The entrance to the Temple Mount is adjacent to the Western Wall. On the way up there is a great view of the Western Wall plaza where Jews gather to offer prayers.  The top two-thirds you’ll see men gathering. Women are in the bottom section of the picture. There is a strict separation of genders.

Earlier this summer there was a movement to allow both genders to pray at the wall together. However, the political and  cultural climate is preventing that change from happening.  

Further down the wall, out of sight of the main plaza is a place where men, women and families can and do pray together, representing the hope that traditions can change. 

It is always hard, in any tradition, to know how long to hold on to what has been and when to make room for new practices.