I would like to respond to Alyssa Sonnenblick's question by relating a story.
Today I ran a Yom Iyyun at the Orot College of Education for 300 young women serving in Sherut Leumi. The day began with words of welcome and a Dvar Torah from the Dean of Students, Rabbanit Dr. Leah Vizel. After the session, a young woman approached me, and wanted to know how you become such a knowledgeable and impressive woman - to be both a Rabbanit and have a doctorate. I told her to ask her herself, and introduced them. Ironically, while Rabbanit Vizel earned her doctorate, she "achieved" the Rabbanit title - which is an apt and appropriate title for her, by dint of the fact that she married a rabbi.
Without an appropriate title, I cannot see a way for students to give the same respect to a female educators as her male counterparts receive. I also don't think that it's fair to expect a woman to earn a doctorate. It's not the same as semicha, and as we well know, there are many ways - some more rigorous than others - for rabbis to achieve the title "rabbi". The same is true - sadly - in too many communities - in the area of remuneration. Mrs. Klein all too often earns less than Rabbi Klein, despite the fact that both have equal experience, professional education, etc.
Especially in the area of education, perhaps there is an opportunity to find an appropriate title for female Jewish studies teachers. It would at first feel foreign, but over time afford women the level of respect that they deserve.
Rabbi Reuven Spolter
For Torah articles and shiurim, visit my website, spolter.net or my blog, Chopping Wood
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/11/2015 05:42PM by mlb.
