Tokyo

Jewish feminists and scholars like Ellen Umansky, in response to feminist midrash; claim that feminist midrash is Jewish, existing as an important tool employed in the fight against gender inequality within Judaism; They also claim it is a platform in which Jewish women’s voices can be heard.
This dissertation seeks to underscore the ramifications of these claims. Showing the implications of feminist theology on feminist midrash. The argument of this dissertation is, feminist midrash ironically typecasts and silences Jewish women, the research suggests that the implications for Jewish women are the same as in traditional midrash; in both cases their voice is silent, there is no equality, Jewish women are marginalized, again unable to take part in the discourse and writing of midrash.
An analysis of my arguments will be tested with opposing academic viewpoints. I begin by outlining rabbinic midrash, showing the roots of midrash and Jewish theology. I then examine the contexts in which feminist midrash discourse developed in the United States in conjunction with the scholarship of work labelling itself feminist midrash. Secondly, I review feminist theology and the methods Jewish feminists use to write midrash. to clarify what exactly classifies as feminist midrash. Finally concluding, that this research highlights the inaccuracies in the description of feminist midrash and the impacts of feminist theology. Making suggestions on how feminist theology can be used to express all Jewish people.