“Feminism is seen as a dirty word within the Jewish community and I want this to change.” That is the view of Melissa Leigh, co-chair of the new Union of Jewish Students Women’s Network.

The Western Wall has lately become a battleground in the struggle for egalitarianism. The arrest of women for praying in a tallit at the sacred site has sparked anger across the Jewish world and fuelled demands from non-Orthodox Jews in particular for equal religious rights.

Thousands of strictly Orthodox teenagers have attempted to stop the Women of the Wall from holding a service at the Western Wall.

Early on Friday morning, a police barricade stopped protesters from attacking the women who were given the legal right to pray at the wall in April. According to sources, the men were throwing rocks, water bottles and other items.

The woman who has made history by becoming the first chairwoman of a United Synagogue shul says she has no great desire for power and is simply looking forward to doing the job.

Karen Appleby was elected unanimously and unopposed at St Albans Synagogue’s AGM on Sunday.

One of the United Synagogue's smallest communities has made history by becoming the first US congregation to elect a woman chair.

Banking is an aggressive, competitive and challenging industry dominated by men. Women — especially Orthodox women — are noticeably absent from top positions in the financial industry. But it is not the workplace environment that is holding them back, says leading financier Judy Heicklen.