215
The variety of activities that are now released in the ordinary synagogue calls for a number of workers, all of whom must be filled with the knowledge of God . The new work recently developed in the synagogue appeals particularly to the woman, who by nature and training is singularly fitted to undertake it.
It will be said in rebuttal that while the need and ability of these modern activities within the synagogue may require the professional assistance of women, these functions do not require the training and professional equipment of a rabbi. This is a mistake. Mere inclination provides access to those qualities of emotionalism and undisciplined enthusiasm which endanger the assistance of a woman. Professional training is required for the expert in the religious institution of the synagogue. In the departments of education, as our synagogues are elaborating them; a Jewish woman is particularly well qualified, provided her training in rabbinics is grounded in a thorough knowledge of the literature.
A Jewish woman is the logical adjunct to young people's societies and organizations, and no synagogue is complete without these new features.
The social activities of a congregation are dependent on the social instincts of a woman. Her rabbinical training enables her to link up these activities with tradition and provides the background of Jewish consciousness to this work.
The pulpit, and whatever pertains to it, is—and remains—a plane wherein man is by nature and temperament best qualified, although not exclusively so. But woman, by reason of self-limitation, is not disqualified. Viewing the rabbi in the light of a prophet and the man of vision, he—more than woman— responds to this unusual endowment. Men are prone to be idealists. They are quick to see visions. They are the dreamers. To but not exclusively(as the
men is given the gift of prophecy, careers of Hulda and Deborah testify). Men are called upon by God to be pathfinders, liberators, protagonists of right, bransword of justice before the hosts of evilight, men will face the outrages of the
dishing the shining doers. In the defense of r world alone.
On the other hand, women are conservative, and seldom are
impelled to stand forth and proclaim these eternal convictions.
They are pacifists, importunists, moderators, trimming their sails