Activism

Content type
Collection

Taube Kaplan

Taube Kaplan (the Greene Rebitzin) was the principal fundraiser and founder of the Hebrew Maternity Ward, founded in 1916 in the Plateau-Mont Royal neighborhood of Montréal, Quebec. Her efforts contributed to a reduction in maternal and infant mortality in Montreal’s Jewish community. Kaplan also raised funds for the establishment of the Jewish General Hospital, which opened its doors in 1934. 

Julie Kay Headshot

7 Questions For Julie F. Kay

Sarah Groustra

JWA chats with internationally recognized human rights lawyer Julie F. Kay.

'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. 

Aliza Shatzman Headshot cropped

Q & A with Aliza Shatzman, founder of the Legal Accountability Project

Zia Saylor

JWA talks to Aliza Shatzman, founder of the Legal Accountability Project.

Topics: Law, Boycotts, Protests
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.

"Alex" by Dena Eber

7 Questions For Photographer Dena Eber

Sarah Groustra

JWA talks to Dena Eber about her passion for photography and her new book You Refuse to Believe That You Ever Liked Pink.

Charlotte Charlaque

Finding Strength in My Transcestor

Ariadne Wolf

My great-aunt Charlotte has taught me so much. But until recently, I didn't even know she existed. 

Episode 112: Oral History Showcase: Mollie's Fight for Gay Rights

Dr. Mollie Wallick didn't set out to be a gay rights activist; she stumbled into the role in 1983, when she was a guidance counselor at Louisiana State University’s medical school in New Orleans. In this episode of Can We Talk?, you’ll hear excerpts from Mollie’s 2005 interview for the “Women Who Dared” oral history project. As we kick off pride month, Mollie’s story reminds us how much has changed in just a few decades—language, attitudes, and policies. And it offers a glimpse of what it was like to be an advocate for gay students at a time when their school, and society in general, offered few resources and many obstacles.

Collage of campfire

Assessing Accessibility at Jewish Summer Camps

Julia Brode Kroopkin

There are serious barriers to the classic, magical overnight Jewish summer camp experience.

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.

"The Book Of Jerusalem" Cover

"The Book of Jerusalem" by Julia Vinograd

Mildred Faintly

Out of her personal suffering and poetic genius, Julia Vinograd created an iconic image of Jerusalem that is powerful, feminist, and unforgettably, startlingly modern.

Collage with a Jewish star in the center surrounded by pieces of paintings.

Embracing the Mosaic of Pluralism

Sydney Burgess

This is the beauty of Judaism: when one connects with others from different denominations, merging can be amazing.

Collage of jewish text, a woman reading and a star of david

How My ADHD Connected Me to Judaism

Sara Weinstein

My ADHD gave me a constant desire for emotional escape, which allowed me to enter a world where I learned about my Jewish foremothers.

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.

Collage of the Kotel and people part of the organization, Women of the Wall

Anat Hoffman and Jewish Women’s Access to the Kotel

Talia Waxman

Hearing about Hoffman's work had a significant impact on my confidence and ability to forge my own religious path.  

Donate

Help us elevate the voices of Jewish women.

donate now

Get JWA in your inbox

Read the latest from JWA from your inbox.

sign up now