Hasidic Women in the Media

In a compelling lecture performance, author Jessica Roda presents themes from
her groundbreaking book _For Women and Girls Only_ , joined by actress,
writer, and producer Malky Goldman—the book’s remarkable protagonist. The
event offers a nuanced exploration of the representation of Hasidic female
identity in media, on screen, and on stage. Goldman, who was raised in the
ultra-Orthodox neighborhood of Mea Shearim in Jerusalem, shares her deeply
personal journey navigating the arts from within and beyond the boundaries of
her Hasidic upbringing. Through dialogue, multimedia, and live performance,
the evening exposes the tensions between tradition and self-expression,
visibility and erasure, community expectations and artistic freedom. Roda
contextualizes Goldman’s story within broader questions of gender, religion,
and representation, challenging reductive portrayals of Hasidic women in
mainstream media. Goldman’s voice—grounded, creative, and courageous—offers a
powerful counter-narrative, reclaiming agency and complexity for Hasidic
female identities on public stages. The performance invites audiences to
reconsider assumptions and listen to stories often silenced or misunderstood.

Organized by: U-M Frankel Center for Judaic Studies

View event on Jlive: https://jlive.app/events/13938