It feels fitting that today, International Women’s Day, comes on the heels of Purim, a holiday that celebrates Queen Esther’s heroism in risking her life to save her people.

Jewish history is full of extraordinary women making change: rabble rousers, activists, artists, educators, political leaders, and more. You can learn more about the thousands of Jewish women whose legacies we aspire to carry on today through our friends at the Jewish Women’s Archive.

There are times when we are each called on to be Esther, to be brave and speak up against injustice even when it is hard. The theme of International Women’s Day this year is #EmbraceEquity. What would it be like if we, each of us in the Jewish community, channeled Esther and demanded a world of full equality and equity for all women?

I often think of Queen Esther and how terrified she must have been before she spoke her truth as a Jew and pushed for her people to be saved. Her story reminds me of moments in my own life when it felt scary or overwhelming to put myself out there. But Esther’s story reminds me, “Perhaps it is for such a time as this” (Book of Esther 4:13-14) that I am meant to act , and then, most of the time, I take a step forward.

Wishing you an International Women’s Day and Purim week of courageous visibility, voice, and radical reversals.

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