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.
The Other ‘F’ Word
Feminism has become a dirty word.In discussions with students, this is what I hear: “Sure, I think women should get ...
Blessing the Shabbat Lights – A “Modern” Jewish Ritual
The quintessential image of home, holiness, and Jewish motherhood is that of a woman blessing the Shabbat candles, performing a ...
Signing a Post-Nup: A Love Story
As I walked in the door from a long day at work, I started receiving calls and emails from friends ...
Reciting Kaddish in Unconventional and Unorthodox Circumstances
There were a couple of times when I said Kaddish in some unconventional or “unorthodox” circumstances, but they were quite ...
Owning Our Heritage: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
“To celebrate freedom and democracy while forgetting America’s origins in a slavery economy is patriotism a’ la carte.” A recent ...
Lessons I Learned From Reciting Kaddish for Mom
The recitation of Kaddish benefits both the soul of the departed loved one, as well as the mourner.
Women in Rashi’s Time: It Wasn’t the Dark Ages for Them
On July 27, the 29th of Tammuz, I will observe the 909th yahrtzeit of Rabbi Shlomo Yizhaki, better known as ...
Shelo Asani Isha
It was mid-August and the air conditioning was broken in the café on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. Across ...
Finding a Place at the JOFA UK Conference
“You’re thinking of going to a conference on Orthodox Feminism? But that can’t exist. Besides, you don’t hate men or ...
Life as a Female Semicha Student
When I was young, I was drawn to the study of Torah as a way to get closer to God ...