In case you are unfamiliar with this periodical, the second issue of Klal Perspectives has been published recently. According to its description on the website, Klal Perspectives is "an electronic journal dedicated to addressing the unique challenges facing todays Orthodox communities. Each issue consists of a symposium in which a diverse group of rabbinic and lay leaders will share their different perspectives on a given topic, characterizing the challenges and proposing solutions."
This new journal tends to come from more of a Right-of-Center perspective. However, the issues have at least some applicable crossover with challenges considered within the Modern Orthodox as well. Furthermore, there is some level of diversity in the authors, as some might be labeled in the Centrist camp. The most recent issue www.klalperspectives.org deals with womens issues, in particular their role in the workplace. There are some implications for educators of young women in terms of curriculum and the making certain vocational paths acceptable and available. There are some obvious differences in the trajectories set among the MO, Centrist, and Right-Wing educational institutions for young women--which are largely a function of level insularity and desired gender separation. Then again, there have been some exceptions to what might be expected, including women with Ph.D. degrees who have emerged from a Bais Yaakov system. For such individuals, the blend of challenge and opportunity internally, as well as perceptions by relevant others (including former teachers) make for interesting case studies. On the other hand, anyone involved in education of young women must be intellectually honest about some of the spiritual and Halachic challenges when there are overcorrections which are made.
So, if you are uninitiated, you might want to review the current issue and then weigh in on any reactions within this thread. I presume that the comments will include some level of dissent and some level of agreement. It would be interesting to hear what people have to say. Assuming sufficient interest, I will re-join the thread midstream with my nomination of the article that I thought was the best.
Elly D. Lasson, Ph.D.
baltimore, MD
