JOFA's Torch
The Torch explores gender and religion in the Jewish community. Named for Deborah the Prophetess, “the woman of torches,” the blog highlights the passion and fiery leadership of Jewish feminists, while evoking the powerful image of feminists “passing the torch” to a new generation. Disclaimer: All posts are contributed by third party authors. JOFA does not assume responsibility for the facts and opinions presented in them.
Can Modesty Be A Feminist Choice?
By the time I finally bought my first bikini, I was sixteen years old. As a chubby kid who had ...
The Maternity Leave Mitzvah
The details may vary from patient to patient, but the scenario is usually the same. A mother and newborn baby ...
My #OrthodoxFeministMoment
“Ima, can you help me with my chapter of megillah?” My thirteen-year old son Davi, who recently became a Bar ...
Challenging our Assumptions about Women’s Inclusion
“You should volunteer to lead the Orthodox minyan, prayer services, you have the opportunity to make a Kiddush HaShem, sanctification ...
Listen to Your Head and Your Heart When You Make the Next Change in your Professional Career
Two years ago, I ignored every rational and logical thought in my head.I was completing the twentieth year of a ...
Torah Costume, One Size Fits All
As a high school student, finding the right Purim costume can be rather stressful. There are so many factors to consider: ...
For Just Such a Crisis
Purim is behind us. The kitchen counter is littered with nosh from lavish Purim baskets. There’s a lingering ringing in ...
Esther, the Megillah, and Me
Ever since I was young, I have always felt a strong connection to Purim. For most girls at that age, ...
Making Up for a Skipped Bat Mitzvah
Last month, my daughter celebrated her Bat Mitzvah. In the months before her Bat Mitzvah we moved from the Boston-area ...
What About the Women?
This question has hounded me since childhood – both in the secular world where I grew up and in the ...