Neswiya/Feminist Religious Scholarship in Israel – in Islam and in Judaism

אסלאם בתי מדרש הלכה חברה ישראלית לימוד נשי מגדר פמיניזם אורתודוקסי

This comparative study examines the emergence of religious feminist scholarship in two distinct communities in Israel: Religious-Zionist Jewish women and Muslim women. The authors analyze how both groups use academic tools and religious knowledge to challenge patriarchal interpretations of sacred texts (Torah and Quran) from within the tradition. The term "Neswiya" refers to Islamic feminism. The study highlights similarities in their strategies - both groups seek to reclaim religious authority and reinterpret texts to promote gender equality. However, it also emphasizes a significant difference in power dynamics: Jewish religious feminists benefit from being part of the hegemonic majority in Israel, often receiving state or institutional support. in contrast, Muslim feminists face a "double marginalization": as a national minority within the state of Israel and as women challenging the patriarchy within their own religious community.