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to wear slacks if they are cut in a style
>different from that of men. Ashkenazi
rabbis do not approve of women wear-
ing any type of slacks or jeans.
In addition, it is becoming increas-
ingly clear that Orthodox rabbis of
the kibbutz movement are more
lenient than their colleagues in the
city. -
In a meeting of three Orthodox
- abbis from kibbutzim and three rab-
/-bis from the Masorti movement
aimed at increasing cooperation
between them, one of the Masorti
rabbis indicated that the changing sta-
tus of women in Jewish law might
present an insurmountable obstacle in
striving for increased cooperation
between the two movements.
Immediately, an Orthodox rabbi
2 from one of the kibbutzim stated that
this would not be such a problem. He
was referring to the quiet revolution
within the Orthodox camp concern-
ing the role of women in Jewish life.
In Israel today, there are more and
more educational frameworks on a
good academic level for single and
married women to study Judaism. In
)these special programs, almost all of
which are in the Orthodox communi-
ty, the curriculum is based on the Tal-
mud and the tradition of oral law.
There are special courses to prepare
women to be advocates in rabbinic
courts, especially in the areas of per-
sonal status. Graduates of these pro-
grams have the right to represent their
clients in rabbinic courts, and the
/-number of women advocates is grow-
ing at a steady rare.
Orthodox worship services attend-
ed and conducted only by women are
on the increase. These services are
held at various times in different
localities. Some hold services Friday
evening at the inauguration of Shab-
at, but many favor a service on
habbat morning.
In light of these new developments
within the religious life of Israel,
many are passionate to participate in
the effort to create greater unity in a
Jewish world in which women will
playa more central role. Those in
Israel who are familiar with what is
happening on the religious scene are
\cautiously optimistic concerning the
/future. 7
Rabbi Charles W. Siegel is a
Jerusalem resident. This is an adap-
tation of remarks he made to Con-
gregation Beth Shalom members in
Israel during Michigan Miracle Mis-
sion III in April.
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37