Rabbi Sharon L. Cohen Rhetorical Analysis

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Rabbi Sharon L. Cohen has taken part in the movement of formulating a society in which men and women have the ability to hold and perform equal roles. From early in Cohen’s childhood, she has been an avid member of every Jewish congregation in which she has had the opportunity to be a member of. As well, her and her family participated in all Jewish worship opportunities that their synagogue offered, including Sunday school, observing the Sabbath regularly, and keeping kosher. From the great impression Cohen’s participation in the Jewish community had on her, she derived a great urge to pursue a role that not many women have, the role of a Rabbinical position. Throughout the interview, Rabbi Cohen uses appeals to her pathos and ethos as circumstantial …show more content…

It is stated in the interview, “--um, growing up in the synagogue, we grew up--and at that point, um, women did not have equal access to things.  Um, you know, women weren't allowed to get onto the Bimah, the platform where we, you know, lead the prayers and actually sing and lead.  It was only in certain contexts.  Um, women were not rabbis, that I experienced, certainly, um, at that point in the Conservative movement, where we were a part of things.” (Cohen 0:15:23). Through this dialog presented in the interview, it can be concluded that Cohen is a feminist due to the fact that she, despite growing up in a synagogue that did not believe this way, believed that she could not only play an important role in the Jewish community, but pursue a role not many women had, the role of a Rabbi. As well, this quote reflects on Rabbi Cohen’s use of pathos by influencing the audience’s emotions to make her character seem more empowering and motivating. Rabbi Cohen defied many odds and took her future into her own hands to become what she dreamt to …show more content…

In the majority of Jewish homes, it is common for the mother to be the “keeper of the household”, and the father to be the “head of the household”. However, Rabbi Cohen and her husband did not want to raise their children with these ideals. Instead, Rabbi Cohen and her husband decided to treat each other as equals. As stated in the interview, “Jeffrey thankfully got a, a stable job, which allowed me to kind of flip-flop.  I was kind of being the breadwinner for a little while he was picking; now I was doing the opposite.  And it allowed me to do that.  That was the key for us.” (Cohen 0:33:19). Through this account, it can be noted that Rabbi Cohen and her husband played very equal roles in their home, and allowed each other with support when hard times overcame. Rabbi Cohen’s feminist views can be derived from this by supporting a home in which men and women are seen as equals. This also reflects on Rabbi Cohen’s ethos throughout the interview by demonstrating her credibility by taking part in a lifestyle in which not only her, but her family is impressed with feminist views that men and women were made

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