I've always noticed (and had it confirmed by those who knew more than me) that more females were baal tshuvah, and more women converted. (Both of these facts are coming from only the orthodox world - I don't know about the non-orthodox world). Perhaps women are simply inherently more spiritual than men? Perhaps their default role as homemaker (although that is changing in today's society) has made then more attuned to the less-material needs of the family unit.
r', are you insinuating that when women take leadership roles, they push men out? Right, real men don't eat quiche or listen to a woman at the pulpit. But who is really in charge? I know of a certain couple. . . well, I won't say it. Seriously, though, women have often headed up religious practice -- just in the past women had to do it only behind the scenes or as attendees. The women who flock to the rabbinate do so because they now have the opportunity to take on a career that combines the pastoral with the spiritual and an official title rather than one that indicates a helpmeet role only.
this interesting phenomenon also exists within the orthodox community. Although, orthodoxy doesn’t allow women to serve as Rabbis or lead the prayers, they can serve in other leadership positions. In fact, many Jewish women are very active in their local communities and run respected organizations.
By High school age teens, the orthodox Jewish girls are much more religious then the boys. Jewish girls are more educated than ever before.
I've always noticed (and had it confirmed by those who knew more than me) that more females were baal tshuvah, and more women converted. (Both of these facts are coming from only the orthodox world - I don't know about the non-orthodox world). Perhaps women are simply inherently more spiritual than men? Perhaps their default role as homemaker (although that is changing in today's society) has made then more attuned to the less-material needs of the family unit.
ReplyDeleter', are you insinuating that when women take leadership roles, they push men out? Right, real men don't eat quiche or listen to a woman at the pulpit. But who is really in charge? I know of a certain couple. . . well, I won't say it. Seriously, though, women have often headed up religious practice -- just in the past women had to do it only behind the scenes or as attendees. The women who flock to the rabbinate do so because they now have the opportunity to take on a career that combines the pastoral with the spiritual and an official title rather than one that indicates a helpmeet role only.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Ari,
ReplyDeletethis interesting phenomenon also exists within the orthodox community. Although, orthodoxy doesn’t allow women to serve as Rabbis or lead the prayers, they can serve in other leadership positions. In fact, many Jewish women are very active in their local communities and run respected organizations.
By High school age teens, the orthodox Jewish girls are much more religious then the boys. Jewish girls are more educated than ever before.