Today is the Taanit Esther, a fast day to commemorate the threat of extermination faced by Jews as described in the Megillah. But did you know that it's also "International Agunah Day"? According to Jewish law, a divorce becomes final when a man hands his wife a get, or a writ of divorce. Sometimes men withhold the get to punish or extort their wives. While the occasional wife refuses to grant a get, Jewish law is stricter about women remarrying. A woman who wants to end her marriage, but whose husband can't or won't provide a get, is known as an agunah, meaning "anchored." The agunah issue has made news in the United States. Aharon Friedman is a congressional committee aide for … [Read more...]
Links: Bus Segregation, Divorce, Autism, Harsh Parenting
January 11, 2011 by 29 Comments
The post on the veiled women of Beit Shemesh led to record traffic over the last few days. I'll be posting some reactions soon. In the meantime, enjoy these links: Miriyummy's husband models the Talit he won at the Galilee Silks contest. A story about a woman who reorganizes your home and your life. Kosher Cooking Carnival is up at Batya's. AussieDave at Israellycool is hosting a Pro-Israel blogoff, with prizes. You can submit posts until Tuesday, January 18. On Cooking Manager, a series on cooking with children including babies and toddlers. A new film about divorce in the haredi community. Spacing children less than two years apart may be a risk factor for … [Read more...]
Pashkvilim: Anti-Establishment Posters in Jerusalem, Part I
May 22, 2009 by 6 Comments
Pashkevilim hold up the buidings of Jerusalem. Rabbi Joel Teitelbaum, Former Satmar Rebbe Today marks Jerusalem Day, commemorating the unification of Jerusalem and the restoration of its Old City to Israel's control. As part of the celebration our synagogue hosted a talk called "Al Homotayich Yerushalayim" ("On Your Walls, Jerusalem," Isaiah 62). Dr. Tzuriel Rashi, head of the Communications Department at Lipshitz College in Jerusalem and a professor in the Political Science Department of Bar-Ilan, introduced us to the textured world of pashkevilim, the religious wall posters found in large haredi neighborhoods throughout the world. The word Pashkevil comes from the Italian … [Read more...]
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