Educating in the Divine Image: Gender Issues in Orthodox Jewish Day Schools [Paperback]

Although recent scholarship has examined gender issues in Judaism with regard to texts, rituals, and the rabbinate, there has been no full-length examination of the education of Jewish children in day schools. Drawing on studies in education, social science, and psychology, as well as personal interviews, the authors show how traditional (mainly Orthodox) day school education continues to re-inscribe gender inequities and socialize students into unhealthy gender identities and relationships. They address pedagogy, school practices, curricula, and textbooks, as along with single-sex versus coed schooling, dress codes, sex education, Jewish rituals, and gender hierarchies in educational leadership. Drawing a stark picture of the many ways both girls and boys are molded into gender identities, the authors offer concrete resources and suggestions for transforming educational practice.

CHAYA ROSENFELD GORSETMAN is clinical associate professor of education, Stern College for Women, Yeshiva University. ELANA MARYLES SZTOKMAN is executive director of the Jewish Orthodox Feminist Alliance (JOFA) and author of The Mens Section: Orthodox Jewish Men in an Egalitarian World.

Foreword: Gendered Lessons in Jewish Schools Acknowledgments Introduction: Gender, Judaism, and Educating in the Divine Image In the Classroom: Gender, Pedagogy, and Teaching People of the Book: Gender in Jewish Books and Curricula Separate or Together?: Single-Sex versus Coed Schooling Tzniut and Dress Codes: Female Body Cover in Jewish Socialization Building Intimate Relationships: Sex Education and Judaism The Shul in the School: Socializing into Gender via Jewish Rituals in School The Broader Context: Gender Hierarchies in Jewish Educational Leadership Reflections and Conclusions Appendix A. Practical Educational Resources Appendix B. Methods Notes Glossary Bibliography Index