Women's Minyan

I've long been a fan of Ms. Ragen's fiction, so I was interested in how she would cast her characters in a play. The Women's Minyan was faithful to her past work, yet it was difficult to build the empathy that one normally does with Ms. Ragen's protagonists. A play, however, doesn't build with the same time materials as fiction, and in that respect, the pace was perfect. I appreciated the effort to expose some of the extremes that exist in ultra-Orthodoxy. The first instinct a Jewish reader might have is an impulse to say, "Hey, these people don't represent my own beliefs and observance," but it's not the writer's job to represent every sect or stream of Judaism. It's the writer's choice whether she writes from an ultra-orthodox viewpoint or that of the srugim, the best examples of a religion, the worst, or somewhere in between. Ms. Ragen chose her voice and has taken on the job of urging social justice upon all Jews, and perhaps upon the occasional non-Jewish reader (to whom much of the play would be a mystery) by exposing the extremes of insularity and hypocrisy that lead to extremism. In that sense, it's not just a Jewish problem or any religious problem, but a human problem. American politics today is the secular version of this play. The difference is that a huge revelation of character cancer does not bring enlightenment or realization of extremism, but a doubling down on demonization of those who see and practice American life differently. The most disappointing aspect of religiously-sponsored oppression of women (I don't believe for one minute that G-D sanctions it) is that it is frequently women who are the indoctrinated enforcers. I appreciate Ms. Ragen's exposure of domestic violence (within any male-dominated culture or institution). In my first fiction work, some readers fell out of love with the story because of a couple of harsh scenes of domestic violence. In fiction, however, there is no story if everyone acts according to his or her best nature. In real life, domestic violence, coercion, and sexual harassment is neither a new story, nor is it novel to those who've suffered from it. This is another fine work from Ms. Ragen and worth the time invested in the read. Highly recommend.

I was very disappointed when I realized that the book was written as a play, but I decided to read it anyway. It was eye opening and reinforced what I think about religion taken to its EXTREME. I would recommend this book. It's also a quick read

Heartbreaking and at (very few) times uplifting, this book gives a look into ultra-othodox (or Haredi) Judaism from the women's side. Based on a true story, it highlights the lives of women in this area of religious Judaism, which can be harsh and unforgiving towards women. The book also focuses on how women should stand up for themselves in a world where they are shackled by religious men.

The story is meaningful to all women. The changes the author would like to see will take some time before it happens. In the Haredi community where this story takes place, change does not happen. The women live in secrecy from themselves and other women. When a critical event occurs in the community, the protagonist who is ousted from the community begs for a judgment by the women in her milieu. Although she has been shunned and living apart from her community she begs and pleads for the truth and honesty. When the women all agree to tell the truth and be honest, what is revealed is shocking. She is vindicated by her "sisters" and although she must return to living outside her environment, she is appeased knowing that a very tiny step has been taken to save other women from her destiny. A very good read.

The play gives a great deal of information about how things are in certain religious sects. It was informative and well written. It is amazing that people can actually live like this and suffer so much.

Naomi Ragen has long championed the rights and causes of those who have little voice through her columns in the Jerusalem Post, and her play Women's Minyan is just another example of her dedication to those who the world does not seem to hear. Do not be put off by the fact that Women's Minyan is meant to be performed as a play, as it translates well on the page and is impossible to put down. Opening a window into the insular world of Ultra-Orthodox Judaism, Ragen sheds light on the struggles a woman often faces when attempting to divorce her husband under the jurisdiction of a Beit Din, or religious court. Women's Minyan is based on the true story of a woman from Jerusalem, giving even more power to Ragen's play.

I enjoyed this book. It is the struggle of a woman to see her children despite religious and cultural law. So a minyan "jury" is formed unofficially to decide if she should be allowed to see her children. The book is an interesting peek into Jewish law and domestic violence.

This play shows the power of the ultra orthodox community to control behavior, especially of women. There are many communities in the USA like the one portrayed here. It is frightening and sad.

Naomi Regan is my favourite authoress, I have read and re read all of her books. Fabulous books for book clubs. This play was very different but a really good read

Disturbing insight into shared way of life

Excellent although short as written as a play.

The content is interesting but it's annoying to read this as a play rather than a novel.