Shows
Justice Unbound: Women, Religion and the State of Israel(16) Final ReflectionsAfter 15 episodes behind the closed doors of Israel’s rabbinic courts, we step back to reflect. In this final chapter of Justice Unbound, Rivkah revisits the stories, legal battles, and feminist resistance that shaped the series. From agunot and mamzerut to chalitza and civil justice, she discusses what has changed, what hasn’t, and what still must be done to secure true equality for Jewish women in Israel. A look back — and a call forward. Justice Unbound is made possible by the generous support of the Gimprich Family Foundation. 2025-07-1508 min
Justice Unbound: Women, Religion and the State of Israel(15) Religious Rights, Civil WrongsCan civil courts succeed where religious courts have failed? Rivkah Lubitch interviews Susan Weiss, founder of the Center for Women’s Justice, about a bold legal strategy she pioneered in Israel: suing recalcitrant husbands for damages in civil court when they refuse to grant their wives a get. With personal stories, legal insight, and hard-won victories, Susan reveals how her feminist legal strategy has shifted the power dynamic between women, men, and religious authority in Israel—and why the solution to get refusal may never come from within the system. Justice Unbound is made possible by the generous suppo...2025-07-0223 min
Justice Unbound: Women, Religion and the State of Israel(14) Mamzerim, Part 2In this follow-up episode, Rivkah unpacks the legal system that enforces mamzerut in Israel—how laws and state policies conspire to erase biological fathers, deny children their rights, and deepen the pain of already vulnerable families. Through real stories, she exposes the hidden costs of preserving religious fictions at the expense of justice. Justice Unbound is made possible by the generous support of the Gimprich Family Foundation. Mentioned in this episode: Ruth Halperin-Kaddari, “‘That which is crooked cannot be made straight’: Mamzerim in the Israeli Legal System” in Mamzerim: Labeled and Erased, edited by Emily D. Bilski and Nurit Jacobs-Yinon2025-05-2620 min
Justice Unbound: Women, Religion and the State of Israel(13) Mamzerim, Part 1Through a powerful story, Rivkah unpacks the painful and often hidden issue of mamzerut—a halachic status branding children as illegitimate and barring them from marrying within the Jewish community. Rivkah outlines the religious and social roots of this stigmatizing label, its devastating impact on families, and its dangerous entanglement with Israel’s divorce system. This is the first of a two-part series on one of Judaism’s most painful and morally fraught challenges. Justice Unbound is made possible by the generous support of the Gimprich Family Foundation. Mentioned in this episode: Mamzerim, Labeled and Erased, edited by Emily D. Bilski and...2025-05-1121 min
Justice Unbound: Women, Religion and the State of Israel(12) The BlacklistRivkah takes us deep into the shadows of Israel’s marriage system to explore the “blacklist”—a secret registry maintained by the Chief Rabbinate that tracks thousands of people prohibited from legally marrying in Israel. From accusations of adultery to the status of mamzerim, we explore who gets listed, how, and why it’s nearly impossible to clear one’s name. Behind closed doors, a quiet bureaucracy decides who may love—and who loses a fundamental right. Justice Unbound is made possible by the generous support of the Gimprich Family Foundation. 2025-04-2714 min
Justice Unbound: Women, Religion and the State of Israel(11) Halachic PrenupsToo many women find themselves powerless in the face of get refusal or being trapped as an agunah. But halachic prenuptial agreements can change that. Rivkah explains how these agreements use legal and halachic tools to prevent injustice and why every couple--engaged and married--should consider signing one. Find the agreements here. Justice Unbound is made possible by the generous support of the Gimprich Family Foundation.2025-03-2623 min
Justice Unbound: Women, Religion and the State of Israel(10) Three Ways OutSusan reveals how Israel’s rabbinic courts concoct an unholy trifecta of rigid formalism, extortion, and violence to deal with women trapped in unwanted marriages. Who really holds the power—the husbands or the dayanim (rabbinic judges)? Should the ends justify the means when punishing get refusers? Susan and Rivkah discuss why change remains elusive when justice, religion, and human rights collide. Justice Unbound is made possible by the generous support of the Gimprich Family Foundation. Mentioned in this episode: Article: "A Woman Acquires [Freedom for] Herself in 3 Ways…" by Susan Weiss Book: Marriage and Divorce in the Jewish State: Israel's Civil War...2025-03-0934 min
Justice Unbound: Women, Religion and the State of Israel(9) Grounds for DivorceWhat must a woman prove to be divorced in a rabbinic court? Susan shares a shocking case where she learned firsthand that, no matter what a husband does—whether he rapes, beats, cheats, takes another wife, withholds intimacy, or even if his wife is utterly repulsed by him—none of it grants her the right to leave. No fault of his is considered grounds for divorce. How is this possible? What does this mean for women trapped in these marriages? Justice Unbound is made possible by the generous support of the Gimprich Family Foundation.2025-02-2319 min
Justice Unbound: Women, Religion and the State of Israel(8) Killer WifeAccording to Jewish tradition, a woman who outlives two husbands is labeled a “killer wife,” believed to bring misfortune to any future spouse. In Israel, a woman suspected of being a killer wife needs special permission to legally remarry. Susan and Rivkah dive into a fascinating 2014 rabbinic court ruling that allows one such woman to escape the stigma—while paradoxically reinforcing the very law that condemned her. Justice Unbound is made possible by the generous support of the Gimprich Family Foundation. Book mentioned in this podcast: Pious and Rebellious: Jewish Women in Medieval Europe by Avraham Grossman2025-02-0916 min
Justice Unbound: Women, Religion and the State of Israel(7) Chalitza, Part 2As the war in Israel leaves countless families shattered, the issue of chalitza resurfaces with complicated consequences for widows. In this second episode on chalitza, Susan and Rivkah discuss halachic solutions--past and present--and why the current crisis makes it more urgent than ever to address. Learn about what the Center for Women's Justice is doing to ensure women’s freedom and dignity in their most vulnerable moments. Justice Unbound is made possible by the generous support of the Gimprich Family Foundation. Check out CWJ’s halachic document that addresses chalitza, as well as CWJ’s full halachic prenuptial agreement, here: https://www.sh...2025-01-2722 min
Justice Unbound: Women, Religion and the State of Israel(6) Chalitza, Part 1Susan and Rivkah delve into the ancient ritual of chalitza, a halachic ceremony releasing a widow from marrying her late husband’s brother. What does chalitza mean for women today, especially in the modern state of Israel? What happens to a woman when chalitza can’t—or won’t—be done? Through personal stories, expert insights and a critical lens, we explore the halachic, legal, and cultural dimensions of this practice. Justice Unbound is made possible by the generous support of the Gimprich Family Foundation. Mentioned in this episode: Family Law and the Challenge of Modernity: Debate about Levirate Ma...2025-01-1926 min
Justice Unbound: Women, Religion and the State of Israel(5) Millet SystemWhat does the Ottoman Sultan have to do with Jewish divorce in 2025? Susan and Rivkah delve into the surprising origins of Israel’s two-tracked civil system, consisting of religious and secular courts. What is the difference between these secular and religious courts, and how do Israelis decide where to go? Are non-Jews in Israel also bound by religious courts? And how can a democratic state operate religious courts, anyway? Justice Unbound is made possible by the generous support of the Gimprich Family Foundation. Mentioned in this episode: Scholarship of Dr. Yüksel Sezgin https://bit.ly/YSezgin2025-01-0516 min
Justice Unbound: Women, Religion and the State of Israel(4) Marrying Outside the Rabbinate, with Rabbi Chuck Davidson of ChuppotChuppot is an independent rabbinic-halachic organization that marries couples in accordance with Jewish law--but outside the purview of the State Rabbinate. Since its establishment in 2018, Chuppot has married 1600 couples... and counting. Why does an alternative like this exist? And what ramifications does it have for the next generation? Rivkah speaks with Rabbi Chuck Davidson, director of Chuppot’s halachic department. Justice Unbound is made possible by the generous support of the Gimprich Family Foundation.2024-12-2221 min
Justice Unbound: Women, Religion and the State of Israel(3) Just 17Can a Jewish marriage that was never consummated be annulled? Not so fast. Susan Weiss and Rivkah Lubitch tell the story of a 17-year-old girl in a marriage she can’t escape. The episode introduces the halachic concept of “ma’is alay”–“he disgusts me”–circumstances under which a woman cannot stand to sleep with her husband, which has implications for divorce. Being repulsed by her husband did not help the 17-year-old girl get out of her marriage. What did? Justice Unbound is made possible by the generous support of the Gimprich Family Foundation.2024-12-0415 min
Justice Unbound: Women, Religion and the State of Israel(2) Two WivesIs polygamy legal in Israel, and is it grounds for divorce? Susan Weiss and Rivkah Lubitch share the story of Rivkah’s client, whose husband married a second wife while refusing to divorce the first. This episode underscores how women pay the price when religious law is imposed by the state. Justice Unbound is made possible by the generous support of the Gimprich Family Foundation.2024-11-2614 min
Justice Unbound: Women, Religion and the State of Israel(1) ChainedSusan Weiss and Rivkah Lubitch talk about agunot, Jewish women held in marital captivity. They explain marriage and divorce in Jewish Law, the legal system in Israel, and how things work in the state-backed rabbinic courts. This episode tells the story of one of Rivkah’s first clients, who waited 20 years for her get—Jewish bill of divorce. Justice Unbound is made possible by the generous support of the Gimprich Family Foundation.2024-11-1312 min
Justice Unbound: Women, Religion and the State of IsraelWelcome to Justice Unbound: Women, Religion, and the State of IsraelRivkah Lubitch and Susan Weiss take you behind the closed doors of Israeli Rabbinic Courts to reveal the real stories of women seeking justice under religious law in Israel. Justice Unbound is made possible by the generous support of the Gimprich Family Foundation.2024-11-1305 min
Voices of Women at Wartime(22) Modern Women’s Midrashim in the Wake of October 7 (Part 2)In this episode we continue to study modern midrashim written by women in the wake of October 7 with Tamar Biala, editor of the "Dirshuni" series. Tamar Biala has been collecting and editing modern women’s midrashim for over 20 years and published them as part of the “Dirshuni” series, with two volumes in Hebrew and one in English. The first Hebrew volume was co-edited with Nehama Weingarten-Mintz. Since October 7, Biala has received many texts relating to the Hamas attack and its aftermath. In this two-part session we will study these powerful texts written by women about grievi...2024-07-0239 min
Voices of Women at Wartime(21) Modern Women’s Midrashim in the Wake of October 7 (Part 1)Tamar Biala has been collecting and editing modern women’s midrashim for over 20 years and published them as part of the “Dirshuni” series, with two volumes in Hebrew and one in English. The first Hebrew volume was co-edited with Nehama Weingarten-Mintz. Since October 7, Biala has received many texts relating to the Hamas attack and its aftermath. In this two-part session we will study these powerful texts written by women about grieving mothers and angry grandmothers, faith and doubt, the Jewish present and past and how they interact with one another. In the introduction to this episode, R...2024-06-1328 min
Voices of Women at Wartime(20) Lone soldiers in the IDFThousands of Lone Soldiers come from all over the world to serve in the Israeli army. What caused these brave youngsters to leave everything and come to Israel? Where do they live? Who does their laundry when they get out for weekends? How do they pay rent? Arlene Abrams is a mother of a lone soldier, Efraim. She talks about her son’s experience in the Gaza War. Ellen Tuggle is the mother of Zack, a lone soldier who finished his army service. She tells us about her work with Big Brother/Sister Organization. Efraim Abram...2024-05-2828 min
Voices of Women at Wartime(19) The Challenge of Human Rights after October 7thAnne Rethmann, a PhD fellow from Berlin studying at Hebrew University, explains how the notion of “dignity” entered into the discourse on human rights, and describes the gap between individual human rights and collective human rights. Anne also tells us about her personal experience on October 7, and how various countries, particularly Germany, responded to the war. Support and amplify women's voices by contributing to the making of this podcast: Donate now to the Center for Women’s Justice.2024-04-1131 min
Voices of Women at Wartime(18) The Community of Nigun Halev: Israeli Judaism in Emek JezreelNigun Halev is a center for Jewish life, ritual, social action, and culture. Rabbi Liora Ezrachi-Vered, Rabbi of Nigun Halev and board member of Tag Meir, talks about their work with Jewish and Arab evacuees of the Galil. https://www.facebook.com/nigunhalev Support and amplify women's voices by contributing to the making of this podcast: Donate now to the Center for Women’s Justice.2024-04-0326 minVoices of Women at Wartime(17) Resilience After the UnspeakableEsther Markus, a social worker and therapist, manager of clinic resilience center of Sdot Negev, and member of Kibbutz Alumim talks to us about her experience on Oct. 7th and the work she has been doing since. The personal tragic story of her husband’s death is part of the bigger story of the horrific attack of Hamas. Support and amplify women's voices by contributing to the making of this podcast: Donate now to the Center for Women’s Justice.2024-03-2034 minVoices of Women at Wartime(16) Bearing Witness: The National Library’s Archive of October 7Hana Cooper, a digital selections collector for the National Library of Israel, collects online materials related to October 7 and the ensuing war for the massive ”Bearing Witness” project. While the library has always collected material on historical events, this is the first time it became actively involved from the start. We learn from Hana the ethical and logistical challenges of collecting, sorting and ensuring access to the vast amounts of material in both Israel and the Diaspora. All of us can get involved by finding and submitting materials that document, memorialize or preserve the events of October 7 and their afterm...2024-03-0626 minVoices of Women at Wartime(15) The Gaza War, Women, and Jewish LawDr. Susan Weiss, founder and director of the Center for Women’s Justice, interviews podcast host and to'enet rabbanit Rivkah Lubitch about how Jewish law might affect women in the aftermath of the Gaza war. Susan and Rivkah talk about women who might not be able to get divorced (agunot); women who might need their brother-in-law’s permission to remarry (halitzah); and women who may — or may not — have been raped, and how that affects their relationships. Who might be affected adversely by Jewish law? Who might be absolved? How, if at all, will the rabbis resolve the issues raised...2024-02-2126 minVoices of Women at Wartime(14) The Impact of the War on Sexual HarassmentShana Aaronson is the director of Magen, an organization that services and advocates for victims of sexual abuse in the Orthodox and ultra Orthodox Jewish communities. She speaks about the impact of the Gaza War on her work. She explains how the war has had a triggering affect on women who have experienced sexual abuse in the past; and she describes the problems of sexual harassment that have arisen in hotels that are hosting evacuees from the northern and southern borders of Israel. https://magen-israel.org/en/ Support and amplify women's voices by contributing to...2024-02-1430 minVoices of Women at Wartime(13) The Feminist Act of Archiving Women’s TestimonyHow do we preserve women’s stories, especially those of sexual violence? Dr. Sarai Aharoni delves into the historical, ethical and feminist questions she navigates while archiving women’s testimonies. Support and amplify women's voices by contributing to the making of this podcast: Donate now to the Center for Women’s Justice.2024-02-0727 minVoices of Women at Wartime(12) Arab Women in Israel after October 7thCelia Jawabreh, a feminist social activist and educator in the Arab-Israeli community, has a very painful and candid conversation with us. She tells what it is like to grow up as a woman in a patriarchal religious society, and especially how Arab women (and men) are faring since the 7th of October. We learn what it is like to be identified in public as an Arab and having Israeli Jews suspect her as being pro-Hamas. She described how shocked Israeli Arabs were by what happened on the 7th of October, and their pain at being constantly under suspicion. 2024-01-3126 minVoices of Women at Wartime(11) How Community Rescued and Revived a KibbutzLeader of the Religious Kibbutz Movement Sarah Evron describes the miraculous story of how Kibbutz Sa’ad was spared on October 7th, the challenges of evacuation, and how the community has rallied together in inspiring ways. Support and amplify women's voices by contributing to the making of this podcast: Donate now to the Center for Women’s Justice.2024-01-2327 minVoices of Women at Wartime(10) How Do We Help Kids Cope with Wartime Trauma?Embedded trauma specialist Lisa Fliegel recounts working with children survivors of October 7th. Drawing on her experiences in three disparate high conflict zones—Israel, Northern Ireland and inner city Boston—Lisa shares insightful and effective ways of responding to children processing trauma. Read about Lisa’s experiences with children survivors post-October 7th here. Check out Lisa’s book, Bulletproof Therapist, here. Support and amplify women's voices by contributing to the making of this podcast: Donate now to the Center for Women’s Justice.2024-01-1545 minVoices of Women at Wartime(9) War is No Laughing Matter. Or Is It?Why is humor the quintessential Jewish coping mechanism—even during war? Bazy Rubin talks about making funny videos of her struggles as a reservist wife and mom on the home front, and why they resonate with so many right now. Check out Bazy’s funny videos on Facebook and Instagram. Support and amplify women's voices by contributing to the making of this podcast: Donate now to the Center for Women’s Justice.2023-12-2716 minVoices of Women at Wartime(8) Who Pays the Price of Looser Gun Laws?Since the start of the war, Israel has drastically loosened and expedited the process for citizens to obtain gun permits. But at what cost? Social worker Tamar Schwartz of Women’s Spirit shares how war affects women victims of domestic violence and warns of the deadly consequences of guns falling into the wrong hands. Support and amplify women's voices by contributing to the making of this podcast: Donate now to the Center for Women’s Justice.2023-12-2028 minVoices of Women at Wartime(7) A Volunteer Forensic Pathologist is Called to ActionWhat compels a volunteer forensic pathologist to travel all the way from New Zealand to Israel? Dr. Judy Melinek speaks about the crucial role of science in bearing witness to the Hamas attacks on October 7th. Read Dr. Melinek’s firsthand account here. Support and amplify women's voices by contributing to the making of this podcast: Donate now to the Center for Women’s Justice.2023-12-1219 minVoices of Women at Wartime(6) Does Feminism have an Antisemitism Problem?Why do international feminists, who champion human rights and social justice for minorities, seem to have a blind spot when it comes to antisemitism? Feminist icon Dr. Phyllis Chesler shares her experiences confronting antisemitism over decades in feminist activism and academia. Read Dr. Chesler’s article on the silence of feminists regarding Hamas’ use of rape as a weapon of war against Israelis. Support and amplify women's voices by contributing to the making of this podcast: Donate now to the Center for Women’s Justice.2023-12-0533 minVoices of Women at Wartime(5) Who Supports the Home Front?While the home front supports the military, who supports the home front? Yael Yechieli shares how an innovative volunteer database facilitates critical support for the women and families back home. Learn more about the volunteer database, Anchor for the Reserve Families, and the 50-50 Partnership for Equity. Support and amplify women's voices by contributing to the making of this podcast: Donate now to the Center for Women’s Justice.2023-11-2733 minVoices of Women at Wartime(4) Terrorists at the Door: 20 Hours in Hiding with my ChildrenAtar Maor recounts a harrowing 20 hours spent hiding in the closet with her two young children as terrorists hunted them down in Kibbutz Be’eri on October 7th. As she answers their innocent questions and makes split-second decisions to save their lives, she wonders: can she preserve their faith in humanity? Support and amplify women's voices by contributing to the making of this podcast: Donate now to the Center for Women’s Justice.2023-11-2017 minVoices of Women at Wartime(3) When Home is Not Safe: Evacuating My FamilyAs a girl growing up in Northern Israel in the 80s, Rina Levanon evacuated her home many times. Now, she must contend with wartime evacuation yet again—but this time, as a mother of three. Rina shares her experiences navigating memories of personal trauma, unexpected parenting challenges and anchoring herself in routine while her life has turned upside down. Support and amplify women's voices by contributing to the making of this podcast: Donate now to the Center for Women’s Justice.2023-11-1629 minVoices of Women at Wartime(2) Women's Bodies, Violence and the U.N.'s SilenceSexual violence in wartime has a specific history, intent and effect. Understanding what is so different about gender-based war crimes is important, especially as we push for the international community to recognize and do something about it. We are joined by Dr. Cochav Elkayam Levy, an Israeli expert in international law, human rights and gender, who recently addressed the UN’s Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). In the face of exasperating denial and silence, she continues to lead efforts to agitate for the international community to acknowledge and take urgent action in re...2023-11-1328 minVoices of Women at Wartime(1) When Massacre is Personal: A Mother's Loss on October 7thOur lives changed on October 7th in unimaginable ways. Hannah Wacholder Katsman joins us to grapple with a mother’s worst nightmare: learning of the murder of her son, Hayim Katsman, by Hamas terrorists at his home in Kibbutz Holit. Hannah’s colorful recounting of Hayim’s full and spirited life contrasts starkly with the brutal way in which it was cut short. Our heartfelt prayers are with Hannah and her family. May Hayim’s memory be a blessing. Watch: CNN interview with Hayim’s neighbor Avital. Hayim died shielding Avital from bullets, saving her life. ...2023-11-0726 minVoices of Women at Wartime(000) Introducing Voices of Women at WartimeFrom battlefield to bomb shelter, from home front to hospital, from volunteer rosters to victims’ lists - women experience war in distinctive, gendered ways. These are their stories. These are their voices. Voices of Women at Wartime is an Israeli podcast that examines how women affect war and how war affects women. These are the unique perspectives and testimonies of women in their own words—a candid conversation that is sometimes hopeful, sometimes heartbreaking, and always essential as Israel navigates wartime. Hosted by Rachel Stomel and Rivkah Lubitch of the Center for Women’s Justice. Support and amplify...2023-11-0704 min
Orthodox ConundrumMamzerut: A Legitimate Problem That is Not Going Away (75)Many people believe that there are essentially no mamzerim anymore. Many people believe that if someone is suspected of being a mamzer, the problem is quickly resolved. Many people believe that if a person is determined to be a mamzer, there is nothing left to do. Rivkah Lubitch, of the Center for Women's Justice and an advocate for agunot and mamzerim in Israel, asserts that all three of these assumptions are incorrect. Join Scott for a fascinating and sometimes disturbing conversation with Rivkah about mamzerim in Israel. The Hebrew position paper link can be found at https://bit.ly/MamzerForumHebrew...2021-08-1641 min
Jewish Ideas to Change the WorldRivkah Lubitch - The Chief Rabbinate's Control Over Women!Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz, President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash interviews Rabbanit Rivkah Lubitch, a board member for the Center for Women's Justice, on the topic of "The Chief Rabbinate's Control Over Women!"
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2019-12-1617 min