Shattering the Glass Ceiling: Jewish Women Call for Change

Mondays: Jan. 13, 27; Feb. 10, 24; Mar. 10
7:00 - 8:30 PM on Zoom

Inspired by the American women’s movement of the 1960’s and early 1970’s, American Jewish women sought greater equality in Jewish religious and communal life. In the span of less than 50 years, they achieved their goals: women now serve as rabbis and cantors, and as synagogue officers and organizational leaders; new liturgy and life cycle rituals have been created; women have greater access to traditional Jewish learning; and a vast body of feminist scholarship has emerged. Using primary sources and visuals, we will explore these remarkable developments, emphasizing the impact they have had on Jewish women as well as the ways in which they have transformed Judaism.

Dr. Reena Sigman Friedman is Associate Professor of Modern Jewish History at the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College, as well as Adjunct Professor of Jewish History at Gratz College. She is the author of These Are Our Children: Jewish Orphanages in the United States, 1880-1925, several encyclopedia entries, and numerous scholarly articles. Dr. Friedman lectures widely on topics relating to various aspects of American Jewish History.