Jewish Lifecycle

The author shares the process of using Jewish texts and customs to celebrate a new stage of life.

Over time the rabbis increased the wife's power in a marriage, yet maintained the absolute right of the husband to grant a divorce.

The Seder Kabbalat Akharoot is a new ritual for accepting the loss of the dream for a biological child.

Biblical divorce law provided some protection for women by setting limits on a man's absolute power to divorce.

Writing and delivering the get (bill of divorce) is a complicated process requiring experts in Jewish divorce law.

Under certain circumstances a woman may request that a Jewish court compel the husband to perform the acts required for a Jewish divorce.

An activist for agunot traces her development from demonstrator to promoter of prenuptial agreements that help protect women in the event of a divorce.

Orthodox and Conservative rabbis have worked to create solutions within the Jewish framework, including prenuptial agreements and retroactive annulment.

When the synagogue is welcoming, the newly divorced begin to overcome their inhibitions about reconnecting to the Jewish community.

The get is the bill of divorce that the husband gives to the wife to release her from the marriage.