Feminism Encounters Traditional Judaism: Resistance and Accommodation (HBI Series on Jewish Women) [Hardcover]

Tova Hartman (Author)

Book Description

Series: HBI Series on Jewish Women | Publication Date: September 28, 2007

University professor and social activist Tova Hartman, discouraged by failed attempts to make her modern Orthodox synagogue in Jerusalem more inclusive of women, together with other worshippers, set about creating their own own, Shira Hadasha ("a new song").

Since it opened in 2002, this new synagogue's mission--to develop a religious community that embraces halakhah (Jewish law), tefillah (prayer), and feminism--has drawn thousands to services. The courageous act of creating the synagogue--against amazing odds--is testimony to Hartman's own deeply felt commitment to both feminism and modern Orthodox Judaism.

The story of the creation and ongoing development of similar "partnership minyans" in Jerusalem and elsewhere anchors and ties together this book's five essays, each of which explores a vital contact point between contemporary feminist thought and aspects of Jewish tradition. Hartman discusses three feminist analyses of Freudian psychology for reading Jewish texts; modesty and the religious male gaze; the backlash against feminism by traditional rabbis; the male imagery in liturgy; and Orthodox women and purity rituals. Throughout, Hartman emphasizes the importance of reinterpretation, asking her readers to view as "creative tensions" what seem like obvious and insurmountable contradictions between traditional and modern beliefs. Such tensions can offer unexpected connections as well as painful compromises. The conclusion revisits the construction of the synagogue as well as discusses its impediments and actualizing these types of social and religious changes.

Hartman's book will speak directly to scholars and students of gender, religion, and psychology, as well as anyone interested in the negotiation of feminism and tradition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"[Delightfully perceptive . . . [Hartman's observations of the Modern Orthodoxy movement are so insightful that this work should be required reading for students of contemporary Judaism, whether or not they have any interest in feminism."--American Jewish Libraries Newsletter

"[Hartman's new book presents a radical perspective on being a modern Orthodox Jewish feminist. She confronts every difficult issue for a feminist in Jewish practice, locates the issues in universal terms informed by the latest feminist scholarship as well as by a deep knowledge of Jewish texts, and presents innovative perspectives that are important for anyone who wishes to maintain a religious commitment and still be intellectually and spiritually honest. This book is also a powerful reminder that the debates in Halachah (Jewish law) retain their appeal to many because they are intellectually exciting even when one doesn't accept the Orthodox premises from which they begin." --Tikkun

"Stressing reinterpretation and creative tensions, Hartman juxtaposes moving personal reflection with trenchant diagnoses of the means by which and reasons why (some) Jewish traditionalists refuse to acknowledge feelings of religious marginalization and alienation experienced by (some) Jewish women . . . Recommended." --Choice

Review

"This book is an intellectual/analytical feast and a spiritual delight. Using feminist criticism and theory for deeper insights into the relationship of modern Orthodox tradition and women, Hartman comes up with fresh, surprising and varied models which critique and confirm the tradition and the feminist critiques of tradition. Not many books have crisp, solid scholarship; fewer have wisdom. This book has both." (Rabbi Irving Greenberg, President Jewish Life Network/Steinhardt Foundation ) --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 184 pages
• Publisher: Brandeis (September 28, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1584656581
• ISBN-13: 978-1584656586
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,903,132 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a scholar of religion (greater Boston), September 15, 2007

By 

a scholar of religion (Greater Boston MA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Feminism Encounters Traditional Judaism: Resistance and Accommodation (HBI Series on Jewish Women) (Hardcover)

I devoured this book. Tova Hartman, professor of gender and education in Israel, has written a brilliant and important work on the dilemmas of Modern Orthodoxy, and much, much more. Unlike so many books of this sort, however, it is not one long kvetch (complaint), but is full of many constructive suggestions for how Modern Orthodoxy, and religious tradition in general, should move forward.
The book is extremely clear, engaging, and wide-ranging. Hartman shows her range as a scholar, integrating feminist scholarship and scholarship on psychology (she was a student of Carol Gilligan at Harvard), philosophy--both secular and Jewish, and Jewish law. Her knowledge in all of these areas is deep, but she is never show-offy in how she uses it, and she explains her positions with exemplary clarity. Moreover, in each chapter, she moves back and forth between examining important religious issues (e.g. mechanisms for religious change, prayer which has males as its focus, etc.), and discussions of Shira Hadasha, the remarkable Jerusalem synagogue which she founded over a decade ago--an inspirational Orthodox synagogue that "pushes the envelope" in many ways, including the involvement of women as synagogue and prayer leaders (within limits). The synagogue has had a strong influence on synagogues in several continents, and this book, which provides insights into its development, and its theological underpinnings, is of great interest.
Feminism Encounters Jewish Religion is not a critique of tradition--it is written from within the tradition, and calls for an expansion of what tradition might mean. I am certain that many will disagree with some of what it ways--e.g., I for one, found it a bit too conservative in its attitude toward change in Jewish prayer. However the wide-ranging nature of its clear arguments make this a very important book for any scholar who is interested in mechanisms for change in religion, in Judaism, or in change in religion. But this is far from a book for scholars alone--anyone interested in how religions do and might change will be stimulated both by the book's intellectual strength, and the significant illustrations of how Hartman, and Shira Hadasha of Jerusalem, accomplished remarkable changes in a short time-period.
As a person who is deeply sympathetic on both the personal and scholarly level to the problems that Hartman is addressing in such an honest fashion, I can only hope that the book will be widely read and discussed, and will have a positive impact on the wide variety of communities that can benefit from its insights.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A courageous practical companion to navigating the jagged edges of two traditions, November 25, 2007

By 

NY and Jerusalem - See all my reviews

This review is from: Feminism Encounters Traditional Judaism: Resistance and Accommodation (HBI Series on Jewish Women) (Hardcover)

Tova Hartman is a brilliant scholar and a religious practioner, never caught up in a web of competing ideologies. She analyses the places where Judaism and feminism intersect or can be reconciled and is honest and compassionate in the places where they can only meet bearing their jagged edges. What I like most about Hartman's style is her 'straight talk.' She is direct, witty, and is biting only when necessary to make a point that has been eluding us for 10 centuries. Hartman is not afraid. She is respectful, engaging, and she is in the struggle with those of us who get a headache wondering how to teach our children and how live our lives with deep commitments to Judaism and feminism. Hartman is a courageous leader as well as a part of us and our struggle. For anyone wanting guidance and clarity, read this book and give it to all the women and men you know.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A breath of fresh air!, December 31, 2008

By 

Jill HaLevi (Charleston, SC, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Feminism Encounters Traditional Judaism: Resistance and Accommodation (HBI Series on Jewish Women) (Paperback)

I highly recommend this easily accessible collection of essays by Tova Hartman to anyone wondering how feminism and Orthodoxy can be reconciled. There are no easy answers, but this thoughtful book offers an approach that is both philosophically honest and practically sensible.