Orthodox Halacha, Covenantal-Traditional Community, Egalitarian Aesthetic: Orthodoxy Moves Into the Future, with Dr. Mijal Bitton (190)

This podcast is called “The Orthodox Conundrum” and many of us self-identify as Orthodox, pray in Orthodox synagogues, affiliate with Orthodox institutions, and consider ourselves part of the wider Orthodox world. But is that term “Orthodox” - and perhaps the concept of denominations in general - a help or a hindrance? Do denominations lead to the building of walls that separate us, and the creation of institutions that are cornered into an inability to change? And let’s say that they do; is that a bad thing? Perhaps creating such boundaries is necessary, as without them Torah Judaism cannot effectively or functionally operate. These are important questions to consider, and given the radical realignment that may be possible in the wake of October 7th and its aftermath, we need to have these conversations now. For that reason, Scott was honored to speak with Dr. Mijal Bitton. This conversation with Mijal was precipitated not just by a desire to talk about the future of Orthodoxy, but even more by the need to highlight individuals who can help lead Torah Judaism into an as-yet unknown future. It seems that much, though of course not all, of our leadership has failed in this hour, and we must look in new directions in order to highlight new voices. Dr. Bitton is one of those newer voices, and her conversation with Scott covered many different topics, including the subtly changing attitudes of American Jews towards the events in Israel now that the war is 100 days old; the impact of anti-Israel activity on the psyche of the American Jewish community; her role as Rosh Kehilah at the Downtown Minyan in Manhattan and what that shul is doing to stay within the boundaries of Jewish law while trying to create a new model of openness - what she calls a Covenantal/Traditional Community that follows Orthodox Halacha along with inculcating an egalitarian aesthetic; the opportunities and limits of female participation in the synagogue; her work studying Sefaradic and Syrian Jewry: the problems with institutions; and more. Please listen to and share this podcast, and let us know what you think on the Orthodox Conundrum Discussion Group on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/432020081498108). Check out the Orthodox Conundrum Commentary on Substack and get your free subscription by going to https://scottkahn.substack.com/. Thanks to all of our Patreon subscribers, who have access to bonus JCH podcasts, merch, and more - we appreciate your help, and hope you really enjoy the extras! Visit the JCH Patreon site at https://www.patreon.com/jewishcoffeehouse. Check out https://jewishcoffeehouse.com/ for the Orthodox Conundrum and other great podcasts, and remember to subscribe to them on your favorite podcast provider. Also visit https://www.jchpodcasts.com/ to learn all about creating your own podcast. Music: "Happy Rock" by bensound.com