SPOTLIGHT: WOMAN OF THE WALL
Age: 46
Citizenship: Israel
Occupation: Director of Education and Public Policy, Women of the Wall
1) Why did you come pray with WOW for Rosh Chodesh Adar I?
I came to pray with Women of the Wall in order to strengthen the community, and support my friend’s struggle. All of the women are amazing, heroic, and persistent, taking on this tradition for so many years and for such a big and important purpose. I came to breathe the sisterhood and the power of women—in honor of HaShem. Above all, I came to pray to God, who will hear our songs and praise and will bless us with a new month that will be good and will see salvation.
2) What’s one positive experience you had at Rosh Chodesh Adar I?
Rosh Chodesh Adar I is always a little lacking because it’s “additional”. Therefore, it doesn’t have a place of it’s own. This time, we decided to sing and dance especially for Adar I! This was wonderful. Besides that, we had two b’not mitzvah—this was exciting!
3) What’s one negative experience you had at Rosh Chodesh Adar I?
I didn’t have a negative experience. This time was the opposite of the past: there weren’t police, there weren’t women being annoying, there weren’t men cursing. It was quiet and pleasant. Outside of one thing that was missing—there was not a Torah and so our prayers were not complete.
4) What’s your wish for the future of the Kotel?
That we will be able to pray according to the halacha of our tradition—with a Torah scroll, in the women’s section! And that our prayers will bring together all women in Israel, from all parts of society. That Rosh Chodesh will return to being a women’s holiday. And we will have love and unity in the world.