On the morning of Rosh Chodesh (the beginning of the month, a time when Jewish women’s groups often meet), I went with a friend to the Women of the Wall meeting at the Western Wall. Women are legally not allowed many of the same rights as men in prayer at the Western Wall, including wearing a tallit (prayer shawl) and tefillin (boxes that are strapped to the hand and the forehead during prayer, containing four sets of biblical verses).

Apparently, many times when they have prayed at the wall, they have had to ignore the women hired to keep people on the women’s side of the wall quiet, and even risk being arrested by the police. One of the women running the prayers said they normally ignore the police as well as the other women telling them not to pray, but because we were almost all American tourists, it would be better if we listened to the police. If we were to be arrested, she explained, we would probably be deported.

The woman who led us in prayer came from Beer Sheva, as she does every month. When she began to lead us in the morning service, we gathered around her to protect her from scrutiny.

An older woman who was dressed in a very modest fashion-she looked religious-came over to where we were praying. I began to brace myself to ignore her comments about women praying allowed when she began praying with us. Her voice was strong and loud as she joined our small group. It was an amazing moment; to find connection with a complete stranger because of a shared desire to see equality at our holy site.

A little information about Women of the Wall:

Women of the Wall work to:

“Deepen public understanding and awareness o the right or women to full access to public prayer at Judaism’s holiest accessible site,

“Strengthen and expand the capacity of the organization to reach out and influence broad circles o policy makers and opinion shapers regarding full access to prayer at the Western Wall for women,

“Expand the network of allies and partners who will advocate and take action on behalf of Women of the Wall,

And, “Model full religious empowerment for young Jewish women and girls for full religious empowerment.”

http://womenofthewall.org.il/