Women of, for, and at the Wall: A Performative Analysis of Gender Politics at the Western Wall in Jerusalem

A performative analysis reveals how the Women of the Wall (WoW) and Women for the Wall (W4W) challenge and contest gendered religious practices at the Western Wall, using bodily performances to assert agency and critique traditional norms. The study highlights the impact of surveillance, media, and opposition on WoW's practices, demonstrating how their actions both challenge orthodox standards and expose the complexities of liberal agency in cultural and religious contexts.

Sermer, T. (2019). Women of, for, and at the Wall: A Performative Analysis of Gender Politics at the Western Wall in Jerusalem. Women and Music: A Journal of Gender and Culture, 23(1), 48–74. https://doi.org/10.1353/wam.2019.0003