Most Popular Israeli Girls’ Names 2014

The Israeli Central Bureau for Statistics announced the ten most popular names for 2014. It usually takes them a whole year to analyze them.  Biblical and animal names dominate the list, along with two-syllable names. Here's the rundown: Noa. This biblical name has been the number one girl's … [Read more...]

Motherhood, Careers, and Guilt at Tzohar Panel

This article appeared in the "In Jerusalem" supplement of the Jerusalem Post on March 25, 2016. Balancing motherhood and careers, with the help of Tzohar By Hannah Katsman Since the early days of the kibbutz, Israeli mothers have been working outside the home. Yet the conflict between motherhood … [Read more...]

The dangers of rolling back the core educational curriculum

The following appeared in the Jerusalem Post supplement, "In Jerusalem," on July 29, 2016. Reprinted with permission. The dangers of rolling back the core educational curriculum at haredi boys’ schools. By Hannah Katsman I recently ran into a speech pathologist who teaches university … [Read more...]

Fasting for Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women when 9 Av Postponed to Sunday: Rabbi Yosef Tzvi Rimon

I've written several posts about Jewish law regarding fasting for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers. Yesterday, in the alon "Shabbat beShabbato," Rabbi Yosef Tzvi Rimon of the Machon LeHalachah UleHoraah and head of the Beit Midrash (study hall) at Machon Lev, discussed a special case that occurs … [Read more...]

Update: Offer Rescinded. Indicted Sex-Offender Ezra Sheinberg Awaiting Trial; May Move to Kibbutz Hafetz Hayim

Update: Rabbi Horowitz rescinded the offer. Public pressure works. Often, it is the only thing that works. The only question remains, will parents be willing to keep their daughters in the school under Horowitz's management, or will they demand that he be fired, as some parents have … [Read more...]

From ‘Pasuk’ to ‘Pilpul’ to ‘Pesak’: Evolution of Women’s Leadership in Orthodoxy

This article appeared in the "In Jerusalem" supplement of the Jerusalem Post on June 10, 2016. Reprinted with permission. From ‘Pasuk’ to ‘Pilpul’ to ‘Pesak’: The Evolution of Women's Leadership in Orthodoxy By Hannah Katsman Discrepancies between men’s and women’s education disturbed Rabbanit … [Read more...]

No More Kiss and Goodbye: The “Zero Separation” Revolution

This article first appeared in the Jerusalem Post's "In Jerusalem" supplement on Friday, April 8. Reprinted with permission.  Tapping into two issues affecting the hospital experience of young parents: the quality of care for the mother and newborn, and patients’ rights • By HANNAH KATSMAN When … [Read more...]

Expanding Minds and Grappling with Pluralism in the Arava

This article first appeared in the Jerusalem Post "Metro" section on February 26, 2016. Reprinted with permission Expanding minds and grappling with pluralism in the Arava By Hannah Katsman Nobel Prize-winning chemist Dan Shechtman, former education minister Shai … [Read more...]

Guest Post: Rehabilitating the Reputation of Rabbi Tully Bryks

In December, 2014, I posted about the attempt by Rabbi Tully Bryks to start a new seminary. It was one of my most controversial posts ever, as Bryks has many supporters among the English-speaking community here in Israel who feel that an injustice has been done.   Ever since then, my friend … [Read more...]

Interview with Yeshiva University President Richard Joel

After the event on Modern Orthodox education sponsored by YU in Israel, I was able to interview President Joel. The interview appeared in the Jerusalem Post's "In Jerusalem" supplement on February 2, 2016 and is reprinted with permission. After the panel, In Jerusalem spoke with president Richard … [Read more...]