Honoring and Challenging Jewish Orthodoxy – Dr. Lindsay Simmonds

Living Our Beliefs: Exploring Faith & Religion in Daily Life

Episode 66.
Lindsay shares her experiences as an Orthodox Jewish woman, discussing her deep engagement with Orthodox Judaism, the challenges and frustrations she faces within her community, and her efforts in advocating for women's inclusion and agency in religious practices. This is a fitting conversation during the Jewish holiday of Passover, with its themes of journeys, change, and relationship with God. Also, one of the key elements of the Passover Seder just held around the world, is asking questions. Lindsey, in her ongoing Jewish study, teaching, and earlier doctoral work, is dedicated to asking questions and seeking the answers from within her British Orthodox perspective. Her lifelong passion for studying the Jewish sacred texts, as well as decades spent on increasing Orthodox women’s engagement with that material testify to the richness of these texts, and the value of using your knowledge to effect change, however long it takes.
Highlights:
· Lindsay's diverse roles and influences
· Women's agency in Orthodox Jewish communities
· Fulfillment and commitment to faith through Torah study
· Teaching and leading study groups
· Evolution of Social Norms and Halakhic Decisions
· Engagement with Orthodox learning, feminism, and at the London School of Jewish Studies
· Struggles and frustrations faced by women in the Orthodox community

Social Media links for Lindsay:
London School of Economics & Political Science (LSE), Religion & Global Society Unit (RGS) – https://www.lse.ac.uk/rgs

London School of Jewish Studies (LSJS) – https://www.lsjs.ac.uk/

Abraham Initiatives, UK – https://abrahaminitiatives.org/taiuk/

Council of Christians & Jews – https://ccj.org.uk/about-us

Midreshet Lindenbaum (Seminary) – https://www.midreshet-lindenbaum.org.il/

Nisa-Nashim – https://www.nisanashim.com/

Nishmat (Seminary) – https://nishmat.net/

Social Media links for Méli:
Talking with God Project – https://www.talkingwithgodproject.org
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/melisolomon/
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100066435622271
Transcript: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1851013/episodes/14953056

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The Living Our Beliefs podcast offers a place to learn about other religions and faith practices. When you hear about how observant Christians, Jews and Muslims live their faith, new ideas and questions arise: Is your way similar or different? Is there an idea or practice that you want to explore? Understanding how other people live opens your mind and heart to new people you meet.
Comments? Questions? Email Méli at – [e-mail]

The Living Our Beliefs podcast is part of the Talking with God Project – https://www.talkingwithgodproject.org/

فصول

1. Honoring and Challenging Jewish Orthodoxy – Dr. Lindsay Simmonds (00:00:00)

2. Introduction (00:00:05)

3. Background (00:02:45)

4. Lubavitch community and increased observance (00:05:43)

5. Encountering other Jewish denominations and religions (00:08:41)

6. Bringing strands of life together (00:10:33)

7. Points of Stress (00:16:39)

8. Staying within the Orthodox community (00:26:27)

9. Social norms become calcified (00:38:23)

10. Closing words (00:42:10)