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Spring/Summer 1977
In this issue: Why won’t the Jewish Theological Seminary let women be Conservative rabbis? And who are the women who want in? Truths—and some good guesses—behind the nasty sex jokes about Jewish women. Our foremother Beruriah was a woman whose word became law—literally! Divorce Jewish style: a guide for the oppressed.
“In a coma! I thought she was Jewish!”
by Susan Weidman Schneider
There are countless jokes about how sexually "unresponsive" Jewish women supposedly are. Who’s laughing—and why?
Beruriah: Her Word Became Law
by Leonard Swidler
In the second century, when women were secluded, subordinated and subservient, one woman—-Beruriah—-gained a towering reputation as a scholar, teacher and arbiter of Jewish law. Read how she argued with wit and conviction against the prevailing attitudes towards her sex.
Gentlemen’s Agreement at the Seminary
by Amy Stone
The men who make the decisions at the Jewish Theological Seminary keep turning away women who want to become Conservative rabbis. They say Conservative Judaism isn't ready for women in the pulpit, but women aspirants are determined to take the male mystique out of the Conservative rabbinate.
Circumcision Is No Insurance
by Sharon Lieberman
Jewish women have had lower rates of cervical cancer than women in other ethnic groups. Myth has it that the reason is their circumcised partners. But research on cervical cancer shows that a woman’s sexual behavior is a far more important factor than her partner’s circumcision—and Jewish women’s sexual behavior is changing.
Jewish Divorce Law
by Blu Greenberg
Life lessons from the mythological Lilith. Betty Friedan on her feminine mystique & being Jewish. Those thorny Jewish women's organizations.
Crimes Against Woman in Israel
by Joanne Yaron
The Israeli rabbinate has control over divorce-—and thus over the country’s women. Extortion by vindictive husbands whose wives want a divorce is but one of the abuses under this system.
The Crippler
poetry by Diane Levenberg
How was this Passover Different from All Other Passovers
by Reena Sigman Friedman
Looking back on the Seders, most women remember cooking and serving. ("For this we came out of Egypt?") But a growing number of women have gone beyond merely enabling their men to conduct the Seder.
First Jewish Women’s Conference Explores Personal Growth and Institutional Change
“New” Naming Ceremonies for Girls a Sephardic Tradition
UJA New Women’s Cabinet – Separate But How Equal?
Hadassah Endorses ERA
Southern California Task Force Wants Room at the Top For Women in Jewish Organizations
Fate of Israel’s New Abortion Law Uncertain with Begin Victory
WUJS Supports Women’s Rights in Jewish Organizations
NRP Women Reject Remaining “At the Mercy of the Men”
Israeli Report Exposes Foreign Ministry Discrimination Against Woman
Celebrating 300 Years of Jewish Journalism: Where Are The Women?
Susan Hersh Sachs on “Her Mothers”
Sonya A. Michel on “How to save your own life”