Thursday, February 24, 2011

Allusions

I recently read a book published in 2010 entitled Keep Your Wives Away from Them: Orthodox Women, Unorthodox Desires. This anthology was edited by Miryam Kabakov.

It was very heavy reading for me- I always find myself placed in a difficult position when reading such works- but also interesting.

It was also fun to find myself alluded to (thanks, Tent-Peg Wielder, for pointing it out) in the last essay in the compendium, written by Dr. Joy Ladin.

The postscript reads:
    Professor Ladin has taught at Stern College since 2003. After receiving tenure in spring 2007, she came out as a transsexual to the school administration, which placed her on involuntary "research leave" for a year. In fall 2008, she returned to teaching, an event that triggered a vigorous discussion of transgender issues inside and outside the Orthodox Jewish world. Stern students responded to her return by devoting an issue of the Observer, the student newspaper, to the questions and consequences that arise when transsexuality meets Judaism. The groundbreaking issue includes interviews with trans Jews living in hiding in the Orthodox world, a discussion of the Orthodox Halakha on transsexuality, and passionate editorial calls for tolerance, compassion, and understanding of individuals struggling with gender identity issues. She is proud to teach there.
Woohoo!

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

You worked hard and it's not a surprise to see you and your team mentioned. For thise who are interested:
Olivia Wiznitzer - Editor-in-Chief (2008-2009)
View Olivia's Articles
Olivia Wiznitzer's Articles
5/5/09
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2/26/09
•Mental Illness Within the Yeshiva University Community
•Purim Chagiga Under Discussion, New Venue Considered
•Watching Love Grow, Forever
12/30/08
•Jewish Sexual Education & The Lack Thereof
•Jews & Sexuality in the Modern-Day World
•On Mattresses, Princesses and Peas
•The Jewish Perspective on Sexuality
•This Too is Torah, and I Must Learn
•Tzelem: Life Values & Intimacy Education
11/24/08
•A Deep But Dazzling Darkness
•BlackBerry Builds Bridges To God
•Eating Disorders: Seeking Help In The Orthodox Community
•Hungry To Be Heard, Listening At Last: Orthodox Jewish Film on Eating Disorders
•President's Circle Looks To Expand Its Radius
10/3/08
•Dr. Ladin's Transformative Journey
•To Understand Is Not To Condone
•Transitioning: The Halakhic Ramifications
•Transsexual Professor at Stern College: Student Perspectives
•Transsexuals In the Frum Community Speak Out
8/24/08
•Halakhic Judaism
•Hashkafa: Texts Play Formative Role in Student Outlook
•Judaic Studies Director Elected To Prestigious AAJR Society
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Anonymous said...

I dont know how a Jewish person can accept such a man/woman. The torah specifically says that one must not sterilise any living thing even an animal. He/she has gone against the Torah which you claim to uphold. How can you condone such an act?

Chana said...

Anon 6:27,

Read this, please.

Hope it clarifies.