Educational Media Reviews Online

Religious controversies have prompted some of history's worst conflicts, so it should come as no surprise that attempts of the Jewish women portrayed here to perform public rituals currently open solely to Jewish men has erupted into a minor war. This small group of women, who call themselves Women of the Wall (WOW), want to do three things that Orthodox rabbinical tradition forbids: (1) don prayer shawls and male head coverings to pray; (2) strap little boxes of prayers known as phylacteries (tefillin in Hebrew) to their foreheads and arms during prayer; and, (3) read the Torah. Furthermore, they want to do these things in public at Jerusalem's Western Wall, the holiest of all Jewish sites. Their cause and its plight in the face of rabid opposition from many within Jewish Orthodoxy is explored in this fast-paced, thought-provoking documentary.

Viewers will find Americans (U.S. and Canadians) in the forefront of the WOW movement. Most (though not all) members speak "American" and, possibly, hold dual citizenship in Israel, although that isn't noted. More to the point, they grew up learning and believing in precepts of religious pluralism, freedom to worship as one chooses, and freedom of expression, which may contribute to WOW's determined stand against the Israeli government's endorsement of traditionally-practiced Orthodox Judaism.

Another matter is the acceptability of women's Torah study. One might think it a trifling matter for women to study the sacred scrolls, but the very idea is sinful to those who hold extreme views. Rabbis and laypeople alike react angrily, admonishing WOW women to stick to the roles to which Orthodox Judaism assigns them-keeping a proper Jewish home, serving their spouses, raising children, and staying out of things that don't concern them, like studying the Torah. WOW claims that the prohibition on Torah study is symptomatic of a larger issue-consigning Jewish women to invisibility not only in religious affairs, but also in the workplace, the government, the military, and public society in general.

Live shots of WOW meetings, prayer services, and consciousness-raising activities; live interviews with WOW leaders, religious and governmental spokespeople; scenes of female passersby in Jerusalem being asked by WOW members to try on prayer shawls (the shawls, with designs symbolizing the foremothers of Israel, are sold via their Web site www.womenofthewall.com); and scenes of women learning Torah in their homes are interspersed with archival footage of Israeli TV news magazine interviews and court coverage. Camerawork and editing are seamless, settings are attractive and varied, and the action captures viewer interest. WOW sued in the Israeli Supreme Court for permission to pray in full regalia at the Wall to celebrate new moons, generally considered women's festivals. The Court chose not to rule. Instead, it appointed a Commission to develop a solution. A proposal that WOW hold services in an upper alcove away from the Wall has been deemed unacceptable, and WOW hopes the Court will issue a ruling.

As one raised to believe that worship should be free from government regulation, this reviewer finds opposing views hard to accept, even more so when they are expressed violently. However, Israel is a religious state and Orthodox Judaism is the sole recognized religion; so, any future solutions that emerge will likely require Orthodox approval.

Collections in Judaism, religion, Israel, women's studies, civil rights, human rights, and politics can benefit from acquiring Women of the Wall.

Highly recommended.