‘Dear RCA’ – This Catchy Tune Stands Up for Orthodox Women Rabbis

January 16, 2016 / Talia Lakritz

How do you feel about the Rabbinical Council of America’s position on women as rabbis? The RCA has adopted a policy banning the ordination or hiring of women rabbis.

Talia Lakritz has an awesome response with this original song that makes a some solid points – including that the Orthodoxy needs more women leaders, and that great Orthodox Jewish women leaders already exist.

With “just a hunch” that this new policy is more about “nasty politics” than anything else, Talia shows how we can find creative ways to stand up for what we believe in.

You can sign the petition supporting Orthodox women in leadership roles here.

With Love,
The Editors at Everyday Feminism

Click for the Transcript

You think women’s Talmud Torah is a “significant achievement”
As long as they don’t achieve too much
You say female rabbis are a “violation of mesorah”
But it sounds like nasty politics
Just a hunch

It’s not like anyone was really surprised
But I can’t help but wonder why
Why now why this is it really a crisis
When there are women waiting for a gett

You can’t take us down
With some scary little words that you write on a page
When there are facts on the ground
That Orthodoxy needs more women
In leadership positions
Because there already are

It’s your “sacred and joyful duty to transmit Judaism”
But last time I checked, sexism is not “sacred continuity”
You want “communally appropriate professional opportunities”
That’s what Maharats are busy doing with their lives already
Serving their communities
Appropriately
(Whatever that means)

It’s not like anyone was really surprised
But I can’t help but wonder why
Why now why this is it really a crisis
When there are women still waiting for a gett

You can’t take us down
With some scary little words that you write on a page
When there are facts on the ground
That Orthodoxy needs more women
In leadership positions
Because there already are

Oh, RCA, I hope that you’ll change your ways
I hope that you’ll come to see that 50% of the people have so much to give
So just let them live

You can’t take us down
With some scary little words that you write on a page
When there are facts on the ground
That Orthodoxy needs more women
In leadership positions
Because there already are

You can sign the petition supporting Orthodox women in leadership roles here.

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Talia Lakritz is an Editorial Intern at The Jewish Week, singer/songwriter, and YouTuber. Check her out on Twitter @nerdwithavoice.