When you hear the phrase “Jewish feminist” or “Jewish feminism,” what do you think of? What kind of activism does it evoke? How much does it evoke work for change inside the Jewish community vs. work in the big world? What kind of people does it make you think of?
I’m working on an essay on Jewish feminism and activism, and I’m, you know, just curious.
I always found it somewhat of an oxymoron having grown up in what I consider a typical New York Jewish family, i.e. with powerful, dominant women in a highly matriarchal extended family. Though I had heard that some other cultures had womenfolks who were oppressed and reacting by turning to feminism, it was a very remote concept to me. What did Jews need with feminism when our women were running the show?
But as to your question, it inspires in me thoughts of women who first and foremost are working for change in their family and culture and religion, and secondly in the world. By specifically labeling them Jewish as opposed to merely feminists, it naturally limits my expectation to Jewish issues.
No one comes to mind quickly, I must say. I can recall several whom I think of ‘feminists who are Jewish” but not any “Jewish Feminsts.”
Bella, baby.
first i hear gloria steinem, then i start thinking about jofa.
Oh, man. I just heard Letty Cottin Pogrebin speak, and the awesomest thing she said was, “To be a Jew is to be a troublemaker,” and I don’t think there’s a single way to improve upon that except to say that it best applies to Jewish feminists. Jfems make me think of nothing so much of trouble-making of the most glorious sort–informed, intellegent stirring-up of the stacked status quo, bringing to the incredibly worthy work of feminists some of the best of Jewishness–the hard-won knowledge, the stamina to keep going, the slightly mischevious and slightly self-depricating sense of humor–and bringing to Judaism an enormous opportunity to explore deeper, think harder and make good on our committment to improving the world. I think it’s a natural combination, and beautiful one. Of course, it’s always possible that my workplace environment has brainwashed me…
–Mel Weiss
Ed. Assistant
Lilith Magazine
My friend Jacob thinks that jewish women, particularly Jewish Feminists are some of the strongest people he knows.
Tamar says that she thinks of her friends, colleagues, and peers. And that while it starts in the Jewish community, it moves out into the greater world. She imagines strong people, committed to working in a framework, of sorts, who are driven by love and passion, who are really committed to changing things, judaism, the world. To be good role models for everyone, in the same way other women have been role models for her. Lots of folks are afraid of the word feminism, they think its a dirty word. Often they will say “I am not a feminist, but…” and go on to advocate for feminist goals. By saying that they are not acknowledging the contributions that previous generations of feminists have made to their own lives. A big part of this is an inability to articulate their desires and their wants, to ask for more than they have been given.