The Female Jew gives you a unique opportunity to study the surprising past, pioneering present and challenging future of women in Judaism.

The course honestly and unapologetically addresses a wide range of vital issues that face Jewish women today. It examines ideas about female education, sexuality, lifecycle, exclusion, politics, prayer and public-private presence.

The course is open to both men and women who are interested in this sometimes hotly debated, far-reaching and important subject:

1st term – Textual Women. How do our classic texts examine women’s lives? Through Tanach, Talmud and Midrash, you will explore the different images of princesses, prophetesses and seductresses.

2nd term – Halachic Women. How does Jewish Law shape and construct the lives, self-image and experience of women? Studies will include looking at ‘time-bound’ mizvot, candle-lighting, mikveh, hair-covering, kol isha, mechitza and education.

3rd term – Modern Women. How does modernity challenge and influence our responses to traditional life? You will examine many issues including: leadership roles, tefillah groups, fertility,simchat bat, bat mitzvah, rosh chodesh groups, yo’atzot halacha, ultra-orthodoxy and feminism

The Female Jew is your chance to ask everything you ever wanted to know about the role of women in Judaism and to have your voice heard in this sometimes contentious and central debate.

teaching faculty

R. Harvey Belovski

Sally Berkovic

Felicia Epstein

Maureen Kendler

Dr Leya Landau

R. Natan Levy

R. David Mason

R. Michael Pollak

Lindsay Simmonds

Lindsey Taylor-Guthartz

Dr Tamra Wright

Study times & term dates

Students have two options of study times:

Option 1: Mon 1:00pm – 3:00pm

Option 2: Mon 8.00pm – 10:00pm

1st term: 25 Oct – 13 Dec 2010

2nd term: 17 Jan – 14 March 2011