We are reaching out to ask that you refrain from publishing ads or posters that delete women. Either the ad should contain pictures of men and women or no pictures at all. Your current policy to “always ask the advertiser to strongly consider re-submitting the ad with the pics of the deleted women in there, as that is not necessary for our readership or community” is important, but this is not enough. We propose that The Jewish Link offer the service of removing all pictures if women are not included.
The Bordeaux Pesach Program’s ad in The Jewish Link shows pictures of all rabbinic speakers and entertainers except the one woman on the list, Shimi Adar. There was a two-page advertisement (February 21, 2025) for the Shisha Chesed Empire which ‘‘supports widows and children during every moment and milestone,” with drawings of men and boys, but no women or girls.
These ads send dangerous messages. We live in a community that encourages women to grow in Torah and Halacha. We have yoatzot halacha, beloved and brilliant female educators in all of our schools, camps and shuls, and female scholars in residence. Our shuls, schools and community organizations include female leadership. We have strong female role models in government and business fields.
We find it very hard to believe that The Jewish Link wants to encourage a view that teaches our daughters that they shouldn’t and can’t be seen in public. It teaches our sons that they are weak and can’t control themselves. What does our future look like if this is the message we teach our children?
Please partner with us to teach our children that they are all valuable, important, heard and seen.
