📖 Overview
Judith Plaskow is a prominent Jewish feminist theologian and professor emerita of religious studies at Manhattan College. She is widely recognized as one of the first Jewish theologians to identify as feminist, bringing gender analysis to Judaism and religious studies.
Her 1990 book "Standing Again at Sinai: Judaism from a Feminist Perspective" became a foundational text in Jewish feminist theology. The work examines traditional Jewish concepts through a feminist lens and argues for the full participation of women in Jewish religious life and practice.
As co-founder of The Journal of Feminist Studies in Religion, Plaskow helped establish feminist theology as an academic field. Her writings explore themes of sexuality, embodiment, and the intersection of feminist theory with Jewish thought.
Plaskow's influence extends beyond Judaism into broader religious feminist discourse through her collaborative work with Christian feminist theologian Carol P. Christ. Together they co-authored "Goddess and God in the World: Conversations in Embodied Theology" (2016), examining different approaches to divinity and religious experience.
👀 Reviews
Readers praise Plaskow's clear analysis of gender issues in Judaism and her accessible writing style. On Goodreads, "Standing Again at Sinai" receives appreciation for presenting complex theological concepts in understandable terms. Multiple reviewers note how the book helped them reconcile feminism with Jewish practice.
Readers highlight:
- Thorough examination of women's historical exclusion from Jewish tradition
- Practical suggestions for inclusive religious practice
- Balance between academic rigor and readability
- Strong scriptural and historical references
Common criticisms:
- Some find her proposals too radical for traditional Judaism
- Others say her reforms don't go far enough
- Academic tone can be dry in places
- Limited discussion of intersectionality
Average ratings:
- Goodreads: 4.2/5 (200+ ratings)
- Amazon: 4.5/5 (30+ reviews)
One reader noted: "Plaskow articulates what many Jewish women have felt but struggled to express." Another commented: "Changed how I view my place in Judaism, though I disagree with some conclusions."
📚 Books by Judith Plaskow
Standing Again at Sinai: Judaism from a Feminist Perspective (1991)
A theological work examining patriarchal elements in Jewish tradition and proposing feminist reinterpretations of Jewish theology, law, and practice.
The Coming of Lilith: Essays on Feminism, Judaism, and Sexual Ethics (2005) A collection of essays spanning 30 years addressing feminist theology, Jewish feminism, and sexuality in religious contexts.
Judaism Since Gender (1997) Co-edited with Miriam Peskowitz, this volume explores how gender theory impacts Jewish studies and religious interpretation.
Sex, Sin and Grace: Women's Experience and the Theologies of Reinhold Niebuhr and Paul Tillich (1980) An analysis of how Protestant theologians Niebuhr and Tillich addressed women's experiences in their theological frameworks.
Goddess and God in the World: Conversations in Embodied Theology (2016) Co-authored with Carol P. Christ, examining differing views on divinity through personal theological journeys and dialogue.
Women and Religion (1973) Co-edited with Joan Arnold Romero, presenting early feminist critiques of religious traditions and institutions.
The Coming of Lilith: Essays on Feminism, Judaism, and Sexual Ethics (2005) A collection of essays spanning 30 years addressing feminist theology, Jewish feminism, and sexuality in religious contexts.
Judaism Since Gender (1997) Co-edited with Miriam Peskowitz, this volume explores how gender theory impacts Jewish studies and religious interpretation.
Sex, Sin and Grace: Women's Experience and the Theologies of Reinhold Niebuhr and Paul Tillich (1980) An analysis of how Protestant theologians Niebuhr and Tillich addressed women's experiences in their theological frameworks.
Goddess and God in the World: Conversations in Embodied Theology (2016) Co-authored with Carol P. Christ, examining differing views on divinity through personal theological journeys and dialogue.
Women and Religion (1973) Co-edited with Joan Arnold Romero, presenting early feminist critiques of religious traditions and institutions.
👥 Similar authors
Rachel Adler focuses on feminist Jewish theology and ethics. She examines gender roles in Jewish law and ritual practice through works like "Engendering Judaism."
Rosemary Radford Ruether writes about feminist theology across Christian traditions and liberation theology. Her work addresses patriarchal structures in religious institutions and ecological concerns.
Carol P. Christ analyzes goddess spirituality and feminist religious traditions. She developed theories about women's religious experience and critiqued male-centered religious symbols.
Mary Daly critiques patriarchal religion from a radical feminist perspective. She explores post-Christian feminist spirituality through philosophical and theological frameworks.
Elisabeth Schüssler Fiorenza examines biblical interpretation through feminist critical methods. She focuses on reconstructing early Christian history from women's perspectives and developing feminist theological methodologies.
Rosemary Radford Ruether writes about feminist theology across Christian traditions and liberation theology. Her work addresses patriarchal structures in religious institutions and ecological concerns.
Carol P. Christ analyzes goddess spirituality and feminist religious traditions. She developed theories about women's religious experience and critiqued male-centered religious symbols.
Mary Daly critiques patriarchal religion from a radical feminist perspective. She explores post-Christian feminist spirituality through philosophical and theological frameworks.
Elisabeth Schüssler Fiorenza examines biblical interpretation through feminist critical methods. She focuses on reconstructing early Christian history from women's perspectives and developing feminist theological methodologies.