This year’s National Women’s History Month Celebrates Women of Character, Courage and Commitment. These women demonstrated these qualities “as mothers, educators, institution builders, business, labor, political and community leaders, relief workers, women religious, and CEOs. Their lives and their work inspire girls and women to achieve their full potential and encourage boys and men to respect the diversity and depth of women’s experience.”
“Celebrating Women of Character, Courage and Commitment,” National Women’s History Project. March 2014.
The Hebrew months of Adar and Nisan offer wonderful opportunities to teach about extraordinary biblical heroines, as well as some contemporary “women of valor.”
Queen Esther by Edwin Long
Visit the Jewish Women’s Archive for their This Week in History column and their Women of Valor exhibits. Purim begins on Saturday night, March 15. For a rethinking of the women of Purim see Transforming Purim (at Ritualwell). For more information about the Jews of Iran/Persia, visit our page on Sephardi and Mizrachi Communities.
Rosh Chodesh Nisan takes place on Tuesday, April 1. For a variety of reasons Rosh Chodesh is traditionally known as a women’s holiday. Women often gather together for services and special programs to celebrate the new month together. Ritualwell offers an outline of a special service for Rosh Chodesh Nisan.