Heterodox Jewish Woman Podcast

Important Announcement!! New RE Judaism Substack

I launched the Heterodox Jewish Woman substack in February 2024 primarily to share my work on the gender issue as this affects Judaism. Quickly the focus broadened to inc

Death-Affirmative Care

Physician assisted suicide and the economic impossibility of safeguarding For best results and links to related articles and to read my other work, find this post on Sub

The curious case of Michal's tefillin -- "Trans" Biblical characters in Jewish tradition? (Part 2 of 2):

The disturbing origin of oft-quoted religious narratives of "gendered souls". To watch this on video and for full access to notes and resources, go to https://shirabaty

"Trans" Biblical characters in Jewish tradition? (Part 1 of 2)

The disturbing origin of oft-quoted religious narratives of "gendered souls". To watch this on video and for full access to notes and resources, go to https://shirabatya

Insidious Racism and the "Jerusalem Declaration" on Antisemitism

Why no definition of racism can ignore double standards Originally published on 22 February 2022. Re-posted as a podcast February 2025 Written article with links to res

Gender Ideology in the Jewish Community

How we got into the mess we are in, and how we can find a way forward that is compassionate, realistic, and authentically Jewish. Today I am interviewed by Jo Brew of Wo

Worldviews and the Pan Berkshire Syllabus Saga

How a post-modern deconstruction of religious education threatens the most effective tool our society has to inoculate children against antisemitism and other interethnic

But Which Religion is Correct?

A Rebbetzin, a Priest and a Muslim scholar discuss the problem of Truth in interfaith education For easily readable notes on this episode, go to https://shirabatya.subst

Accepting a Rusty Penny: J K Rowling and the Power of Forgiveness

J K Rowling's reluctance to forgive Dan and Emma is understandable, but a story from Reb Shlomo Carlebach shows us why she should be more generous. Reb Shlomo tells of a

"Trans healthcare is healthcare" WPATH and the Queering of Consent

It is a mistake to focus excessively on the problem that children lack capacity to consent to trans medicalisation. The problem is much more serious than that. This audi

Can we Mend Diversity Training

Organisations such as MEND and Stonewall can no longer be allowed to dominate diversity training. The potential solution may surprise you. You can find a written version

David Miller: You are no Jo Phoenix

Jews and Feminists have common cause against extremists who wish to shut down debate. Any conflict of interests is illusory. I speak carefully here and I recommend list

Non-halachic Judaisms

This year at Limmud Conference, I was privileged to attend a number of lectures by Ysoscher Katz, who heads Yeshivat Chovevei Torah.  These talks have helped clarify in m