JOFA: Jewish Orthodox Feminist Alliance

JOFA has compiled information about Orthodox synagogue practices relating to women.

The goal of this project is twofold:
1) To serve as a reference for Orthodox synagogues who are considering incorporating innovations pertaining to women into their synagogue practice.
2) To serve as a resource for individuals seeking to join a synagogue.

JOFA recognizes that it is not only specific practices that create a welcoming environment for women in synagogue, rather, it is an overarching value of being as inclusive of women as possible in both tangible and intangible ways.

Please note: JOFA is not associated with any of the synagogues referenced below and provides the information based on data received from individuals with first-hand knowledge regarding the practices of the synagogues. JOFA does not do independent research into the accuracy of the information about the synagogues.

We encourage readers to contact synagogues directly for further information about their practices with respect to women. We also encourage rabbis and/or members of the synagogues listed herein to update JOFA if and when practices in your synagogue change so that our website can most accurately reflect the current practices. Additionally, we welcome submissions related to other synagogues to expand our database of synagogue practices.

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Click here to view the Synagogue Practices Grid and compare practices among synagogues.

View individual synagogue practices by state and country below.

Please note that Women's Tefillah Groups and Partnership Minyanim are listed separately.

Click here for a listing of Partnership Minyanim

If you would like information about your synagogue added to the JOFA website, or have questions about this project, please contact JOFA at jofa@jofa.org or
212-679-8500.

Please provide the following information, and be as detailed as possible:

Synagogue Name
Religious Leader, Website, Email, Phone, Address
Women in Leadership Positions (Board officers, Board president, or professional religious positions)
Women Speaking from the Amud
Women's Ritual Participation (passing Torah to women's section, women saying birkhat hagomel, prayer for agunot, mother's names in misheberach or aliyot)
Women Reciting Kaddish
Women's Tefillah Group, Women's Kriyat HaTorah or Megillah
Celebration of Life Cycle Events (life cycle events for women such as Bat Mitzvah or Shalom Bat; Inclusion of mothers in celebration of son's life cycle events)
Women's Participation in Holiday Rituals/Services
Mechitzah Structure
Childcare Available During Services
Other

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Synagogues are listed by State and Country

CALIFORNIA

Congregation Beth Israel
Berkeley, CA

B’nai David-Judea
Los Angeles, CA

Congregation Beth Meir HaCohen
(Chabad of North Orange County)
Yorba Linda, CA

CONNECTICUT

Congregation Agudath Sholom
Stamford CT

ILLINOIS

Anshe Sholom B'nai Israel Congregation
Chicago, IL

Synagogue Practices

Northwestern University Hillel Orthodox Minyan
Evanston, IL

MARYLAND