Women in the Lead

As an American living in Israel for the past 33 years, I want to thank you for your August 19 editorial, “Israel’s Inspiration.” And as the director of the Israel office for the National Council of Jewish Women, I want to point out the inspirational leadership of Israel’s young women in this protest for social justice. It started with one young woman who simply could not pay her rent and called on others to join her as she pitched her tent on Rothschild Blvd in protest of rising rents.

One month later, with 300,000 protesters joining her, she is truly the heroine of this social movement. For decades, NCJW has supported and encouraged young Israeli women to stand up, make a difference, and take a stand.

We, too, will be watching and supporting the next generation of women, hoping that they will get involved by getting out the vote and by becoming candidates for political positions. As grassroots activists they now understand that in order to change social orders, you need to be within the political sphere where priorities are determined and budgets are allotted.

Kol Hakavod from women to women, we salute you.

Shari Eshet

Director of the Israel Office

National Council of Jewish Women

Jerusalem, Israel

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