Resources for Parashat Vayishlach / The Story of Dinah

Resources for Courageous Conversation Around The Story of Dinah

Every year, when we return to Parashat Vayishlach (Genesis 32:4–36:43), we once again encounter the painful and too-often-silenced story of Dinah. Our most sacred texts ask us to grapple with what it means — for us as women, as leaders, and as a Jewish community — to live in a world where women's voices continue to be dismissed, minimized, or silenced. This story calls us into honest reflection about the culture we have inherited and the culture we are still shaping. And this year, the parasha coincides with the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, further reminding us that this work is both ancient and urgent.

At SRE Network, we believe deeply in the power of returning voice, agency, and humanity to those who have been silenced. We believe victim-survivors of sexual violence. Lifting up the Torah shared about Dinah over the years is one way we honor and center survivor voices,  reckon with the times our own community has fallen short, and recommit to building environments where dignity, safety, and equity are non-negotiables.

Confronting this story is heavy, and profoundly necessary. As we approach the 23rd of Kislev 5786 (December 6, 2025), we invite our community to pause and engage with these teachings, while also being kind to yourself.

Below is a curated selection of teachings from across the Jewish community to inspire courageous conversations this Shabbat. We also invite you to explore the many gender equity resources we shared on Giving Tuesday, tools designed to strengthen your organization's gender equity work.

Thank you to our incredible partners who created these resources, and whose work champions women every day.

Sincerely,

Rachel and Guila

Rachel Gildiner (she/her)
Executive Director
SRE Network

Dr. Guila Benchimol (she/her)
Senior Advisor, Research & Learning
SRE Network

TW: The following resources include discussions of rape and sexual violence. Please engage in ways that honor your well-being and care.

Study Guides, Commentaries, and D'var Torah Reflections

A Blessing for Dina

  • Rabbanit Aliza Sperling, SVIVAH (Times of Israel, 2022): A powerful reflection and ritual offering that centers Dinah and honors survivors.

Breaking Dinah’s Silence

  • JWI (2016): Sexual assault survivor and activist Maya Weinstein’s speech at JWI's Women to Watch gala.

Dinah and Women's Lost Voice

  • Mijael Even David, Times of Israel (2025): A blog post exploring how every man in this tragic story responds with his own agenda. No one asks the woman whose body became a battlefield how she feels or what she needs.

Dinah: Bible

  • Rachel Adelman, JWA (2021): An overview of Dinah’s biblical story, its complexities, and its interpretive debates.

Dinah’s Legacy

  • Rabbi Stacy Rigler, ARJE (2022): A teaching connecting Parashat Vayishlach, the #MeToo era, and the responsibility to build safer communities.

Dina Week 2025

  • Gluya (2025): An opportunity to learn, talk, gather, and inquire into Dina's rape in order to give voice to her story, express solidarity, and spark healing.

Hearing Survivors’ Voices when Reading About Dinah

  • Dr. Alissa Ackerman and Dr. Guila Benchimol, The Times of Israel (2025): A reflection piece and analysis of their recent report on sexual ham in Jewish spaces.

HerTorah: Did You Hear What Happened to Dina? Responses to Abuse in the Torah + Today

  • SVIVAH (2022): A gathering focused on women’s voices, interpretation, and communal healing.

Parashat Vayishlach Study Guide

  • Rabbi Stephanie Bernstein, WRJ & The Torah: A Women’s Commentary (2021): A guided exploration of this Torah portion's themes around struggle, identity, and gender justice.

Reading Dinah’s Story After October 7

  • Rabbi Dr. Wendy Zierler, HUC-JIR (2024): A D’var Torah weaving biblical Dinah with modern Hebrew poetry to confront sexual violence and collective silence.

Reflections on Parashat Vayishlach – WRJ

Remembering Dinah: Listen to Women

  • Rabbi Ayelet Cohen, JTS (2023): A powerful commentary linking Dinah’s silenced story to the urgent call to hear and honor women’s voices today.

The Dinah Project

  • (2023): An initiative advancing global recognition and justice for the victims of October 7 sexual violence and conflict-related atrocities.

Violence Against Women in the Hebrew Bible

  • Tamar Kamionkowski, JWA (2021): A feminist analysis of how the Hebrew Bible often portrays violence against women.

Thank you for all you do to advance gender equity and build workplaces grounded in belonging. We are so grateful to be in partnership with you.

For more resources to support your organization's gender equity journey, click here.

SRE Safety Respect Equity logo

SRE Network mobilizes Jewish organizations to advance gender equity and cultivate inclusive workplaces and communal spaces where all individuals can thrive and drive change. We envision a Jewish communal landscape where safety, respect, and equity are lived realities, every individual belongs, and organizations thrive.

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