January 2024 Book Talks

JWA Book Talks provide opportunities to explore literature by and/or about Jewish women in conversation with JWA's CEO Judith Rosenbaum. Join our upcoming series on Thursdays January 11-30, for conversations with authors Jennifer Rosner, Julia Watts Belser with Judith Plaskow, and Susan Kahn. Register here.

Thursday, Jan 11, 8 PM ET—Jennifer Rosner, Once We Were Home

Based on the true stories of Jewish children stolen during World War II, Once We Were Home by Jennifer Rosner raises questions of complicity and responsibility as it confronts what it really means to find home.

Thursday, Jan 18, 12 PM ET*—Julia Watts Belser, Loving Our Own Bones: Disability Wisdom and the Spiritual Subversiveness of Knowing Ourselves Whole, in conversation with Judith Plaskow 

*Please note that this talk is at 12 PM ET

A spiritual companion and deep dive that reimagines disability in the Bible and contemporary culture, Loving Our Own Bones will foster and enrich conversations about disability, spirituality, and social justice.

Live Captioning will be provided.

Thursday, Jan 25, 8 PM ET—Susan Kahn, Canine Pioneer: The Extraordinary Life of Rudolphina Menzel 

Canine Pioneer tells the story of Rudolphina Menzel, a Viennese-born Jewish scientist whose pioneering research on canine psychology, development, and behavior shaped the ways dogs came to be trained and understood. She originated the canine infrastructure of what became the state of Israel. 

Register here!

February 2024 Film Club

Join JWA this February to discuss movies by and about Jewish women that touch on issues of importance in the past and present. View the films at your convenience, then join us for a conversation with an expert on each film and its subject matter. Register here.

Thursday, Feb 1, 8 PM ET—Under G-d, with Elly C.

This short documentary, directed by Paula Eiselt, explores the experiences of Jewish women affected by the 2022 Dobbs decision overturning Roe v. Wade, as well as the lawsuits launched by rabbis, Jewish organizations, and interfaith leaders challenging Dobbs on the basis of religious liberty.

One of the film’s central subjects, Elly is a Jewish pro-choice activist in Indiana and a co-founder and co-chair of Hoosier Jews for Choice.

*Stream on PBS.

Thursday, Feb 8, 8 PM ET—The Women's Balcony, with Rachel Harris (guest moderated by Rabbi Lila Kagedan)

In this 2016 Israeli comedy, an accident during a bar mitzvah celebration leads to a gender rift in a Mizrahi Orthodox community in Jerusalem. A rousing tale about women speaking truth to patriarchal power.

Dr. Rachel S. Harris is the Gimelstob Chair, serving as Director of Jewish Studies and Professor of Cinema and Media Studies at Florida Atlantic University, and editor in chief of The Journal of Jewish Identities. She is the author of several books, including Warriors, Witches, Whores: Women in Israeli Cinema (2017).

*Stream on Amazon.

Thursday, Feb 15, 8 PM ET—Funny Girl, with Barrie Gelles

The classic Oscar-winning film, loosely based on the life of Jewish singer and comedienne Fanny Brice, was Barbra Streisand’s first film and breakout Hollywood role.

Dr. Barrie Gelles is a theater scholar, director, and teacher. She teaches at New York University and is currently turning her research into a cabaret that will premiere in January 2024.

*Stream on Amazon.

Register here!