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Momentum celebrates eight women who helped change the face of Israel

(JNS Wire) Momentum, a global movement that inspires Jewish women to connect with the State of Israel and with their Jewish values, has launched a year-long campaign highlighting the accomplishments and contributions of eight intrepid Jewish women to celebrate Israel’s milestone 75th anniversary.

The social-media posts on Instagram and Facebook are showcasing highly stylized illustrations of these pioneering figures, including judoka Yael Arad, the first Israeli to win an Olympic medal; noted Israeli scholar and commentator who rekindled broad interest in Bible study Nehama Leibowitz; Golda Meir, Israel’s first and only female head of government and the first woman to lead a government in the Middle East; Zionist leader and founder of Hadassah and the Women’s Zionist Organization of America Henrietta Szold; activist and prominent public figure in the movement to free Soviet Jewry Avital Sharansky, who fought for the release of her husband, Soviet refusenik Natan Sharansky; Rita, one of Israel’s most iconic singers; Alice Miller, who broke the glass ceiling for women serving in the Israel Defense Forces as pilots; and Dr. Miriam Adelson, an influential and visionary philanthropist who is one of the world’s best-known supporters of Jewish causes.

The campaign illustrates how these women have been integral in shaping Israel in the last 75 years. These women are not only examples of Israel’s inclusivity but are responsible for helping shape the entire country and its global impact.

Momentum will share the campaign across its social-media channels, as well as integrate it into their immersive in-person experiences like the Momentum Fellowship and the Momentum Yearlong Journey.

During the Momentum Yearlong Journey, which begins with an eight-day trip to Israel, participants are encouraged to walk in these figures’ footsteps, learn from their accomplishments and understand how they, too, can be agents of change. The organization will post about a new figure every month, with the launch taking place on Yom Ha’atzmaut, Israel’s Independence Day.

“Despite the many obstacles women have faced over the course of history, we’ve continued to be trailblazers in a myriad of disciplines,” said Lori Palatnik, founding director of Momentum. “With this campaign, we hope women will be able to recognize aspects of themselves. Each one of us has the ability to lead, guide and contribute. We sometimes just need a little inspiration. And what better way to get that, than through women who have lived their lives based on Jewish values. We believe that a world that empowers women is beneficial to all.”

Also taking place this month, Momentum will kick off its 2023 immersive trips to Israel with about 600 women from 12 countries, including France, Argentina and Spain. And coming in May is their first-of-its-kind exclusive French trip in partnership with the Jewish Agency for Israel.

The yearlong campaign builds on Momentum’s growing foray into the digital world. Last year, it launched Yomm, the first mobile app exclusively tailored for Jewish women in an effort to create the world’s largest social network.

Israel’s Ministry of Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism handpicked Momentum to establish Yomm, understanding that Momentum’s substantial reach and diverse network of more than 20,000 Jewish women from 35 countries make the organization the ideal partner for cultivating a global Jewish sisterhood. With its undisputed expertise in profound Jewish learning experiences, Momentum is uniquely situated to expand into the digital space.

Founded in 2009, Momentum’s four central goals are connecting to Jewish values, engaging with Israel, taking action and fostering unity without uniformity.

MAIN PHOTO: A social-media campaign highlighting the skills and careers of eight intrepid Jewish women is geared to celebrate Israel’s milestone 75th anniversary. Credit: Courtesy of Momentum.

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