10 Orthodox Jewish Women as a Bridge Between Israel and the Diaspora

Abstract

This chapter discusses several ways in which the internet forums have created an international community of Orthodox Jewish women by functioning as bridges between those in Israel and the Diaspora. The methods by which they do so are by promoting reproduction, synchronization, education, and involvement between different groups of women who are members. The chapter focuses on the ways the forums reproduce knowledge about, synchronize activities pertaining to, and educate/involve regarding the ritual use of, the Orthodox female body. The same categories can come into play regarding other topics germane to Orthodox Jewish women, be it their attitude towards parents, husbands, marriages, professions, religious observance, and so forth, creating bridges of information and synchronization of attitudes or activities between various groups. Throughout this and other studies of these Orthodox women's forums it appears that they fulfill four basic bridge-like purposes in the fields of education, acculturation, socialization, and feminist empowerment. Keywords: Diaspora; feminist empowerment; Israel; orthodox female body; orthodox Jewish women; orthodox women's forums