Orthodox, female and running their own shuls, but don’t call them rabbis

JUDY MALTZ: It’s been a long, slow process for Orthodox women determined to enter the clergy. But recent months have seen significant strides

FOR ORTHODOX JEWISH feminists in Israel and abroad, the past few months have been something of a roller-coaster ride.

They cheered in April when Rabbanit Shira Marili Mirvis became the first Israeli woman to be appointed spiritual leader of an Orthodox congregation – for all intents and purposes, the senior rabbi at her shul.

But they suffered a devastating blow two months later when freshly ordained Rabba Lindsey Taylor-Guthartz was sacked from her teaching position at the London School of Jewish Studies. Her decision to pursue smicha (rabbinical ordination), the popular instructor was told, went against “the established position of mainstream Orthodoxy across the world,” as well as that of Britain’s Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, who oversees the school.

Neither the institution nor the chief rabbi could have foreseen the backlash that would ensue. Bowing to pressure from the Orthodox community, LSJS announced last week that it had decided to reinstate Taylor-Guthartz, who had taught there for 17 years before acquiring smicha.

In an official statement, LSJS noted that it had not changed its position on female ordination. Rather, it had reached the conclusion that since Taylor-Guthartz’s appointment was academic rather than religious, there was no reason to let her go. Orthodox feminists declared victory once again.

FULL STORY Orthodox, female and running their own shuls – just don’t call them rabbis (Haaretz)

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