How to Address a Jewish Woman
Women of the Jewish faith play an important role in their religion, as well as within the realm of their families. Historically, Jewish women were discouraged from pursuing higher education and religious study in order to tend to their household duties, such as raising children and caring for their husbands. However, as the Jewish religion progresses, many Jewish women and men move away from such traditions, and women have more and more opportunities in the world. When you interact with a woman of the Jewish faith you should treat and address her the way you would any other type of woman.
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Instructions
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Address a Jewish woman by her first name, if you know her. If the Jewish woman's name is Dina Yakov, you can call her Dina if you have a friendly rapport with her. You should also base the decision to call a Jewish woman by her first name if she does not appear to be Orthodox or Chasidic, which are high sectors of the Jewish religion. Orthodox or Chasidic women stick the most to traditional customs and formalities.
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Address a Jewish woman by her last name if you do not know her well. It is good etiquette to also call a woman by her last name if she is the rabbi's wife. For instance, if you meet Dina Yakov for the first time, you may call her Mrs. Yakov. If she wishes for you to call her Dina instead, she will let you know to do so.
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Ask a Jewish woman how she would like to be addressed if you are unsure of her marital status. For instance, if a Jewish woman is divorced and going by her maiden name, you would not want to assume she is married and say Mrs. Instead, you would address her by saying Ms. Krantz.
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Tips & Warnings
You might be able to tell if a Jewish woman is married based on whether she is covering her head with a wig. In the Jewish tradition, once women get married they cut their hair short and wear a wig to symbolize that only their husbands are privileged enough to see their real hair. However, only Orthodox or Chasidic women stick to such traditions.
References
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