Daughters of the king : women and the synagogue : a survey of history, halakhah, and contemporary realities /

Both editors have totally divergent views regarding Jewish religious observance (one is Orthodox, the other Reform) yet both are deeply committed to the concept of women's participation in synagogue worship. Historically, the role of Jewish women in public worship has been limited. This excellent compendium devotes one section to historical source material and another to halacha (Jewish religious law). The fascinating essays in the third section are authored by a broad spectrum of contributors and contain personal religious reflections vis-a-vis new modes of worship. The topics include the experiences of three generations of Iranian women, becoming a rabbi, becoming a cantor, egalitarianism and the Havurah movement, and growing up Lubavitch. This is essential reading for anyone interested in contemporary Judaism or women's issues.-- Carol R. Glatt, VA Medical Ctr. Lib., Phila delphia (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.