by Jill Huber
NJJN Bureau Chief/Monmouth

July 8, 2008

A panel discussion featuring women from local Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform synagogues was a highlight of Monmouth University’s fifth annual Jewish Culture Program, which took place June 22-25 at the West Long Branch campus.

Emily Labaton of Congregation Magen David, an Orthodox synagogue in Deal; Cantor Marcia Lane of the Conservative Temple Beth El in Oakhurst; and Stella Jeruzalmi Stanway of Temple Beth Miriam, a Reform congregation in Elberon, were panelists for Women in American Jewish Life — a Panel Discussion.

Despite their differences, the panelists spoke of the expanding spiritual, ritual, and intellectual opportunities for women within their movements.

“Women were always an important part of Jewish life,” Lane told NJJN before the discussion. “There were ancient synagogues in Greece that had wall plaques, and women’s names were on them. There is a historic precedent for women to be involved in the core of Jewish life and synagogue life. They were involved in fund-raising and beautification projects, and they sat on the bima in places of honor.”

But during the years 400-650, there was a devaluation of women’s roles, she said.

“There was a major shift, and women began to withdraw into the home. That’s where they were most powerful for a long, long time.

“But in the 19th century,” Lane said, “there was a reemergence of Jewish women in public roles, and they made especially great strides in the field of religious education. That is the background against which I grew up.”

Labaton said that during her teen years, she followed a traditional path.

“Jewish teens like me were good girls who went to college,” Labaton, a coordinator of Judaic studies at Hillel Yeshiva High School in Ocean, told NJJN. “But we did challenge community norms by studying and working within the Jewish educational system. And as a teacher and administrator, I help steer Jewish children through an important and decisive time in their lives.

“We have to send them out into the world as good Jews. We also have to prepare them for issues they will face, such as Zionism, atheism, and Israel’s right to exist.”

Labaton said her professional interests often dovetail with those of her husband, Rabbi Ezra Labaton, Magen David’s religious leader.

“I feel that I am his equal, but it’s been a slow process,” she said. “There are several tendencies that characterize Orthodox Jewry, such as moving slowly and cautiously in response to societal changes, a tenacious adherence to tradition, and submission to authority. All this makes an Orthodox woman’s life fraught with intensity and difficulty.”

But, she said, “there are very healthy discussions about women within the Orthodox movement: Where do we draw the line in the sand? How far can we go and how fast? And under whose authority? Is women’s strong attention to detail impacting our lives or intruding? What are the roles of modesty, courtship, and sexuality in our lives?”

‘Important steps’

In Israel, Orthodox women have been studying “passionately” for years, Labaton said, adding that some have become experts in Jewish law and represent Orthodox women in rabbinic courts.

Jeruzalmi Stanway, principal of Beth Miriam’s religious school and wife of its religious leader, Rabbi Cy Stanway, told NJJN that she and her husband have a strong partnership.

Before becoming a religious educator, she taught in public schools in Mississippi, Texas, and New Mexico.

“Back then, I still tried to teach students the importance of embracing assimilation,” she said. “Now, many Reform women are summer camp counselors and religious teachers, and they will continue to impart the concept of assimilation.”

According to Lane, “part of the rabbi’s role is to be a teacher and explain how Jewish law is applied. The cantor represents the congregation in prayer. Jewish teachers bring a sense of history and heritage to their students. These are important steps, and many are performed by Jewish women in today’s society.”

The culture program was sponsored by the Jack and Lewis Rudin Distinguished Lecture Series, the Jacob Landau Institute, the Monmouth Dialogue Project, and the Peace Development Fund. Also featured was a presentation by teens Mahmoud Watad, a Palestinian, and Leonard Grob, a Jew, who spoke about their book, Teen Voices from the Holy Land, Who Am I to You?; a discussion with Jane Denny and David Herrstrom on the art of Jacob Landau; and a performance of Beethoven’s Sonatas by Alan Mallach.

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