Activism

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Kosher Camera

pJewishMisanthropy announces "Kosher Camera" that erases women in real time

Leah Berkenwald

Yesterday eJewish Philanthropy released a special, satirical Purim edition of their usual newsletter called pJewishMisanthropy. The whole thing is absolutely hilarious--at least it should be to any of us working in the Jewish communal world who read often-vague articles about the future of "peoplehood," "Jewish innovation," "leadership," and "engagement" in the ever-changing Jewish American/Israeli landscape. Still, one story in particular caught my attention.

Birth Control

Enthusiastic agitators: Jewish women on birth control

Leah Berkenwald

I'm not the first one to point out how outrageous it is that in 2012, birth control is a controversial political issue.

V-Day Logo

Thanks to Eve Ensler, every day is V-Day

Alan Kravitz

To millions of people all over the world, V-Day means much more than roses and a romantic dinner.

Hanna Weinberg

Remembering Hanna Weinberg, pioneering advocate for domestic abuse victims

Alan Kravitz

For women in the Orthodox Jewish community, domestic abuse is still too often suffered in silence.

Eve Ellis

JWA's Greatest Hits: Why I no longer support Susan G. Komen

Eve Ellis

It is with a heavy heart and an angry mind, that I have raised and donated my last dollar for Komen.

Susan G. Komen for the Cure Logo

Susan G. Komen halts partnership with Planned Parenthood

Leah Berkenwald

Today we learned that Susan G. Komen For The Cure, the nation's leading breast cancer charity, is ending its partnership with Planned Parenthood in a move that will result in a major loss of funding for breast exams at Planned Parenthood. Last year, Komen grants totaling roughly $680,000 were distributed to at least 19 Planned Parenthood affiliates to fund breast exams and other breast-health services.

Paula Hyman, 1946 - 2011

We should hear her when we need courage to oppose sexism, whether political, historical, or unconscious; when we strive to balance family commitments with demands of career; and when we seek to follow in her footsteps to chart new paths in making and writing Jewish history.

Susan Rosenberg's "An American Radical"

Susan Rosenberg, An American Radical

Judith Rosenbaum

I guess it’s inevitable, when you’re at a book talk by a 1970s radical political activist who was wanted by the FBI, went underground, got arrested, and spent 16 and a half years behind bars, that someone will ask  “How do you understand what you did and why?” Susan Rosenberg made an honest attempt to answer a complex question, ending with a shrug and the explanation, “That's a different book.”

Sexual Violence Against Jewish Women During the Holocaust

The abortion/Holocaust analogy and the reality of abortion during the Holocaust

Chanel Dubofsky

A few months ago, a friend of mine told me about a screening of the film "180" at her university.

"In the Land of Blood and Honey" Movie Poster, 2011

"In the Land of Blood and Honey" premieres at Holocaust Memorial Museum

Kate Bigam

Angelina Jolie (not a Jewess but a definite do-gooder) visited the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum last week to premiere In the Land of Blood and Honey, a film she wrote, directed, and co-produced.

Topics: Activism, Holocaust, Film
Miriam and Aaron Complain Against Moses

They will spit: In the tradition of Miriam, Jewish women will continue to challenge the establishment

Susan Reimer-Torn

The ultra-orthodox establishment in Israel is reportedly losing sleep over women’s demands for equality.

Black History Month: Wednesdays in Mississippi

Judith Rosenbaum

You might think that I – a public historian – would love the opportunities on our public calendar to celebrate historical figures and communities. But truth be told, I’m a bit of a skeptic.

"Thank G-D for creating me according to your will"

Melissa Scholten-Gutierrez

Three years ago I had the opportunity to visit the rare books room at the Jewish Theological Seminary (JTS) library. I saw many interesting things, but one that would change my life forever.

Sarah Silverman on Complex.com's List of Hot Jewish Women

Are lists of "hot" Jewish women kosher?

Leah Berkenwald

This week on the Sisterhood, Naomi Zeveloff wrote:

'Hot Jews' and the Peril of Ethnic Fetishism

‘Tis the season for year-end lists, and the pop culture web site Complex.com has come out with one that places them squarely in skeez territory: the 50 hottest Jewish women, a catalog of actresses, porn stars, and models with Semitic heritage.

Topics: Feminism, Journalism
Debbie Friedman

The Lives They Lived: Jewish women to remember in 2011

Leah Berkenwald

“[Debbie Friedman] emphasized the value of every voice and the power of song to help us express ourselves and become our best selves. As she wrote for JWA's online exhibit Jewish Women and the Feminist Revolution: 'The more our voices are heard in song, the more we become our lyrics, our prayers, and our convictions.' The woman who wrote the song that asks God to 'help us find the courage to make our lives a blessing' herself modeled for us what that looks like.”—Judith Rosenbaum.
Learn more >>

Top 10 Moments for Jewish Women in 2011

Jewesses With Attitude
10. We celebrated the 40th anniversary of Our Bodies, Ourselves

Documentary "Gloria: In Her Own Words" premieres on HBO

August 15, 2011

On August 15, 2011, the documentary Gloria: In Her Own Words premiered on HBO.

Paula Hyman Portrait

Honoring Paula Hyman, z"l, by continuing to ask questions

Ellen K. Rothman

Last Friday, I joined members of the Jewish Women’s Archive “family” on a sad drive to New Haven for the funeral of Paula Hyman, who died on Thursday at the much-too-early age of 65. The Lucy G. Moses Professor of Modern Jewish History at Yale for the past 25 years, Paula was, in the words of the New York Times, “a social historian who pioneered the study of women in Jewish life and became an influential advocate for women’s equality in Jewish religious practice.”

Jewish veterans of 1960s women’s movement convened at New York University

April 10, 2011

On April 10, 2011, Jewish veterans of the 1960s women’s liberation movement gathered at New York University for a conference on "Women's Liberation and Jewish Identity." Conceived and planned by Br

Institute for Educators 2012 | Jewish Women's Archive

The Power of Our Stories

Jewish Women's Archive

Women should be seen AND heard in Israel

Leah Berkenwald

Extremist Ulta-Orthodox groups in Israel are trying to erase images of women from public space.

Screenshot of a Conversation with Apple's Siri

Siri may seem Jewish, but she wont help you with family planning

Leah Berkenwald

Back in October, eJewishPhilanthropy ran an article by Leo Margul joking about a "Jewish update" to the Apple iPhone's automated personal assistant, Siri. "Jewish Siri" has all sorts of features to simplify the life of the modern Jew, like automatic sweater notifications so that everytime the weather dips below 75 degrees, Siri will notify your parents that you are indeed wearing a sweater. (Read more at The Jewish Week, via Rabbi Jason Miller.)

Frances Goldin, 87-year-old Occupy protester unsuccessfully tries to get arrested

Leah Berkenwald

In response to the police crackdown on Occupy protests across the country, thousands of people assembled with renewed energy at Occupy Wall Street on November 17th, dubbed the Occupy Wall Street Day of Action. While most protesters understand there is a chance they might be arrested, one protester was actively trying to make that happen. Frances Goldin, 87, has been arrested nine times for civil disobedience; her goal is to make it 12.

Interfaith leaders rally to raise awareness of homelessness among LGBTQ youth

Chanel Dubofsky

When I moved to New York City, I was told that there are a set of rules one should follow in order to ride the subway safely.

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