In a packed double lecture hall with more than 70 women in attendance, Center for Women’s Justice director Dr. Susan Weiss delivered a presentation on CWJ’s work with agunot, mamzerim, and converts. The venue was the 16th National Masorti Women’s Study Day, an outstanding event that drew about 400 women from around the country and exposed them to the wisdom of the country’s leading scholars and noted lecturers. The multitude of fascinating sessions was conducted in four different languages.
Although the issues Dr. Weiss discussed were especially relevant to women and children, the underlying message of the lecture was how the current conflation of religion and state in Israel hurts everyone in society, and must be changed to a more equitable and fair system.
In order to underscore this point, Dr. Weiss provided a comprehensive overview of the problems with the blacklist, the register that the Israeli rabbinate keeps of people who have limitations on whether or not they may marry due to personal status issues. This is a heavily gendered issue, as most of the people on the blacklist are women who have been denied their divorces, women who are suspected of extramarital affairs, Jews whose conversions' legitimacy are being questioned (most of whom are women), and all of these women's children. The presentation expanded on how this blacklist, and the rabbinical courts that compile it, infringe on Israeli citizens' human right to privacy and freedom of personal choice.
Dr. Weiss’s lecture reached far more than just those who heard her speak, though; one of the attendees told us afterwards that she found the lecture so fascinating and disturbing that she shared the source sheets with a friend who hadn’t been there, who, in turn, is making copies to distribute to her synagogue. CWJ is educating Israelis about the problems that arise when there is no separation between religious and state authority, and they are taking their knowledge and making change with it.
Kudos to Diane Friedgut, the tireless volunteer who organized this excellent event, along with her team. Our deep gratitude goes to CWJ volunteer Phyllis Rosenbaum, whose dedicated work and support made CWJ’s presence at the Masorti Women’s Study Day possible, and who is helping advance the mission of CWJ through her involvement in our various projects. Great thanks too to Harvard undergrad Talia Weisberg, CWJ’s Israel Experience summer intern, who is lending her expertise and talents in research, graphic arts, and writing to helping CWJ advance our work.
CWJ extends gratitude to the following supporters whose direct assistance is ensuring that our educational message reaches the Israeli public and builds momentum for change: David Berg Foundation, Greater Miami Jewish Federation Women’s Amutot Initiative, Jewish Women’s Fund of Atlanta, Jewish Women’s Foundation of South Palm Beach County, the Miriam Fund and the Tikkun Olam Women’s Foundation of Greater Washington, as well as to donors whose general support provides a secure foundation for advancing this key project.
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