Shabbat Shalom from President Lizzy Markus

As the mother of three #Jewish girls, I often worry what the future will bring. The current political landscape is seemingly less supportive of Jews and women’s rights. Social media offers a constant barrage of social pressures. I wonder how they will thrive. How will my girls grow into strong, innovative, and confident Jewish #women? To whom will they turn for inspiration? ?

They need not look further than this week’s parashah, Pinchas, for models of ingenuity. Pinchas tells the story of Machlah, Noa, Choglah, Milcah, and Tirtzah, the five daughters of Zelophechad. After their father dies with no male heirs, the girls challenge the current law that only allows males to inherit land. The daughters approach #Moses directly and request a change of the law to inherit their father’s land. Moses takes this request to #God who then agrees. These were women who possessed great vision, sought equality, employed innovation, displayed #leadership, and exhibited bravery. ?

Last week, my daughters left for their summer adventures. I’m guessing that a letter from home retelling the story of Zelophechad’s daughters, highlighting their struggle and ultimate success, may garner a few puzzled looks from my girls. But I’m hopeful that once they have some downtime they can appreciate the characteristics of these brave women. These women recognized an injustice, stood up for what they believed in, and didn’t back down. I imagine them as women marching on Washington or running Fortune 500 companies.?

Another takeaway from the story of Zelophechad’s daughters is that we are not alone. From our time in the desert to our community and faith today, we have made great strides to empower female leaders. It is, of course, because of courageous women like Zelophechad’s daughters, but also due to compassionate and moral leaders such as Moses who petitioned God. ?

As a wife, mother, progressive Jew, #Torah reader, recent tallit wearer, and synagogue president, I’m grateful for my own female role models and my personal support system (my parents, my husband, my children, my friends, my partners, my clergy) who have helped me to develop my own sense of strength, independence, and creativity.

Shabbat Shalom!?

– Lizzy Markus

President