“When asked to define myself, I usually rattle off my list of labels, my identity salad.
Human. Mom. Wife. American. Israeli. Religious-Zionist. Activist. Liberal. Orthodox-Feminist. ADHD…
Although the Orthodox-feminist movement began before I was born, I did not identify with it until I was an adult. I didn’t know there were others questioning the status quo, unable to be contained by kol kvoda bat melech pnima, the honor of a princess is internal — the idea that nice Jewish girls should be gentle and retiring. I didn’t know that I wasn’t alone in wishing that I could have a deeper relationship with the religion that shaped every waking moment of my life, while remaining true to my self-worth and need for representation. Or in wanting more through knowledge and skills, an education that was not allotted to me growing up as an Orthodox girl.
Orthodox feminism provided me with a space and community where I could safely learn, grow, and challenge in such a way that long overdue change became possible and eventually even the norm in many places.
I’m not alone anymore.
I stand with my sisters on firm halakhic and societal ground in my participation in ritual, in standing up for agunot, in deciphering a difficult Tosafot during a daf yomi learning session. Thankfully, times have changed. ”
