K’lal Yisrael - Praying for Pluralism

     Father of Zionism, Theodor Herzl, once stated, " We are organizing Jewry for its coming destiny. ” Herzl’s statement, made before the establishment of Israel, still applies to today. While we now have the “longed for” state of Israel, the Jewish people continue striving to make Eretz Yisrael a better place for future generations.      Tonight will be the seventh night of Chanukkah, and while we remember the faith we placed in  G-d during the battles waged long ago, it is easy to recognize that same faith today--faith that we the Women of the Wall will make a difference, spark change, and maybe one day guide us to religious pluralism. Today, there were four detainments at the Kotel. Although there is no law stating that women's use of tallitot are illegal, the detainments persist. Among the detainees was:  Rabbi Elyse Frishman.                 L to R: Alli Cohen & Rabbi Frishman outside Kislev Police Station      Outside of Kislev Police Station, I waited

         It is 1:15AM, and I just returned home from the Hadassah and WOW Women’s Night at the Kotel so filled with emotion. At the same time, both anger and passion encompass me, and all I can hope for is that one day things will be different. However, all I can be sure of is that I will continue fighting for what I believe in.          As an HUC-WOW liaison, I gathered about ten volunteers to help usher in the Hadassah women and song-lead for what was to be a spiritual and peaceful event. It may have not been peaceful, but it was definitely moving! This evening was supposed to commemorate the joining together of women from all different backgrounds to be one at the Kotel. Hadassah, the Women’s Zionist Organization of America, has assembled in Jerusalem for Hadassah’s 100 th Anniversary, and tonight we had hoped to celebrate womanhood together! Our niggun came to an end without regard to the shushing noises coming from both the men’s section over the mechitza as well as som

Looking Beyond the Surface                     For me, visiting the Kotel is a reminder of the divisions within our Jewish people. Instead of leaving with the idea that we are one, pluralistic Jewish peoplehood, the borders between each denomination are heightened. From this, I continue to feel deeply frustrated with the peoplehood I wish we could be, especially in a land that was created for the Jewish people as a whole.                 Still, attending the Women of the Wall Rosh Hodesh services has been a great learning experience and addition to my year in Israel. One of the first courses I have had in my HUC Year in Israel program, Biblical History, has taught me to question the intent behind every action of the Jewish people. We have studied the many conflicts of our history and the techniques used by our people to preserve our cultural identity when living in close proximity of others. Studying the archaeological remains is one way we have been able to examine the lifes

I am a Freedom Rider      When you hear the term "Freedom Riders" you probably think back to the great activists of the Civil Rights Movement. However, I'm here to tell you about a different type of Freedom Riders but with the similar mission of paving the way for equality.      The Israel Religious Action Center (IRAC) Freedom Riders travel on bus lines through religious communities that are known to practice gender segregation. These riders serve "as models of non-segregation [and] inform other travelers that it is illegal to force segregate based on gender" (IRAC). Gender segregation in daily life is a religious rule of modesty in the Ultra-Orthodox community. However, adherence should be of choice and not forced upon through socially constructed norms.      This past Thursday, I had the opportunity to meet the Director of the Israel Religious Action Center, Noa Sattath. Even more, I had the opportunity to personally be a Freedom Rider. First

June Torah Service: Police Station Aliyah      Following the detainment of two Women of the Wall supporters, the group traveled to the police station where both detainees were taken. We held our Torah service near the station to show our support and to be present when the two were free to leave. Close to one of the police station's bathrooms, we also hoped our singing and chanting could be heard by our WOW members.   =)           I had been given the honor of being called up for an aliyah (the chanting of the blessings before and after the reading of the Torah), and I was proud to be doing it. I felt as though I was representing all of the women who similarly wanted freedom of religious expression. I also felt as though it was in support of our detainees, letting them know that we were still continuing on with our prayer schedule. We would not let any setback get in our way. Here is a video of my aliyah:      I am so thankful for the opportunity to pray

A Little Victory Thursday, June 21, 2012 – Rosh Hodesh Tamuz      This past week, I experienced my first Rosh Hodesh service with Women of the Wall. I woke up early, excited to arrive at the Kotel for the 7AM service. Tallit in hand, I stood in the back of the women's section just about ready to pray, not knowing what was in store. After being handed a siddur, I placed myself in the middle of the cluster, surrounding myself with the women of the wall. Similar to the stones of the Western Wall, separated enough to fit a prayer into but united enough to withstand time, the Women of the Wall are an enduring group. While each woman came from a different background, we all joined together for a common purpose: freedom of religious expression.      I had heard about recent detainments for wearing a tallit, a prayer shawl, and while I was a bit apprehensive, I was ready to stand up for what I believed in. I unfolded my tallit, made the blessing, and placed it over my shoulders