Orit Avishai

Orit Avishai is an Adjunct Professor of Sociology at Fordham University, affiliated with its Center for Jewish Studies. She holds degrees from Tel Aviv University Law School (L.L.B., 1994), Yale Law School (L.L.M., 1996), and the University of California, Berkeley (M.A./Ph.D., 2007). Her research explores American religion and politics, gender, sexuality, and Jewish Studies, with a focus on queer activism within Orthodox Jewish communities. Her 2023 book *Queer Judaism* examines how Orthodox LGBTQ+ individuals navigate faith and identity in Israel. Current projects include studying religious freedom disputes in U.S. culture wars and co-leading the Haredi Research Group. She teaches courses on gender, sexuality, and religion, emphasizing ethnographic and sociological methodologies.

Her scholarly work bridges law, sociology, and religion, addressing topics such as feminist knowledge production, marriage education movements, and religious legal frameworks. Key articles analyze Orthodox Jewish LGBTQ+ activism, gender dynamics in religious institutions, and the intersection of law and culture. Her op-eds address contemporary issues like breastfeeding norms and gendered body politics, reflecting her interdisciplinary approach to social issues.

Avishai’s research emphasizes how ideology shapes institutions and identities, from legal systems to cultural practices. She collaborates internationally, contributing to public-facing scholarship that translates academic findings into accessible discourse. Her Haredi Research Group disseminates studies on Jewish Orthodoxy through reports and a dedicated website, amplifying underrepresented voices in religious and cultural studies.