Norma Baumel Joseph

Norma Baumel Joseph is Associate Professor in the Department of Religion at Concordia University, Director of the Women and Religion specialization, and Graduate Program Director of the Doctoral Religion Program. Her teaching and research areas include women and Judaism, Jewish law and ethics, and women and religion. Norma appeared in and was consultant to the films Half The Kingdom and Untying the Bonds . . . Jewish Divorce. Her doctoral dissertation focused on the legal decisions of Rabbi Moses Feinstein as they describe and delineate separate spheres for women in the Jewish community. Since the early 1970’s she has promoted women’s greater participation Jewish religious and communal life. Founding member of the Canadian Coalition of Jewish Women for the Get (Jewish divorce), Dr. Joseph successfully worked with the community and the Federal Government to pass a law in 1990 (Divorce Act, ch.18, 21.1) that would protect Jewish women in difficult divorce situations and aid them in their pursuit of a Jewish divorce. Author of many publications, Norma Baumel Joseph has recieved numerous awards and grants in recognition of her scholarly and pedagogic talents.