Yesterday, four remarkable women took me to lunch to wish me well on my new professional journey.
These are some of my congregants who have been studying with me, worshipping with me and engaging with me on many different levels over the past two years. They are not only my congregants, but they have become my friends as well. And I have learned as much from them as they say they have learned from me. They are a very accomplished group of women:
- one has her Masters Degree in Political Science/American Government. Following a highly successful career in both the business and academic world, she ran for public office and had 16 distinguished years in local government.
- two of them have Phd’s in different subjects and served as professors in local universities.
- one was a teacher and very instrumental on the board of the local Hillel.
The women presented me with a gift: a lovely book on Women Throughout the Ages.
One common thread wove through our conversation: they felt it was special and unique to have a woman lead them as their spiritual leader. For this group of women – who were all at the top of their own areas of expertise – they felt that women bring a unique perspective to the rabbinate.
As a woman who was born in 1960, I always find this interesting. I don’t often think about my gender in my approach to the sacred work that I am doing. But my gender is an integral part of who I am. It informs the decisions I make and how I view the world, consciously or subconsciously.
From a Jewish perspective, since our ancient texts were written by men, we lack enough stories about women who were both strong and compassionate who can serve as role models for our community. But there are a few that I love.
One example is the Prophetess/Judge Deborah. In Judges, Chapter 4, we read about Deborah who was leading the Israelites at that time. She used to sit under a palm tree and people would come from far and wide to seek her wise counsel. As the Israelites were about to go to war against the Canaanites, she summoned her general, Barak to give him his “marching orders.” He refused to go unless she would come with him. Deborah said that she would accompany him, but that if she did so, God would only deliver the enemy’s head (Sisera) to the hands of a woman. Barak doesn’t care – he is afraid to go without Deborah by his side.
Deborah is compassionate and strong. She is not afraid to do the difficult task in order to bring about the greater good for her people.
Our world has changed dramatically since Deborah’s time. We do know many more strong women and many more compassionate men. But we still have a long way to go.
Artist-Poet Judy Chicago states it best, in her famous poem “The Merger” from her exhibition “The Dinner Party:”
And then all that has divided us will merge.
And then compassion will be wedded to power
And then softness will come to a world that is harsh and unkind.
And then both men and women will be gentle.
And then both women and men will be strong.
And then no person will be subject to another’s will.
And then all will be rich and free and varied.
And then the greed of some will give way to the needs of many.
And then all will share equally in the earth’s abundance.
And then all will care for the sick and the weak and the old.
And then all will nourish the young.
And then all will cherish life’s creatures.
And then all will live in harmony with each other and the earth.
And then everywhere will be called Eden once again.
– Judy Chicago