Women, Religious Freedom Groups Stake Victories
Grass-roots campaign in Jerusalem reverses some haredi-imposed gender segregation and discrimination.
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Michele Chabin
Israel Correspondent
Jerusalem — Passing through Jerusalem’s Central Bus Station a few months ago, Rachel Jaskow decided to stop at the station’s synagogue and pray Mincha.
Making her way to the very end of the departure level, Jaskow, a Modern Orthodox Jerusalemite, found the synagogue but only men praying there. Then she noticed a tiny room — separate from the shul and the size of a walk-in closet — designated as the women’s section.
When Jaskow, who is active in the Israeli women’s movement, entered the room, she was “absolutely appalled” by its condition,” she told The Jewish Week.
“There was trash; it was dingy, dirty, and there were three huge boxes crammed with old religious newsletters. I was angry and called the rabbi and said, ‘Is this the women’s section or a garbage dump? How can anyone pray here?’”
http://www.thejewishweek.com/news/israel-news/women-religious-freedom-groups-stake-victories