The meaning of 'Agunot' for Jewish Women today and the Challenges for this tradition in the Human Rights Framework - Sustaining Jewish Life in a Changing Europe

Agunot (singular Agunah) is the Hebrew  term for a Jewish woman who is "chained" to her marriage. Historically, it was applied to cases of husbands who disappeared while on a journey or on the battlefield.  Today it refers to a woman whose husband refuses, or is unable, to grant her a Jewish  divorce (a get). In Jewish law for a divorce to be effective, a man must grant his wife a get of his own free will. Without a get no new marriage will be recognized, and all children she might have later would be considered a mamzer, a child who carries a religious stigma. Throughout Jewish history, rabbis and scholars have searched for Jewish law solutions to the plight of the Agunah. But in practice it causes difficult situations for women of Jewish religion today and it can create a situation of inequality between women and men. A woman might not be allowed to marry again and any child she might bear to another man would be considered a mamzer. A man is similarly not permitted to marry before being divorced, but a rabbinical permit (heter) can sometimes allow him to take a second wife  and his future children will not carry a religious stigma. For Jewish women in Europe and elsewhere this conflicts with the provisions of International Human Rights Instruments as CEDAW, other treaties or national secular laws.

How are to-day Jewish communities dealing with this? How can this heritage be transformed into a way of being in compliance with principles as equality and human rights?

After the honorable guest speaker's contribution all participants are invited to join an open discussion.

PROGRAM:

Welcome by Cornelia Maimon Levi, Chair of the Jüdischer Frauenbund and Lara Dämmig, Chair of Bet Debora e.V., Berlin

Moderation by Marion Böker, human rights expert, Bet Debora e.V., Berlin

GUEST SPEAKER:

Dr. Sharon Shenhav, International Women's Rights Lawyer, Director of the International Jewish Women's Rights Project of ICJW, Jerusalem

"Agunot - challenges of the compliance within the framework of international human rights instruments such as CEDAW and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights"

Location: Cantrum Judaicum, Seminarraum No. B1.02

Organizer: The Jüdischer Frauenbund in Deutschland & Bet Debora