Gender & Sexuality
Photo by Mando Gomez (CC)
Some of the most influential names in the 20th and 21st century feminist movement — Betty Friedan, Gloria Steinem, Judy Chicago, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Eve Ensler, Anita Diamant — have been Jewish women. Together, these pioneers helped to shed light on women’s unequal status within American society. Their collective impact continues to guide and inspire gender rights’ activists today working on critical issues like abortion, equal pay in the workplace, and anti-domestic violence work, and bring light to issues affecting men and boys as well.
Meanwhile, with a number of states — from New York and California to Iowa and New Hampshire — voting on gay marriage and civil union rights in the last few years, LGBT issues are at the forefront of American policy and conversation. While religious influences have undoubtedly posed significant challenges to granting gender and sexuality rights, Jewish tradition has also made great strides on both fronts. The Reform, Reconstructionist and Conservative movements all welcome women and queer/trans people into congregations, communal life, and positions of leadership. The Orthodox community is beginning to engage on both queer awareness and female rabbinical leadership, as well. And from the pioneering feminist magazine Lilith, to the Jewish Orthodox Feminist Alliance and the LGBT-organization Nehirim, these issues are increasingly being tackled from within a Jewish perspective.
Ways to Serve Now
- Be a volunteer grant-writer for a gender or LGBT-focused organization.
- Volunteer at a LGBT health center.
- Be a mentor, through a local Big Brothers Big Sisters, or Boys and Girls Club organization
- Participate in a fundraising breast cancer awareness walk/run.
- Donate to a female entrepreneur in a developing country through Kiva
- Volunteer at a battered women and children and/or battered men’s shelter, or at a sexual assault hotline.
Find more opportunities at Repair the World’s service opportunities page.
Learn More
Do Black Hats Come in Pink? Steven I. Weiss, Slate, 1.2010
Jewish Feminist Blogs, Compiled by the Jewish Orthodox Feminist Alliance (JOFA)
Religion and Women Nicholas D. Kristoff, The New York Times, 1.2010
Why Straight People go to Gay Synagogues: And What We Can Learn from Them Jay Michaelson, Forward, 6,2009
The First Bat-Mitzvah Judith K. Eisenstein, My Jewish Learning
Overview of Domestic Violence Jewish Women International
Shame of Sexual Abuse Among Believers Rebecca Dube, Forward, 3.2009
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