Discover the inspiring stories of 59 trailblazing Jewish women who changed the world. From leaders and scholars to revolutionaries and role models, Iconic Jewish Women is an easy-to-read book that introduces young readers to Jewish women in history who made a lasting impact. Throughout history, Jewish women have been changemakers, pioneers, and leaders, shaping the world through determination, courage, and vision. Meet Golda Meir, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Rita Levi-Montalcini, Queen Esther, Sarah Aaronsohn , and many more who paved the way for future generations. With engaging storytelling and historical insight, author Aliza Lavie brings these heroines to life, inspiring young Jewish girls to embrace their heritage, connect with their roots, and create their own legacies. ✔ A meaningful Bat Mitzvah gift ✔ Perfect for Jewish girls ages 9-14 (but inspiring for all ages!) ✔ Ideal for Jewish parents & educators ✔ An empowering Jewish book for families Includes interactive sections— "Add Your Voice", "Give Back", "See Something New", and "Get Out of Your Comfort Zone" —encouraging readers not just to learn about these heroines, but to take action and make a meaningful impact. ✨ Join the journey of Jewish women through time ✨ "Lavie’s book is an excellent reference for all patrons. It is a treasure trove of wisdom, creativity, and inspiration. Recommended for public, school, and synagogue libraries. ." Ilka Gordon Library Journal "Even people uninvolved with Bat Mitzvahs will learn much about how many Jewish women achieved much and gave much to society, with their dates and a brief statement of their accomplishments. " Israel Drazin, Author "Naturally, not everyone will agree with every choice. Those who welcome the inclusion of politicians like Geula Cohen on the right are not going to be happy about Shulamit Aloni on the left, and vice versa. Some choices are obvious, such as Golda Meir and Anne Frank and some are fairly unknown, such as Glikl of Hamelin , who ran a household of 14 children, a business and kept a diary in the 1700s. " Carol Novis " Jewish Journal: What inspired you to write this book? Aliza Lavie: In my lectures when I was on my book tour for my previous book, “A Jewish Women’s Prayer Book,” I was asked by many women to give suggestions about celebrating their bat mitzvah. These were women who … part of were already grandmothers close to their 80s. “We don’t want to leave this world without having a bat mitzvah,” they told me. This need for a book that would help women like this kept coming back to me. The thought only got stronger and I understand that: One: A bat mitzvah is an event that can happen at any age if you haven’t celebrated it yet. Two: I should write a book for bat mitzvah girls and whoever is accompanying her during this time (parents, grandparents, educators, rabbis, cantors). The idea of the book and its unique structure is to enable each and every one to find their voice; to become familiar with women within a Jewish female sphere whose life stories may help the reader to express their own story in their own way, both in general and during the bat mitzvah year in particular. We have history as Jewish women, and we need the book not as a history lesson, but as answers and a guide for the rest of the way. JJ: What is your favorite story in the book and why? AL: If I had to choose one, I would choose Queen Esther: A woman who took personal and public responsibility and brought change. Esther fought from a doubly-vulnerable position: as a woman and as a Jew, and demanded to tell her story. “Set me down for generations.” Esther saw that more women were going to be in her situation, and asked to position herself as a model “for saving souls in Israel.” In fact, from the testimonies and prayers of women conversas from Spain and Portugal, the character of Queen Esther served as a role model. They adopted the narrative of her rescue, and hoped that this would also be their fate: “Esther did not reveal her people or her birthplace, for Mordecai had told her not to reveal it.” (Esther 2:10) The character of Queen Esther, who lived 2000 years before the disaster that befell them [the conversos], is identified with the need to hide her Jewishness. The foreigner, the other, who hid her origin, and yet remained faithful to her faith, an issue that has taken on a very relevant significance in the past year. JJ: What do you hope people get from reading “Iconic Jewish Women”? AL: A sense of belonging, a connection, and to continue telling the story. Every single one of us, with the powers we are blessed with and the abilities we have, can take another step in telling our story — of personalities who have almost been lost to history and of a community of figures whose sense of responsibility and contributions are what makes them who they are; and it is they who contribute significantly to the Jewish people and to the world-a