Discussion Questions

1. Gender Roles in Judaism
2. The Mechitzah
3.  The Nature of Tradition
4.  Equality and Inequality at the Kotel
5.  Accommodating Liberal Jews
6.  The Authenticity of Orthodoxy

One teenager at the beginning of the film says that Judaism has been changing from some of its earlier “patriarchal” practices.

     What is meant by “patriarchy”?

     Are there parts of Jewish tradition that have not been equal in their treatment
            of men and women?

    What reasons are given in traditional Judaism for the different religious duties
           of men and women?

    What new rights have Jewish women gained in the last century that they may
           not have enjoyed before?
 

The division of men and women and the Kotel is the same as that found in all Orthodox synagogues.   In the film, Yishai says that mixing between men and women should be limited, but other teens say that the unity of the family and the congregation is destroyed by these separations.

    What are some reasons some Jews think mixing of men and women is a bad idea?

    Why don’t Reform, Conservative, and Reconstructionist Jews separate men and
             women at their services?

    Is it true that concentration is better when the sexes are separated?

    Can you think of any particular advantages or disadavantages to this practice?

    Would you be comfortable praying in sex-segregated space?

The historical images in the movie show that the area near the Kotel was used differently in the past than it is today.

    Can you identify ways in which the traditions at the Kotel have changed over time?

    What does Woody Allen’s character mean when he says “Tradition is the illusion of
              permanence”?  What do you  think?

    What are some reasons that a tradition might be abandoned?

    When is it OK to change traditions or to introduce new ones?

    The women’s section at the Kotel is smaller than the men’s, and women are not allowed
               to wear tallitot or pray aloud in groups.

    Some of the teenagers in the film think it’s reasonable to give women less space,
               but others think this arrangement supports the idea that women’s prayers are
               not as important as men’s.

    What do you think?

    What justifications are given for these differences?  How convincing do you find them?

    Would moving the mechitzah to the middle of the Kotel be a reasonable response to
               this issue?

    Some of the teenagers in the film suggest having both sex-separated space for those who
                prefer it and a mixed space for those who prefer that.

    Is this a good solution to the problem?

    Why don’t the Orthodox teens like this idea?

     Some people think of the practices of Orthodox Judaism as more authentic, more ancient,
               and possibly more true than other modern forms of Judaism.

    What do you think about this idea?

    Some people in the film say that when there is a conflict in practices among Jews, those
               who are less  strict in their observance should be go along with those who are more
               strict.  Is this the best solution?

    Is it possible to show respect for Orthodoxy when you disagree with its values and customs?
              For example, Laura says that praying where there is a mechitzah violates her own values
              and commitments.  What should she do?

    How should Orthodox Jews respond to customs of liberal Jews that conflict with their own
              customs?