Lerner on Jewish Life

I was very pleased to read Michael Lerner’s “Perspective on Jewish Life” (Commentary, Oct. 5-6). Lerner effectively challenges the myths that the American Jewish community is either apathetic or politically and religiously right wing.

Sexism has no part in the Judaism that some of us practice today and we are working so that it will play no part in the Judaism of our daughters and sons. Here in Los Angeles, the third largest Jewish community in the world, the American Jewish Congress has created the Jewish Feminist Center. The first of its kind in the country, this visionary institution embodies what Lerner calls “taking back (women’s) rightful power in the Jewish world.” By providing Jewish women with innovative life-cycle ceremonies, by hosting a feminist Passover Seder, and by providing classes on Jewish women’s spirituality, we are spearheading the movement for women’s creative expression within Judaism.

BARBARA BALABAN, Co-chair, Commission on Women’s Rights Jewish Feminist Center, Los Angeles