Skip To Content
JEWISH. INDEPENDENT. NONPROFIT.
Life

Leah Vincent on Prioritizing Human Dignity

On February 8, B’nai Jeshurun will hold a day of learning to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Judith Plaskow’s groundbreaking book, “Standing Again at Sinai.” In the lead up to the event, The Sisterhood is asking participants questions on issues surrounding feminism and Judaism. Here, Leah Vincent, author of “Cut Me Loose: Sin and Salvation After My Ultra-Orthodox Girlhood,” discusses gender equality as an authentically Jewish value.

Lean Vincent

What’s the one thing we can do to advance gender equality in Judaism?

One thing we can do to advance gender equality in Judaism is challenge the myth that patriarchy represents a more “authentic” Judaism. Judaism has always evolved in response to its context. To paralyze Judaism in anachronistic gender inequality, is, ironically the “less authentically Jewish” act.

Judaism was built on then-progressive laws that prohibited shaming, hurtful speech, and sanctified extreme compassion, thoughtfulness and the empowerment of oppressed minorities. It is, at its core, a religion that prioritizes human dignity. A religion that is a natural champion for gender equality.

In addition, there are significant seeds within ancient Judaism that point towards the empowerment of women, from the prophet Devorah to the concept of Bas Kol (the voice of God described as a girl’s voice). These seeds could and should be nurtured into further sustenance for a renewed vision of the role of Jewish woman within their communities.

The oppression of women is immoral. Those who assert an immoral version of Judaism should be held accountable as humans and as Jews. Gender equality is an essentially Jewish value.

Tell us how you would answer in the comments and register for Meet Me at Sinai [here.][1]

[1]: Register for the full day of learning here. http://systems.bj.org/form/meet-me-at-sinai-yom-iyyun

Republish This Story

Please read before republishing

We’re happy to make this story available to republish for free, unless it originated with JTA, Haaretz or another publication (as indicated on the article) and as long as you follow our guidelines. You must credit the Forward, retain our pixel and preserve our canonical link in Google search.  See our full guidelines for more information, and this guide for detail about canonical URLs.

To republish, copy the HTML by clicking on the yellow button to the right; it includes our tracking pixel, all paragraph styles and hyperlinks, the author byline and credit to the Forward. It does not include images; to avoid copyright violations, you must add them manually, following our guidelines. Please email us at [email protected], subject line “republish,” with any questions or to let us know what stories you’re picking up.

We don't support Internet Explorer

Please use Chrome, Safari, Firefox, or Edge to view this site.