K’lal Yisrael - Praying for Pluralism

Looking Beyond the Surface                     For me, visiting the Kotel is a reminder of the divisions within our Jewish people. Instead of leaving with the idea that we are one, pluralistic Jewish peoplehood, the borders between each denomination are heightened. From this, I continue to feel deeply frustrated with the peoplehood I wish we could be, especially in a land that was created for the Jewish people as a whole.                 Still, attending the Women of the Wall Rosh Hodesh services has been a great learning experience and addition to my year in Israel. One of the first courses I have had in my HUC Year in Israel program, Biblical History, has taught me to question the intent behind every action of the Jewish people. We have studied the many conflicts of our history and the techniques used by our people to preserve our c...

I am a Freedom Rider      When you hear the term "Freedom Riders" you probably think back to the great activists of the Civil Rights Movement. However, I'm here to tell you about a different type of Freedom Riders but with the similar mission of paving the way for equality.      The Israel Religious Action Center (IRAC) Freedom Riders travel on bus lines through religious communities that are known to practice gender segregation. These riders serve "as models of non-segregation [and] inform other travelers that it is illegal to force segregate based on gender" (IRAC). Gender segregation in daily life is a religious rule of modesty in the Ultra-Orthodox community. However, adherence should be of choice and not forced upon through socially constructed norms.      This past Thursday, I had the opportunity to meet the Director of the Israel Religious Action Center, Noa Sattat...

June Torah Service: Police Station Aliyah      Following the detainment of two Women of the Wall supporters, the group traveled to the police station where both detainees were taken. We held our Torah service near the station to show our support and to be present when the two were free to leave. Close to one of the police station's bathrooms, we also hoped our singing and chanting could be heard by our WOW members.   =)           I had been given the honor of being called up for an aliyah (the chanting of the blessings before and after the reading of the Torah), and I was proud to be doing it. I felt as though I was representing all of the women who similarly wanted freedom of religious expression. I also felt as though it was in support of our detainees, letting them know that we were still continuing on with our prayer schedule. We would not let any setback get...

A Little Victory Thursday, June 21, 2012 – Rosh Hodesh Tamuz      This past week, I experienced my first Rosh Hodesh service with Women of the Wall. I woke up early, excited to arrive at the Kotel for the 7AM service. Tallit in hand, I stood in the back of the women's section just about ready to pray, not knowing what was in store. After being handed a siddur, I placed myself in the middle of the cluster, surrounding myself with the women of the wall. Similar to the stones of the Western Wall, separated enough to fit a prayer into but united enough to withstand time, the Women of the Wall are an enduring group. While each woman came from a different background, we all joined together for a common purpose: freedom of religious expression.      I had heard about recent detainments for wearing a tallit, a prayer shawl, and while I was a bit apprehensive, I was ready to stand up f...