilities. Redefining the meaning of phrases like sexual immodesty and the debasement of mitzvot by women’s participation in ritual observance, terms that may no longer resonate with the thoughts and ideas of most people who would contemplate participating in a minyan with increased women’s involvement, would be an important first step in broadening the discussion and inviting new participants into this dialogue.  I am not advocating replacing the objectivity of halakha with human subjectivity or adopting a totally new worldview of observance. I think introducing modern terms to discuss the ramifications of including women in tefilla can be accomplished without betraying the integrity of halakha.  I hope that readers of the book keep these thoughts in mind as they work their way through this scholarly anthology.

Rabbi Daniel Sperber will address JOFA’s new book, Women and Men in Communal Prayer: Halakhic Perspectives. He will be in Teaneck this Shabbat, June 25-26;  Stamford on Wednesday, June 30; Westhampton Beach on Thursday, July 1; and Riverdale on Shabbat morning, July 3. For additional information about times and locations, click here.

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

Talk with your rabbi about the importance of supporting women’s leadership in your community and at the Convention. JOFA has sent two letters to the RCA and we hope that they will help you in “making the case” for women’s leadership to your rabbi. Click here to read them:

Letters to RCA Leadership for Website

JOFA reaffirms our support of the individual women who have been the invisible center of the recent controversy over the conferral of religious leadership status on Orthodox women.  We applaud these brave women who have stood fast with dignity. Daily they make us proud of their religious learning, halakhic commitment, and generous service to the community. We appreciate their patience with the long, slow march towards full halakhic participation in all aspects of communal life and Torah leadership.

We are encouraged by the RCA’s recent statement asserting “its commitment to women’s Torah education and scholarship at the highest levels, and to the assumption of appropriate leadership roles within the Jewish community.” At the same time, we are saddened that so many leaders remain unsupportive of a title commensurate with the critical roles that women perform in the synagogue and greater Orthodox community.

JOFA believes that dialogue across the Orthodox community must be conducted with the respect embodied in the principle of “kol mahloket she’hi le’shem shamayim…,” any argument for the sake of Heaven…. It is the wide variety of opinions, voices and practices within both halakha and our community that creates its richness and depth. We invite all to add their voices and “Join the Conversation” at the JOFA Conference this weekend, Saturday evening – Sunday March 13-14.

To read as PDF, click here: JOFA Statement 3 9 10

We strongly reject the statement issued by the Moetzet Gedolei HaTorah, the Council of Torah Sages, that any synagogue in which a woman performs any rabbinic functions represents a radical and dangerous departure from Jewish tradition and can no longer be considered an Orthodox synagogue. This view does not recognize the many women who perform rabbinic functions in major Modern Orthodox synagogues around the country – as teachers, leaders, pastoral counselors, yoatzot halakha and more. The appointment of women in religious leadership roles is a natural evolution of the increased learning and synagogue responsibilities being undertaken by Orthodox women today. Many respected Modern Orthodox rabbis have endorsed women’s new religious roles in synagogue life and have welcomed these new initiatives as a contribution to building up community.

The statement by the Moetzet is clearly a political move, designed to put pressure on both the RCA and the Modern Orthodox community to delegitimize its own congregations and attack its individual leaders. It is also an attempt to pressure Modern Orthodoxy to pull back from the noble and fully halakhic strides it has made in this generation by welcoming women’s spiritual and intellectual gifts for the sake of our people.

For more information about JOFA’s advocacy efforts, please contact Audrey Axelrod Trachtman, VP of Advocacy, at jofa@jofa.org or 212-679-8500.

To read this as a PDF, click here: JOFA Statement Regarding Council of Torah Sages Statement 3 2 10