(14 Dec 2021) FOR CLEAN VERSION SEE STORY NUMBER: 4357401
In the West Bank, Rabbanit Shira Marili-Mirvis is pushing the boundaries within the world of Orthodox Judaism as the leader of a newly fledged congregation.
She began reading the Torah during prayer in synagogue and led other religious lessons in her community. She quickly became recognized as an unofficial leader.
"A few months ago, Rabbi Riskin, who's the chief rabbi of Efrat, called and he said, I know that you're the informal Rabbanit of the community. I want to make it formal," said Rabbanit Marili-Mirvis. "I want to create a ceremony. I want to do a s'micha (ordaining ceremony) so that we will be formal."
The community held a public vote where a majority warmly agreed to make her appointment as rabbanit official.
Marili-Mirvis said many were very pleased to see a woman in this position in the synagogue. "Ever since everyone heard about me becoming the official rabbanit of the community, I got very warm responses," she said.
But she recognizes that not all are comfortable with her role. The state of Israel, whose religious matters are often determined by conservative ultra-Orthodox authorities, has not recognized her position.
"I see myself as a feminist and I live halachic Orthodox life," said Marili-Mirvis. "By definition, these two things are not always compatible and in definition, these two things are in tension sometimes. But that's OK. I'm not afraid from tension, meaning I think tension and the points where we struggle, these are the points that are allowing us to develop our identity, to think, to ask the right questions, to try to answer the questions."
She is currently one of very few woman rabbanit. "But hopefully it won't be for long," she said. "Hopefully, there will be many, many women that will be able to take part in leadership roles in Orthodoxy. I hope that's our direction."
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