Some rabbis at New York's Yeshiva University are in a kanipshin over professor Joy Ladin, formerly known as Jay.
Ladin, who heads the school's literature department, announced two years ago that she was transgender and planned on becoming a woman.
University leaders weren't pleased, but were powerless to stop Ladin, lest they find themselves in court, and now Ladin's returned to work with breasts in tow. And, of course, senior faculty are voicing their concern.
Rabbi Moshe Tendler of the rabbinical school simply can't stand Ladin's transformation – and says the Torah doesn't, either:
He's not a woman. He's a male with enlarged breasts. He's a person who represents a kind of amorality which runs counter to everything Yeshiva University stands for. There is just no leeway in Jewish law for a transsexual.There is no niche where he can hide out as a female without being in massive violation of Torah law, Torah ethics and Torah morality.
Meanwhile, Ladin's fighting with her family. Her wife has filed for divorce and took their three children away.
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As a graduate of Yeshiva University (YC '79) who is also transgender, I am glad to see that Professor Ladin has been able to retain her position. She is a distinguished academic and I hope that the prejudice she faces doesn't ruin her spirit.
I also know Rabbi Tendler from attending his classes. Some of my fellow students thought he was one of the worst teachers on campus. He is a holier-than-thou type, who thinks he *is* God, but minus the wisdom, humor or compassion. God bless her for being willing to spend her time among such people, but I also understand the financial realities. I'm not sure whether I wish for Professor Ladin to stay or be fired.
You go Silda!
I just wanted to write that even though her name is Joy!
Rabbi Tendler needs to tend to other things, it seems…
The More You Know…
If Ladin was a head rabbi, I could see her congregation complaining she went against the tenants of the faith (wrongheaded as they may be). But she teaches literature–there is no requirement that a teacher follow scripture, or even be Jewish, at YU. Unlike Christianity, Judaism doesnt force itself on everyone. Youre responsible for you own faith.
And by the way, Tendler–Yeshiva U receives lots of money from the state. That means it has to abide by New York anti-discrimination laws.
You know the word "kanipshin" is actually spelled conniption, right?
Yeshiva University is not JUST a religious institution, but a secular institution as well. At least half the faculty and most of the staff are not even Jewish and a minority are Orthodox Jews. There are gay faculty members too. There is no dress code for faculty. I am a female faculty member and I wear pants. I am married and do not cover my hair. It is not the university's business to tell a faculty member what they can wear and not wear, what religion they can be, how observant they must be if they do happen to be Jewish…. if the university chose to fight this (and not only would it have no legal leg to stand on because of Dr. Ladin's tenure), it would completely hypocritical. It would have to hire only Orthodox Jewish professors and make sure they follow Jewish law in dress, eating, marriage, custom. If Yeshiva University wants to be considered a good school on par with the top institutions in the country, to compete with Ivys and top Liberal Arts Colleges, it must behave as an institution of higher learning and not as an insular, religiously-motivated place stifling the diversity of ideas.