Aliza Lavie, celebrated for her influential book Tefilat Nashim (Women’s Prayer), returns with another significant work- Iconic Jewish Women.
This inspiring collection features 59 stories about remarkable Jewish women from both the past and present, leaders and revolutionaries whose achievements have left an indelible mark on the Jewish world. Readers will encounter the lives of trailblazers like Golda Meir, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and Sarah Aharonson, alongside legendary figures such as Queen Esther.
On the book’s back cover, it is noted that this work is aimed at girls preparing for their Bat Mitzvah ceremonies. While the Bar Mitzvah ceremony for boys follows well-defined traditions, such as Torah reading and donning Tefillin, the Bat Mitzvah lacks tradition guidelines, leaving many families unsure of how to celebrate this milestone.
Iconic Jewish Women addresses this challenge by offering a wealth of ideas for ceremonies, tours, and activities. Girls are encouraged to choose a meaningful female figure from Jewish history and build a personalized celebration around her legacy.
In the book, Lavie invites Bat Mitzvah girls to embrace creativity and chart their unique paths to commemorate this important occasion. She writes, “Take a role model from Jewish history, every girl can find someone to look up to. It could even be your grandmother. Understand that you’re allowed to dream and turn those dreams into reality.”
This book will help girls to set off on powerful journey to become part of the Jewish women world and history. Perhaps a girl might retrace Miriam journey to find her legendary well. Or, after reading about Golda Meir’s life, she could design a personal ceremony highlighting the former prime minister’s trailblazing achievements. Others might follow in the footsteps of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, or Rita Levi-Montalcini' or poet Naomi Shemer on her Bat Mitzvah day or plan a spy-themed activity inspired by Yehudit Nessiho, the Mossad agent who helped capture Nazi war criminal Adolf Eichmann.
While the book is marketed primarily to Bat Mitzvah girls, its appeal extends beyond its intended audience. As I explored its pages, one question stood out: Why is this book targeted solely at girls? In my opinion, it holds valuable insights for women and men of all ages.
Lavie herself addresses the book’s broader significance, saying:
“Since the publication of my earlier books—Women’s Prayer, Women’s Customs, and Hours of Solitude—I’ve often been approached by women seeking guidance on marking significant life events. Teenagers, teachers, mothers, and grandmothers alike have asked me how to celebrate a Bat Mitzvah in a meaningful way. That curiosity inspired me to spend two years researching this topic, culminating in this book.”
The women featured in the book were chosen from an extensive list that Lavie carefully curated. “I selected them not just for their deeds but for how their stories touched my heart,” she explains. “I hope they resonate with you, too, and inspire you to return to ancient traditions, create new ones, or adapt customs from diverse Jewish communities. Whether you craft a celebration around a female figure or focus on qualities that resonate with your life".
The title Iconic Jewish Women was published by Gefen Publishing. The Hebrew version of this book called "Now it's your turn!”, featuring 71 stories. Published by Kinneret-Zmora.
Dr. Aliza Lavie is a public figure, lecturer, and accomplished author. A former member of the Knesset and chair of the Committee for the Status of Women and Gender Equality, she also served as a senior lecturer at Bar-Ilan University. A leading voice in Jewish cultural discourse, Lavie’s work focuses on reclaiming and revitalizing Jewish women’s heritage. Her book Women’s Prayer continues to make waves globally and has been honored with the prestigious National Jewish Book Award.