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hadassahbrandeis.bsky.social
Hadassah Brandeis Institute HBI
@hadassahbrandeis.bsky.social
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The Hadassah-Brandeis Institute/HBI supports and promotes research at the intersection of Jewish studies and women’s and gender studies through residencies, grants, internships, exhibitions, a journal, book series, and public events. www.brandeis.edu/hbi/
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hadassahbrandeis.bsky.social
Congrats @uofmichigan.bsky.social Prof. Cara Rock-Singer, winner @jewishstudies.bsky.social 2025 Jordan Schnitzer First Book Publication Award for "Gestating Judaism: The Corporeal Technologies of American Jewish Religion". Proud to have supported this w/ an HBI Research Award! #jewsky #hbiresearch
Logo text Brandeis HADASSAH-BRANDEIS INSTITUTE, text below AJS 2025 Jordan Schnitzer First Book Publication Award, Cara Rock-Singer, Gestating Gestating Judaism: The Corporeal Technologies of American Jewish Religion, Congratulations to Prof. Cara Rock-Singer! 2023 HBI Research Award recipient, funded by the HBI Project on Gender, Culture, Religion and the Law, in support of Gestating Judaism. Photo of Cara Rock-Singer.
November 21, 2025 at 3:31 PM
hadassahbrandeis.bsky.social
📢 HBI Seminar with DOTAN BROM 📢
HBI Scholar in Residence
DEC 8 / 12:30-1:30 pm EST at HBI & online
"The Lesbian Feminists Are the Bridge": Anglo-American Feminists and the Rise of Lesbian Activism in Israel (1971–1987)
Info/Reg: bit.ly/HBIEVENTS
Looking forward @dotanbrom.bsky.social! #jewsky
Logo, Hadassah-Brandeis Institute, below left: photo of Dotan Brom, right text, HBI Seminar Series, 'The Lesbian Feminists are the Bridge': Anglo-American Feminists and the Rise of Lesbian Activism in Israel (1971-1987), Dotan Brom, HBI scholar in residence. Text below: December 8, 12:30-1:30 pm EST Hybrid
November 11, 2025 at 10:34 PM
hadassahbrandeis.bsky.social
#HBIConversations: Yehudis Fletcher "Chutzpah! A Memoir of Faith, Sexuality and Daring to Stay": Nov 18, 11:30 am EST online. Raised in an Orthodox Jewish community, Fletcher's sexuality conflicted w/ expectations of family and community. Her daring decision: to stay. #jewsky bit.ly/HBIConversat...
Book cover which shows a girl lighting chanukah candles with the text Chutzpah A Memoir of Faith Sexuality and Daring to Stay Yehudis Fletcher, photo of Yehudis Fletcher
November 9, 2025 at 11:22 PM
hadassahbrandeis.bsky.social
👏 to Ayelet Brinn, “A Revolution in Type: Gender and the Making of the American Yiddish Press”, Rachel Gordan, “Postwar Stories: How Books Made Judaism American”, & all recipients of the AJS 2025 Jordan Schnitzer Book Awards! We're proud to have supported both Brinn's and Gordan's research. #jewsky
Two books covers, Text A Revolution in Type, Gender and the Making of the American Yiddish Press, Ayelet Brinn, and Rachel Gordan, Postwar Stories, How Books Made Judaism American.
November 7, 2025 at 9:39 PM
hadassahbrandeis.bsky.social
This week, HBI was pleased to welcome Tal Hochman, executive director of the Israel Women's Network. Hochman spoke about the challenges faced by Israeli women from the war and from legislative proposals brought forth by the current government seeking to limit women's rights. #jewsky
Tal Hochman standing in front of a screen at a lecture, pointing to a slide with text WOMEN ARE ABSENT FROM THE DECISION-MAKING TABLE and information: 93 men/31 women in Knesset, 2 men/5 women government ministries, 20 men/0 women Director General of Government Ministries, 241 men/15 women Head of Municipality. Two smiling women standing together in a lecture hall in front of a slide with text Israel Women's Network.
November 7, 2025 at 7:59 PM
hadassahbrandeis.bsky.social
Next week: Dr. Gabriela Spector-Mersel (Sapir College Sadot Resilience and Growth Center) will present findings from her analysis on cases of captive women civilians and the developing interventions to assist them in adapting to routine life after release. 11/11, 1:30 pm EST HYBRID bit.ly/HBIEVENTS
Image of Gabriela Spector Mersel with text HBI Seminar Series How to Survive Israeli Women Civilians Coping with Hamas Captivity Gabriela Spector-Mersel MSW PhD Sapir College, November 11 1:30 pm EST Hybrid
November 4, 2025 at 7:02 PM
hadassahbrandeis.bsky.social
Last weekend, HBI Director Lisa Fishbayn Joffe was in conversation with Rabbi Angela Buchdahl, Senior Rabbi of Central Synagogue in NYC, about her memoir, “Heart of the Stranger: An Unlikely Rabbi's Story of Faith, Identity, and Belonging”. 🙏 Rabbi Buchdahl and to #Brandeis Hillel for organizing!
Two women sitting together on a stage in conversation. Text above on the screen: Brandeis University, October 26, 2025. A woman on a stage playing the guitar and singing. Book cover with photo of Angela Buchdahl and text Heart of the Stranger: An Unlikely Rabbi's Story of Faith, Identity, and Belonging, Angela Buchdahl
October 31, 2025 at 7:06 PM
hadassahbrandeis.bsky.social
Next week: Tal Hochman of the Israel Women’s Network discusses challenges for Israeli women since Oct. 7 - job loss, displacement, economic insecurity and more. She will explore these urgent realities & the fight for equality in a time of crisis. Nov. 6, 4 pm at HBI. Reg: forms.gle/AwX2WMZ7T5dB...
Logo, Brandeis, Hadassah-Brandeis Institute, Text: Beyond October 7: The Impacts of the War on Israeli Women, Tal Hochman, Israel Women's Network, Executive Director, November 6, 4 PM at HBI, with a photo of Tal Hochman
October 29, 2025 at 10:15 PM
hadassahbrandeis.bsky.social
Tomorrow! Join HBI for a discussion of surrogacy in the US & Israel with Elly Teman and Zsuzsa Berend, authors of "A Tale of Two Surrogates, A Graphic Narrative on Assisted Reproduction", an HBI Research Award-supported book!
OCT 30, 12:30 pm EDT online. Register: bit.ly/HBIConversat... #jewsky
Text: Sandra Seltzer Silberman HBI Conversations Series, Book cover, A TALE OF TWO SURROGATES: A GRAPHIC NARRATIVE ON ASSISTED REPRODUCTION, showing two women, one pregnant in a gown and the other stretching for a race. Text: A Tale of Two Surrogates: A Graphic Narrative on Assisted Reproduction, Elly Teman and Zsuzsa Berend, art by Andrea Scebba. Headshots of Elly Teman and Zsuzsa Berend.
October 29, 2025 at 9:59 PM
hadassahbrandeis.bsky.social
Congratulations to 2022 HBI Scholar in Residence @miriamudel.bsky.social on the recent publication of “Modern Jewish Worldmaking Through Yiddish Children's Literature”! HBI is delighted to have supported Udel and her research on the wonderful, adventurous “New Girl” during her residency. #hbischolar
Book cover with text Modern Jewish Worldmaking Through Yiddish Children's Literature, Miriam Udel, with several small illustrations
October 21, 2025 at 6:31 PM
hadassahbrandeis.bsky.social
Join HBI online at our next program in the Sandra Seltzer Silberman Conversations Series with Elly Teman and Zsuzsa Berend on Oct. 30 (12:30 pm EDT), authors of “A Tale of Two Surrogates, A Graphic Narrative on Assisted Reproduction”. Register: bit.ly/HBIConversat... #hbiconversations
Text: Brandeis, Hadassah Brandeis Institute, Sandra Seltzer Silberman HBI Conversatins Series, Book cover, A TALE OF TWO SURROGATES: A GRAPHIC NARRATIVE ON ASSISTED REPRODUCTION, showing two women, one pregnant in a gown and the other stretching for a race. Text: A Tale of Two Surrogates: A Graphic Narrative on Assisted Reproduction, Elly Teman and Zsuzsa Berend, art by Andrea Scebba. Headshots of Elly Teman and Zsuzsa Berend. Text Oct. 30, 12:30 pm EDT Online
October 16, 2025 at 7:38 PM
hadassahbrandeis.bsky.social
Please join HBI and the Schusterman Center for Israel Studies at @brandeisuniversity.bsky.social on October 23 (7 pm) for this important talk with Prof. Ruth Halperin-Kaddari, "Recognition and Justice for Victims of Sexual Violence in Conflict". Info and registration: bit.ly/HBIRuthHalpe...
Text: HBI Project on Gender, Culture, Religion and the Law and the Schusterman Center for Israel Studies, Prof. Ruth Halperin-Kaddari, Recognition and Justice for Victims of Sexual Violence in Conflict, photo of Ruth Halperin-Kaddari
October 16, 2025 at 6:25 PM
hadassahbrandeis.bsky.social
As we near the second anniversary of October 7, HBI presents a series of programs that consider new research on the impact of the war on the experience of Jewish women in and outside of Israel.
Oct 23: Ruth Halperin-Kaddari
Nov 6: Tal Hochman
Nov 11: Gabriela Spector-Mersel
Visit bit.ly/HBIEVENTS
Brandeis Hadassah Brandeis Institute logo Text explore the aftermath of October 7 with HBI, OCT 23 Ruth Halperin Kaddari right text Recognition and Justice for Victims of Sexual Violence in Conflict Prof Ruth Halperin Kaddari Professor LLM JSD, NOV 6 Beyond October 7 The real impact of the ongoing war on women in Israel Tal Hochman Israel Womens Network Executive Director, NOV 11 Gabriela Spector Mersel with text HBI Seminar Series How to Survive Israeli Women Civilians Coping with Hamas Captivity Gabriela Spector Mersel MSW PhD, with photos of the three women
October 6, 2025 at 8:55 PM
hadassahbrandeis.bsky.social
Shana Tova, wishing you a sweet and healthy new year from HBI!
Text Brandeis HADASSAH-BRANDEIS INSTITUTE A sweet and healthy new year shana tova from HBI with an image of a bowl of honey sitting on top of slices of green apples
September 22, 2025 at 5:38 PM
hadassahbrandeis.bsky.social
Tomorrow! Join the Hadassah-Brandeis Institute & the Women’s Studies Research Center at Brandeis University to welcome back Shulamit Reinharz, founding director of both, for a talk about her latest book, "Hiding in Holland: A Resistance Memoir". 4 pm EDT Hybrid, in-person/online. bit.ly/HBIEVENTS
Text Hiding in Holland A Resistance Memoir Brandeis Hadassah-Brandeis Institute, Women's Studies Research Center, Shulamit Reinharz, Sept 10 4-5:30 EDT Hybrid with book cover showing a man milking a cow, logo National Jewish Book Award Finalist, and a photo of Shulamit Reinharz
September 9, 2025 at 9:26 PM
hadassahbrandeis.bsky.social
We're looking forward and delighted to co-sponsor this author conversation tomorrow, Wed., 9/10, at The Tauber Institute for the Study of European Jewry at Brandeis University: Noa Shashar and Professor ChaeRan Freeze on "The Marital Knot: Agunot in the Ashkenazi Realm, 1648-1850" bit.ly/HBIEVENTS
Left book cover with text Marital Knot Agunot in the Ashkenazi Realm 1648 to 1850 Noa Shashar and image of a woman's dress made of hundreds of pieces of paper Right top Headshot of Noa Shashar text Noa Shashar PhD Bottom Headshot of ChaeRan Freeze text ChaeRan Freeze PhD
September 9, 2025 at 9:19 PM
hadassahbrandeis.bsky.social
Join HBI this September!

Visit HBI online for the full line-up of September events: bit.ly/HBIEVENTS
collage of people and book covers
August 20, 2025 at 7:33 PM
hadassahbrandeis.bsky.social
✨HBI Open House✨ Mon., Sept. 8, 4:30 pm at HBI. Join us to share a bite to eat, meet the HBI community and more. Stay for the conversation: ✨"Jewish College Students Reflect on Israel-Gaza and Campus Polarization"✨ 5:30-6:30 pm, w/ Jonathan Krasner, PhD, and Cheryl Weiner, PhD. bit.ly/HBIEVENTS
Text: Brandeis, Hadassah-Brandeis Institute, Monday, September 8, HBI Fall Open House, 4:30-5:30 pm and Conversation: Jewish College Students Reflect on Israel-Gaza and Campus Polarization, 5:30-6:30 pm
August 13, 2025 at 8:16 PM
hadassahbrandeis.bsky.social
HBI Conversations Series opens this year on SEPT 18 (online) w/ @tracyslater.bsky.social, author of "Together in Manzanar: The True Story of a Japanese Jewish Family in an American Concentration Camp". Cosponsor @brandeisuniversity.bsky.social Alumni Association.
Info/Register bit.ly/HBIConversat...
Top text: Brandeis, Hadassah-Brandeis Institute, Sept 18 online, Cosponsor Brandeis University Alumni Association. Below, book cover showing 3 people, a mother, father, and young child, standing in front of a barrack apartment, with text: Together in Manzanar: The True Story of a Japanese Jewish Family in an American Concentration Camp, Tracy Slater, overlaid by an American flag. Photo of Tracy Slater. Bottom text: Sandra Seltzer Silberman Conversations Series
August 7, 2025 at 10:45 PM
hadassahbrandeis.bsky.social
Great to see the ongoing working relationship btwn @rachelbgross.bsky.social, HBI Research Assoc./Assoc. Prof., San Fran. State Univ., and Naomi Piper-Pell, rising Mount Holyoke College senior/2024 HBI Gilda Slifka Intern. Last summer, Piper-Pell worked w/ Gross to transcribe Mary Antin's letters..
Two people stand together for a photo outside on a patio. Behind them are green plants, a picnic table and a sun umbrella.
July 31, 2025 at 6:45 PM
hadassahbrandeis.bsky.social
CALL FOR PAPERS: Nashim No. 48: Jewish Feminism In Canada, Developments In The Field

Festschrift honoring Norma Baumel Joseph upon her retirement from Concordia Univ. we seek proposals for papers honoring her leadership in Jewish feminism & Canadian Jewish studies networks.h-net.org/group/announ...
Journal cover with text, Nashim, A Journal of Jewish Women's Studies and Gender Issues with graphic image of people painting the walls of an apartment building.
July 29, 2025 at 3:40 PM
hadassahbrandeis.bsky.social
👏👏 to recent @brandeisuniversity.bsky.social graduate Dahlia Matanky on receiving the Brandeis Library's Research Excellence Prize for her undergraduate senior thesis: “Sacred Sensuality: Exploring Young Orthodox Women’s Understandings and Experiences of Halakhic and Communal Sexual Norms”. 🔗 ⬇️
Logo: Brandeis, Hadassah-Brandeis Institute. Image: Headshot of Dahlia Matanky. Text: Dahlia Matanky wins Brandeis University Library's Research Excellence Prize. This senior thesis was an exemplary study that integrated a wide range of sources to offer original theorizations of Orthodox women’s sexuality by exploring not only sex education but also their daily lived experiences, including traumatic moments of abuse and sexual violence that were silenced by communal norms. ChaeRan Freeze, Ph.D., Frances and Max Elkon Chair in Modern Jewish History.
July 14, 2025 at 8:10 PM
hadassahbrandeis.bsky.social
We’re delighted to share this July 17 online event “Reproductive Justice, Religion and Art” featuring artist and curator Caron Tabb, artist Zahra Bukhari, and artist and scholar @rcromer.bsky.social #jewsky #reproductivejustice #art #religion Register: purdue-edu.zoom.us/meeting/regi... 1/
Text: Reproductive Justice, Religion and Art with three photos of people: Caron Tabb, Zahra Bukhari, Risa Cromer. Text below: Religion and Reproductive Politics 2025 Public Speaker Series; Sponsored by Reproductive Righteousness Project, Henry Luce Foundation and AAR Advancing Public Scholarship Grant program.
July 8, 2025 at 6:48 PM
hadassahbrandeis.bsky.social
HBI is delighted to announce the establishment by Shulamit and Jehuda Reinharz of the Ilse Hertha Strauss Rothschild Research Awards on Women, Gender and the Holocaust. Read more at HBI's Blog www.brandeis.edu/hbi/blog/202... #jewsky #hbiresearchawards #jewishstudies #holocaust #shoah #jewishhistory
A black and white photo showing a family in the early 1900s consisting of two parents and three small children standing outdoors on a path among trees
July 2, 2025 at 9:26 PM
hadassahbrandeis.bsky.social
The HBI Series on Jewish Women @brandeispress.bsky.social publishes books about Jewish women’s & gender issues in diverse contexts. WEDDING SONG: MEMOIRS OF AN IRANIAN JEWISH WOMAN is Farideh Goldin's passionate account of her childhood in a poor Jewish household in prerevolutionary Iran...🧵 #jewsky
Book cover, text: Wedding Songs, Memoirs of an Iranian Jewish Woman, Farideh Goldin, with a photo a young girl with braided hair staring somberly straight ahead.
June 24, 2025 at 7:52 PM