“The Wall” Part IV – This Wall is My Wall
In our final installment of 'The Wall' we return to the kotel to meet Jews who - in the name of their Judaism - have set off on a lifelong crusade
This story originally aired in September 2019.
In today’s episode, Zev Levi takes us to the heart of one of the most hotly contested issues among worldwide Jewry. He tells the story of two tough sisters-in-arms who – when faced with a new reality – had to analyze their pragmatism and idealism. Shulamit Magnus and Anat Hoffman were among the founders of the Women of the Wall. And for the last thirty years, they have been fighting for the right to pray at the Kotel as Jewish women, just like the men do. Theirs is a public and legal battle for freedom of religion, freedom of worship and gender equality. But it is also, at the end of the day, about the way we imagine the magical experiment called the Jewish State. So who are these Women of the Wall? Modern-day liberators? Feminist agitators? Anti-feminist provocateurs? In this tale of determination, perseverance, betrayal and heartbreak, we’ll hear it all.
The end song, “A Wall That Has a Door” is an original song commissioned by Israel Story. It was written, arranged and performed by Ari Jacob, together with Dotan Moshonov, Ruth Danon, Eden Djamchid and Ronnie Wagner-Schmidt.
About Israel Story: Israel Story is the award-winning podcast that tells extraordinary tales about ordinary Israelis. Often called “the Israeli ‘This American Life,’” we bring you quirky, unpredictable, interesting and moving stories about a place we all think we know a lot about, but really don’t. Produced in partnership with The Times of Israel.
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