Tradition in a Rootless World: Women Turn to Orthodox Judaism

Lynn Davidman

Published by University of California Press 1991

Tradition in a Rootless World

Women Turn to Orthodox Judaism

Lynn Davidman

https://doi.org/10.1525/9780520911574

About this book

The past two decades in the United States have seen an immense liberalization and expansion of women's roles in society. Recently, however, some women have turned away from the myriad, complex choices presented by modern life and chosen instead a Jewish orthodox tradition that sets strict and rigid guidelines for women to follow.

Lynn Davidman followed the conversion to Orthodoxy of a group of young, secular Jewish women to gain insight into their motives. Living first with a Hasidic community in St. Paul, Minnesota, and then joining an Orthodox synagogue on the upper west side of Manhattan, Davidman pieced together a picture of disparate lives and personal dilemmas. As a participant observer in their religious resocialization and in interviews and conversations with over one hundred women, Davidman also sought a new perspective on the religious institutions that reach out to these women and usher them into the community of Orthodox Judaism.

Through vivid and detailed personal portraits, Tradition in a Rootless World explores women's place not only in religious institutions but in contemporary society as a whole. It is a perceptive contribution that unites the study of religion, sociology, and women's studies.

Author / Editor information

Davidman Lynn :

Lynn Davidman is Dorot Assistant Professor of Judaic Studies and Sociology at Brown University.

Topics

Frontmatter Publicly Available Download PDF	i
Contents Publicly Available Download PDF	vii
Acknowledgments Publicly Available Download PDF	ix
1. A Day in the Life of Two Jewish Women Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	1
2. Women, Judaism, and Modernity Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	26
3. A Journey into Two Jewish Communities Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	49
4. Order, Belonging, and Identity Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	74
5. Women into Wives and Mothers Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	108
6. Teachings on Jewish Religious Observance Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	136
7. The Dynamics of Conversion Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	174
8. On Women and Religious Traditions in Modern U.S. Society Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	191
Appendix A: Interview Guide for Ba'alot Teshuvah Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	207
Appendix B: Interview Guide for Rabbis Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	211
Appendix C: Questionnaire for Bais Ghana Women Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	213
Notes Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	219
Glossary Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	227
References Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	235
Index Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	249