Strong and inspiring women – that’s what I’ve been thinking about this whole week! I am in complete awe of the strength and bravery of the 3 female Israeli hostages – Romi, Emily and Doron – who were released on Sunday, and as I watched and countlessly replayed the videos of their first embrace with their mothers (and reuniting with other family members), I’ve been overwhelmed with emotions and totally inspired by the perseverance, resilience and hope that these mothers (and family members) have demonstrated through the 471 harrowing days while their daughters were held in captivity.
This week at CBI, we’ve been in full swing preparing for Sisterhood Shabbat this weekend! Our community is truly blessed with so many strong and inspiring women, and while CBI’s women are involved in so many different aspects of the vitality of our congregation, it is on Sisterhood Shabbat every year when we highlight and celebrate the many different and impactful ways that the women of CBI contribute to the health and mission of our community through their many varied talents and skills, and their generosity, passion, dedication and vision. I have tremendous admiration for ALL of the women volunteers who have been working hard and will be participating to make this year’s Sisterhood Shabbat another hallmark program of CBI. Whether it is in a leadership capacity, learning new synagogue skills, helping in the kitchen or other “behind the scenes” ways, making the commitment to rehearse for the Voices of Sisterhood, or taking on a role in the service to show support and solidarity, everyone’s involvement is essential and valued.
It so happens that in this week’s Torah portion, Va’era, we find four “quiet” women – two who are given names (Yocheved and Elisheva) and two who are unnamed (the Canaanite woman and Putiel’s daughter) – their presence is subtle and their significance is muted. Yet we know that everything in the Torah is there for a reason. Each of these characters, though not warriors or rulers or chosen messengers of God, have their own way of contributing to the narrative. So in whatever way you, the women of CBI, are contributing to our community (even if you were not able to be involved in this year’s Sisterhood Shabbat!) I know I speak for the entire staff when I say how grateful we are for your involvement and how inspired we are by your commitment to our community!
Next week is the Yahrtzeit of Debbie Friedman z”l, also a strong and inspiring woman, who was an American Jewish singer – song-writer and song leader, and who was a feminist and early pioneer of using gender-sensitive language in Jewish worship. I hope you will be uplifted and moved by her composition, “Tefillat Haderech” which I offer in tribute to Debbie’s memory, but also to Romi, Emily and Doron, and to ALL of the hostages and their families, and to each of YOU as you go forward on your life’s journey. May you be blessed with health and joy, safety, strength and peace. May this be your blessing… Amen!
