JOFA's International Conferences on Feminism & Orthodoxy are a cornerstone of JOFA activities. The conferences are attended by thousands of women and men from throughout the world and explore vitally important halakhic and social issues.
Past International Conferences
on Feminism and Orthodoxy:
- 6th International Conference - 2007
Celebrating our 10th Anniversary
V'Chai Bahem...Passion & Possibility
The Sixth International Conference on Feminism and Orthodoxy explored how to cultivate individuals who are empowered and passionate about their Jewish life, paying particular attention to the role Orthodox feminism plays in invigorating the Modern Orthodox home, school and synagogue.
Click here to view the conference program - 5th International Conference - 2004
Male and Female God Created Them:
Women and Men in Partnership
Gender roles clearly defined in Orthodox Judaism. Are they immutable? Is there a value in keeping those gender roles in today's world? Must Orthodox men relinquish some control over religious practice in order to share responsibility? The Fifth International Conference on Feminism and Orthodoxy explored these issues and numerous others as to how changing gender roles affect Jewish relationships, institutions, synagogues and schools.
Click here to view the conference program - 4th International Conference - 2002
Discovering/Uncovering/Recovering
Women in Judaism
The Fourth International Conference on Feminism and Orthodoxy explored women's invisibility in Jewish ritual, halakha and culture. Particular attention was paid to the implications of such concepts as tzniut (modesty) and kavod ha-tzibbur (women's public presence and community sensibilities) on private relationships, public policy and Jewish religious discourse. The conference examined the ways that Jewish women and their specific issues and concerns have been covered not only physically but also metaphorically and structurally in Jewish culture and religion.
Click here to view the conference program highlights - 3rd International Conference - 2000
Where Have You Come From
and Where are You Going
The Third International Conference explored issues relevant to orthodoxy and feminism including: women reciting kiddush, mothers and daughters struggling within two worlds, the next stage of women's tefillah, a women's voice at the wedding, the single women and community, orthodox feminism on the college campus, and the contemporary Sephardic woman.
Click here to view the conference program highlights - 2nd International Conference - 1998
Exploring the Impact of Feminist Values on Traditional Women's Lives
Highlights of the Second International Conference on Feminism and Orthodoxy include:
- Gender and Traditional Texts
- Women's Education: K to Infinity
- An Analysis of Halakhic Solutions to the Agunah Problem
- Feminism as Tikkun Olam
Click here to view the conference program highlights - 1st International Conference -1997
Exploring the Impact of Feminist Values on Traditional Women's Lives
Highlights of the First International Conference on Feminism and Orthodoxy include:
- Women and Learning: New Visions
- Halakha: Tradition and Reinterpretation
- Halakhic Windows of Opportunity
- Political Power: Current Realities and Future Possibilities
- Traditional Women and Self-Empowerment
Click here to view the conference program highlights
To order tapes from past conferences, click here
