From Jerusalem to the Amish: Navigating Feminism, Media & Faith - with Rivka Neriya-Ben Shahar

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In this episode Rivka Neriya-Ben Shahar shares her unique journeys and research related to Ultra Orthodox Jewish and Amish communities. Rivka Neria-Ben Shahar discusses her path from growing up in a National Ultra Orthodox community in Israel to earning a Ph.D. with pioneering research on ultra-Orthodox women and media. Rivka recounts her adaptation from Jerusalem to Amish country, highlighting cultural exchanges and genuine friendships formed along the way. The episode delves into the challenges women face balancing motherhood and career, exploring themes of feminism, societal expectations, and personal fulfillment within strict religious frameworks. Through personal anecdotes and rigorous research, the episode contrasts traditional roles with modern lifestyles, providing deep insights into the lives of women in these unique communities. 00:00 Welcome and Introduction 00:34 Rivka's Religious and Professional Background 05:21 Journey to Feminism 07:28 Challenges and Conflicts 10:43 Research on Ultra Orthodox Women and Media 14:47 Strictly Observant: The Book 26:51 Fascination with the Amish 31:05 Exploring Community and Tradition 31:48 Admiration and Conflict 32:38 Life Choices and Happiness 33:54 Balancing Career and Family 36:35 Cultural Observations and Personal Reflections 42:33 Religious Practices and Personal Stories 49:05 Cultural Shocks and Comparisons 56:54 Podcast Journey and Reflections 01:00:36 Editing and Reflections on Motherhood

About Our Guest:

Dr. Rivka Neriya-Ben Shahar is a Ruth Melzer fellow at the Katz Center for Advanced Judaic Studies at Penn University. She is a senior lecturer at Sapir Academic College in Sderot, Israel, where she teaches courses on research methods, communication, religion, and gender. She is also a scholar at the Israel Democracy Institute, where she studies media usage among the Ultra-Orthodox Jewish community. Dr. Neriya Ben-Shahar investigates mass media from the perspectives of religion and gender. Her research addresses the tensions existing between religious values and new media technologies among women in Old Order Amish and Ultra-Orthodox Jewish communities. Her book, Strictly Observant: Amish and Ultra-Orthodox Jewish Women Negotiating Media, was published by Rutgers University Press in January 2024.

Buy The Book: https://www.amazon.com/Strictly-Observant-Ultra-Orthodox-Jewish-Negotiating/dp/1978805225

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