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Feminism

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Collection
Melissa Klapper Headshot 2024

Writing Jewish Women Into America's Story

Sally Wiener Grotta

JWA chats with Melissa R. Klapper about her groundbreaking work on American Jewish women’s history, including her forthcoming book, The Civil War Diary of Emma Mordecai.

'Styx' Translation Book Cover

Q & A with Poet and Translator Mildred Faintly

Deborah Leipziger

JWA talks to Mildred Faintly about her recently published translation of Else Lasker-Schüler's book of poetry, Styx.

Dr. Ruth Westheimer

The Radical Legacy of Dr. Ruth

Rebecca L. Davis

The history of sex and sexuality in America is replete with episodes of repression and censure. But from Dr. Ruth, we learn an alternative narrative of joyful candor.

"Botannica Tirannica" exhibition

Q & A with Artist Giselle Beiguelman

Sarah Groustra

JWA talks to Brazilian artist Giselle Beiguelman about her "Botannica Tirannica" exhibition, which explores how common botanical names both mirror and perpetuate societal prejudices. 

Collage of four women standing

The Harm of Modesty Policing

Halleli Abrams Gerber

Feeling like my value was my body—either as a commodity or as a distraction—robbed me of confidence and comfort.

Topics: Feminism, Jewish Law
I love RVF collage

Reflecting on Gender and My Year in RVF

Jessica Primus

Our society associates femininity with weakness, so was validating to learn that other members of my cohort had similar experiences with sexism.

Topics: Writing, Feminism
Judy Ruden Cropped

Where Are They Now? RVF Alum Judy Ruden

Sarah Biskowitz

JWA talks to Rising Voices Fellowship alum Judy Ruden, an incoming first-year student at University of Texas-Austin, for our series marking the tenth anniversary of the fellowship. 

Vivian Silver

When my beloved friend Vivian Silver was believed to be taken hostage by Hamas on October 7th, and later when her death that day on Kibbutz Be’eri was confirmed, many people shared anecdotes and posted tributes about her lifelong habit of speaking truth to power. This extremely nice activist from Winnipeg evoked powerful memories, layered with admiration for her bold vision, beliefs, and actions.

Ariella Davidov Headshot

7 Questions For Gender Justice Coordinator Ariella Davidov

Sarah Biskowitz

JWA chats with Ariella Davidov, Gender Justice Coordinator at the Office of the Queens Borough President in New York City. 

Episode 114: Can We Talk? 2023-24 Season Wrap

In this episode of Can We Talk?, Jen, Nahanni, and Judith recap the past two seasons of the podcast, in which we entered the uncharted territory of a post-October 7 world. We discuss our approach to creating episodes about Jewish women’s responses to the attack on Israel and the ensuing war in Gaza, while still making space to tell stories about other aspects of Jewish life.

Sofia Isaias-Day 2024 Cropped

Where Are They Now? RVF Alum Sofia Isaias-Day

Sarah Biskowitz

JWA talks to Rising Voices Fellowship alum Sofia Isaias-Day for our series marking the 10th anniversary of the fellowship.

Collage with lots of bright colors and the words "BBYO"

Let's Make BBYO Gender Inclusive

Aria Lynn-Skov

The gendered nature of BBYO has made it more difficult for me to connect with my Jewish identity and to find a community where I feel like I belong. 

Topics: Feminism
Rose Clubok cropped

Where Are They Now? RVF Alum Rose Clubok

Sarah Biskowitz

JWA talks to Rising Voices Fellowship alum Rose Clubok for our series marking the 10th anniversary of the fellowship.

Eleanor Harris Headshot cropped

Where Are They Now? RVF Alum Eleanor Harris

Sarah Biskowitz

JWA talks to Rising Voices Fellowship alum Eleanor Harris for our series marking the 10th anniversary of the fellowship.

Episode 109: Oral History Showcase: Ronya's Liberation Story

When Ronya Schwaab was a young girl, the highlight of her year was preparing for Pesach—the snow was melting, and she got to help bake matzos. Ronya was born in 1909 in Belarus. She grew up amidst the violence and antisemitism of World War I and the Russian Revolution, and immigrated to America as a teenager. As an adult, Ronya devoted her life to helping other Jews escape from the Soviet Union. In this episode of Can We Talk?, you’ll hear excerpts from an interview she did in 1997 for the “Women Whose Lives Span the Century '' oral history project, a partnership between JWA and Temple Israel of Boston. Her testimony is one of hundreds in JWA’s Tanner Oral History Collection.

"Letters from Rifka" book cover

From 'Rifka' to a Lifelong Love of Jewish Books

Isadora Kianovsky

It was through Jewish books that I, and many women like me, learned to challenge the world around us, just as Rifka did. 

"What We Bring" by Andi Arnovitz

Q & A with Artist Andi Arnovitz about her new piece, "What We Bring"

Jen Richler

JWA talks to Israeli artist Andi Arnovitz about her new (JWA-inspired!) piece, What We Bring, currently on display at the Jerusalem Biennale. 

 

 

Collage of Avril Lavigne

Hey, Hey, You, You, I Don't Like Your (Girlfriend) Song

Jessica Primus

The incredibly problematic lyrics Avril Lavigne and others performed reflected a cultural acceptance of sexism at the time.

Topics: Music, Feminism
Woman with long brown hair, dark rimmed glasses and dark shirt

Q & A with Leah Berkenwald, Co-Creator of "A Feminist Romance Novel, Podcast!"

Sarah Groustra

JWA chats with Leah Berkenwald, co-creator of the new audio-drama, A Feminist Romance Novel, Podcast! Temptations at Sweetwater Creek.

Book cover that reads "JPS Tanakh: Gender-Sensitive Edition" - blue and brown letters on white background

What's a "Gender-Sensitive" Bible Translation?

Rabbi Beth Lieberman
Dr. Elias Sacks

The new translation empowers readers to view the Bible with fresh eyes.

Topics: Feminism, Bible, Theology
Collage of "The Baby-Sitters Club"

Netflix's "The Baby-Sitters Club" Brings Humanity to Girlhood

Lily Katz

What can tweens turn to in order to feel heard, understood, and empowered?  I believe the answer lies in the first season of Netflix’s adaptation of "The Baby-Sitters Club."

Topics: Television, Feminism
Collage of the "Barbie" Movie

Feminism, Sexism, and the "Barbie" Movie

Roz Larsen

Barbie's core message that women can transcend their “assigned” roles and defy societal double standards may not have landed with everyone.

Topics: Film, Feminism

Episode 106: A Pocket of Hope: Israeli Women Building a Shared Future

“From the deepest crises come the clearest visions…We're fighting for our lives. We're fighting for our future,” says Sally Abed from Standing Together, a grassroots political movement in Israel. In this episode of Can We Talk?, we hear from Jewish and Palestinian citizens of Israel who are working on shared society initiatives, even in the midst of the war. Sally, as well as Hanan Alsanah, Ayesha Ziadna, Khitam Abu Bader, and Racheli Geffen, talk about how the war has affected their lives, work, and identity; the unique qualities women bring to social justice work; and their vision for a shared future. Jen Richler recorded their remarks during a women’s mission to Israel in January 2024 co-organized by the Jewish Women’s Archive.

A Court of Thorns and Roses Book Cover: red background with black dragon in the background, Sarah J Maas at the bottom

A Cult Favorite with Jewish, Feminist Themes

Dr. Jamie Ehrenpreis

In her hugely popular fantasy series, Sarah J. Maas puts Jewish texsts and biblical women at the forefront. 

Topics: Fiction, Bible, Feminism
Headshot of Emma Mair with shoulder-length light brown hair and tortoiseshell glasses, posing in front of trees

Where Are They Now? RVF Alum Emma Mair

Sarah Biskowitz

JWA talks to Rising Voices Fellowship alum Emma Mair for our series marking the 10th anniversary of the fellowship.

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