The k’vod hatzibbur argument, involving as it does references to the possibility of women appearing improperly dressed, indeed naked! or wearing sandals, and of perhaps embarrassing men by the other possibility of ‘sensual distraction’, is flabbergasting. Time and again we see the ridiculous excuse given in regard to women and religious Jewish men, that the men must be protected against their own predilections or fancies so the women must be curtailed or hidden. Nowhere is it thought that men are responsible for their own discipline where ‘distraction’ is concerned. K’vod hatzibbur is a travesty of human kind. It’s a weapon of power that has been used all these years to keep women in place, a place not equal to anything. I do not say these things as a feminist; I say them as a human being who happens to be a woman.

it’s time for this unthinking acceptance of such destructive ideas to change into common sense, open-hearted thought and embrace of both women and men to enjoy the life G-d has given them in parity. It’s time for Judaism to depart from sheep-like adherence and continue as the growing, vital religion it could and should be.