LBC Principal featured in Voices for Prophetic Judaism booklet
LBC Principal, Rabbi Professor Deborah Kahn-Harris was invited to contribute to the Hanukkah edition of the ‘Voices for Prophetic Judaism’ booklet.
The booklet is co-edited by three LBC Alums, Rabbi Gabriel Kanter-Webber, Rabbi Dr Judith Rosen-Berry and Rabbi Elli Tikvah Sarah. It aims to provide a platform for prophetic voices and prophetic action, championing justice, peace, equality, human rights, and the planet. The Hanukkah edition, entitled ‘Judiths for Justice’ celebrates ‘inspirational Judiths, past and present’.
Read the full Hanukkah edition of Voices for Progressive Judaism here.
Rabbi Professor Deborah Kahn-Harris’ contribution focused on Judy Chicago, a pioneer of the Feminist Art Movement, born in Chicago. We were delighted to see Judy Chicago share the booklet on her social media profiles.
Judy Chicago said: “I am honored to be featured in this years “Judiths for Justice” Chanukkah booklet published by the British group Voices for Prophetic Judaism. The project takes inspiration from the heroism of the biblical Judith and “uncovers her story, her presence and her absence, and casts light on other Judiths for Justice, inviting us to reflect, night after night, on the role of courageous Jewish women in the pursuit of justice, from the original Judith until today.”
Other Judiths featured in the booklet include Judith Hauptman (the first woman to get a PhD in the Talmud), Judith Shklar (philosopher and political theorist), Yehudis Fletcher (Haredi activist), Judith-[Jack] Halberstam (queer theorist), Dr. Judith Plaskow (feminist theologian), and Judith Berkson (composer and cantor).”
See Judy’s full post here.
Reflecting on Judy Chicago’s words LBC Principal, Rabbi Professor Deborah Kahn-Harris, said: “I am delighted and honoured that Judy Chicago has shared the Voices for Progressive Judaism booklet on her Instagram account, particularly highlighting the piece that I wrote about her. Judy Chicago is an inspiration – over the many decades of her career, she has produced a body of art that is not merely aesthetically pleasing, but more importantly thought-provoking and challenging, using her art to reclaim pieces of women’s history and culture. And so much of her work was done in partnership with others, particularly other women, making not only the art they created, but their method and approach to creation a powerful model for how human beings can empower and lift each other up. As a long time feminist myself, I am indebted to the work of the generations of women, embodied and typified by women like Judy Chicago, who helped paved the way for me and so many other women to ensure that our voices can heard in the world.”