alexist

At the Norwood centre, we have a "Tree of Life"--this is basically a way of remembering people who donated. Each leaf is for 1 person/donation. So, the other day as I was going past, I noticed that one was in memory of Marc Bolan. As in, the late singer of T.Rex.

(Norwood, for those who don't know/remember, is the Anglo-Jewish children and families charity.)

According to the Jerusalem Post, a woman has been ordained as an Orthodox "rabbi".

This may come as a surprise to those of you who are familiar with my feminist tendencies, but I'm not over the moon about it. I'm very much in favour of expanding women's opportunities within the limits of halacha, and think we should have a way of recognising a woman's achievements in learning, akin to semicha (ordination). I support programs like the yoatzot halacha and the madricha ruchanit (female "religious advisor" at the Hebrew Institute of Riverdale, amongst others i think). Women should be able to advise and even pasken on halacha for those who wish to abide by their decisions.

But I'm uneasy because I'm worried that this will create an unnecessary division between left-wing Modern Orthodox and the rest of Orthodoxy. It's not an unfounded fear: this happened when Conservative Judaism decided to ordain women. I believe in achdut, unity. We may certainly disagree, but I oppose steps which are needlessly divisive.

On the other hand, it must be admitted that the more right wing elements will never be satisfied... and how far should we suppress our beliefs in the name of unity? I don't know. I do think, though, that we need to work towards more of a consensus and not have to be spurred into action by a single renegade. Unfortunately, sometimes it seems we're incapable of dealing with issues--instead, we allow them to be captured by the fringes.

I'm also uneasy about Ner-David herself, who seems to hold very unusual positions for a so-called "Orthodox" Jew, and gives ammunition to those who believe that the more left-wing Modern Orthodox are Conservative in disguise. I left the Conservative movement for a reason; I don't want to become Conservative with a new name now.