The school was founded by Rabbi Avi Weiss of New York's Hebrew Institute of Riverdale, who is an advocate for the expansion of women's rights in Orthodox Judaism. Earlier this year, Sara Hurwitz completed eight years of training under Weiss and passed her rabbinical ordination exams, just as male rabbinical student would. Even though she has been performing rabbinical duties, she uses the recently-invented title "Maharat" from "Manhiga Hilchatit Ruchanit Toranit," meaning, Jewish legal and spiritual leader and Torah teacher. The brief announcement about the new school only said it will "train women to become Orthodox Spiritual Leaders– full members of the Rabbinic Clergy– in Synagogues, Schools, and on University Campuses."

In an essay about Hurwitz on The Huffington Post, Leora Tanenbaum wrote, "I suppose, 'Maharat' will cease to sound silly and gobbledy-gooky, and we will accept it as a legitimate title. But it will continue to belittle the women who hold it — and, by extension, all women — because it will always signify 'she who is not fit to be called 'rabbi.'"

Breaking News: Yeshivat Mahara"t [Jew School]

A Rabbi Is Not A Rabbi [HuffPo]

When Moe and I went to the Baby Phat/KLS show in 2007, it was held at Roseland ballroom, a venue with a capacity for 3500 people. Of course it wasn't filled, but it was a huge presentation. Last night's show at Gotham Hall (capacity: 800) was a much, much, smaller affair. Still, since Baby Phat is known for a blingy, over-the-top aesthetic, the organizers tried to keep the dream alive: The black-on-black invitation had a giant fake plastic gem on it, and the clothes did their very best to be optimistic; they were conservative, but some with glitter and glam thrown in.

Here are the notes I wrote last night:
7:49 pm
A waterfall of blonde hair, and then Ice T. Must be Coco. I'm in section F, which is farthest from where the models come out, and row 10, which is the last row. But at least I have a seat.
7:56 pm
Just spotted Bonnie Fuller and daughter.
7:57 pm
Whitney from America's Next Top Model is here. If she is "plus sized" then I am a pterodactyl.
8:01pm
Tinsley Mortimer in a hot blood red orange satin number and updo. She is like a blade of grass. The old skool R&B is making me sleepy. There is lots and lots of security. Eevryone has an earpiece with a spiral cord. Everyone.
8:05
I think that is Aubrey O'Day in a skin-tight leopard print dress but who knows.
8:11
R&B star Mario in front row. Show was supposed to start promptly at 8.
8:13
Danyel Smith, editor of Vibe, in front row. Oh! Flame-haired Patricia Field in the house!
8:15
It's freezing in here.
8: 23
Spotted Bethann Hardison wearing a hooded sweatshirt. Love her.
8:33
Jamaican model Stacey McKenzie in the front row.
8:41
The lights go out. The first look is lace and blue denim.
Here are the pix:

Compared to the befeathered, bedazzled, short-short ensembles Baby Phat produced in the past, this is positively nun-like.

Demure, refined. Gossip Girl-esque?

The bling on the pants and the shoes keep things from being too restrained.

This young lady was working the runway. She would walk up to the cameras and pose like she was doing someone a huge favor. Major attitude. The crowd loved it.

More lace, more ruffles. Positively lady-like.

Gossip Girl coat.

You wouldn't call any of this "original."

Are these plus-fours? Plus-fours are trying to come back, you know.

Gossip Girl coat.

Meh.

Why yes, this is a silver glitter knicker jumpsuit. That's the kind of thing you'd expect from KLS.

Work it, girl! That dress is pretty.

Something about this feels like "going through the motions."

Bored yet? Nothing was really a stand-out.

The mens' wear was fairly predictable.

Trenchcoats are not exactly groundbreaking. But they probably sell.

Coco and Ice T!

When, pray tell, is this ever appropriate?

A gray peacoat with jeans. Nothing to write home about.

Whitney Thompson, of America's Next Top Model. A wee bit more fabric would be nice.

Coco and Ice T, again.

Monica and Mario. Her hair is adorable.

Oh yes, pregnant Kimora and daughters came out at the end.

Djimon Hounsou was there, of course.

Here are the contents of my gift bag:
1 copy of Interview magazine with Lindsay Lohan on the cover
1 copy of Interview's Patrick McMullan supplement
1 eleven-ounce bottle of Fiji Water
1 bottle of nail polish by Creative Nail Designs, color: Scorch (hot pinky-purple)
1 black faux croc vinyl business card holder
1 pink vinyl business card holder
1 $200 laser hair removal gift certificate