The presence of Israeli women on the frontline, in Israel advocacy, in education, and in civil society has come to the spotlight in recent months. To recognize this, Israel Hayom held a special evening on the occasion of International Women's Day that was dedicated to trailblazing women who have fought for others, who have stuck to their guns, who have contributed, and who have made a real difference in Israel this year. The event, held Wednesday night, is called "Their Stage."
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The keynote speakers were First Lady Michal Herzog, and the publisher of Israel Hayom, Dr. Miriam Adelson.
Israel Hayom Opinions Editor Moriah Kor opened the ceremony with these words: "Women view the world like a social network, while men view it like a pyramid. When women introduce themselves they say what their social status is, while men say what their role is. This is one of the reasons why the date of International Women's Day is engraved on the universal calendar. Women need a certain time when they are reminded that they have achievements. Achievements that are not only related to their social network and natural roles. Achievements that they are capable of reaching without anyone's help. Tonight, the Israel Today group will give its interpretation of this special day and the war we are waging, maneuvering between impossible fronts."
First Lady Michal Herzog, introduced as a lawyer and mediator, speaks four languages including Portuguese, and is the busiest volunteer at the President's Residence, spoke at the ceremony. "When we are in the midst of a difficult war, during the tumultuous days of fighting upon us from the very beginning, we are exposed to wonderful stories up close, not just as characters from history books," she said.
"It is hard not to notice one fact, astounding in its power: on every burning front that we have been conducting since Simchat Torah (Oct. 7) we find courageous women fighters, standing in full force, as the heroes of the hour: in reserve duty classrooms, in tanks, in ground forces, in observations along the border, in the police, in the IDF, in the security services, in local authorities, in spontaneous civil society organizations, in the business world, in education, welfare and health teams, in the rear and at the front, as reserve soldiers and as wives of reservists with the whole weight of the household on their shoulders."
"In spontaneous acts of heroism by lioness mothers who protected their young children with their bodies, in the self-sacrifice of emergency medical and rescue women under fire, in public diplomacy, in an uncompromising war for the return of their abducted loved ones, in powerful, upright and pride-filled eulogies full of love by mothers and women who have just lost their most beloved.
"This evening is necessary and moving, as well as warranted. The scars of October run deep and within them is a special pain reserved for the scars left by the sexual crimes committed by Hamas against women and girls, crimes that to great horror continue these days against the abducted in Gaza. In their wake came the disappointment and awakening from the silence of the enlightened world and the turning of the back and averted gaze of women's organizations around the world. Israeli women fight tirelessly and bring to the forefront the voices of those who can no longer scream.
"For the first time, after five months, a UN report unequivocally acknowledges the terrible and systematic violence used by Hamas terrorists on that black day. We must continue to struggle to bring justice to the victims of that inconceivable violence. Personally, I want to share with you a source of hope and strength that accompanies me: female solidarity in Israel.
"In 1986 Naomi Shemer wrote a moving song for the Prisoner of Zion Ida Nudel. The lyrics seem to have been written for each and every one of us: 'How are you sister? It is gratifying to see how even in such difficult hours, women rise and stand at the front, as well as the home front. We extend a hand and know we will meet a sister's hand and know that together, with this courage, we will prevail.'"
"Against this backdrop, we need this feminine courage also around the tables of influence and decision-making at every level," said the President's wife Herzog. "We have learned the hard way what a force multiplier it is to open the ranks, to give an equal and influential place also to our sisters, women, our mothers – the unflinching female fighters. Just look at the elected women to understand the power of women to make decisions, lead, and initiate."
At the conference, executive director of the Israel Collaboration Network (ICON) Yasmin Lukatz interviewed her mother, Dr. Miriam Adelson in a one-on-one panel. Lukatz asked questions about the influential women in Dr. Adelson's life, about breaking barriers, and the desire to continue pushing women to break through in many fields.
Q: Many times when they interview me, they ask who is a role model for me. Who is a role model for you?
"My mother, who just finished high school in Poland, came from a Hasidic family, decided to travel to Israel despite their rabbi telling them 'God is everywhere – no need to leave'. My mother finished high school, took herself, and went to Israel."
"My mother came to Israel alone and it turned out that her entire family was eventually murdered in Europe: Her parents, sister and brother, and cousins, everyone was murdered and she was left alone in the world with all the pain. Nevertheless, my mother held herself together and built a strong family.
"I learned a lot from my mother. I admired her that with all the pain of losing her family and at the age of 18 coming to a foreign country, not knowing the language or anything, and knowing how to stand on her feet. She was a figure with a good heart, strong, brave, standing by her opinions.
"From afar I admired Eleanor Roosevelt (the former First Lady of the US). Because there were no female journalists then, Eleanor Roosevelt held a press conference and said 'Only female journalists come' and that's how she brought women into journalism. She fought a lot for women's rights so she is the second figure I admire, as well as my first-grade teacher."
Q: There are female tank operators and female entrepreneurs I work with. But when I look up the air is thin, there are significant figures but not enough strong female figures in key positions. What do you think prevents this and what can be done to change the situation?
"I think we learned a lot during the war period, how much women can do everything, be tank drivers, by the way, a female officer was appointed commander of an air force base, it's just amazing. We can do everything, first of all, we have to want to and we need the support of the other women who need to encourage us and push us.
"I hope there will be great awareness of this and when they see a woman who wants to go into public office they need to help her and push her and not put obstacles in her way. I believe that in the next Knesset and there will be many more women, as well as in many other positions."
Q: You meet important people in Israel and the world, and you are involved in many organizations and activities in many fields, what encourages you?
"I am naturally optimistic by nature. I always say God will help and in the end, it will be okay. The state of war will affect us a lot, I hope there won't be a war in the north, it will affect our optimism and whether we will be less happy.
"In terms of women, we still have a lot of work to do, we have the women in Iran and there is a lot of discrimination against women, especially in Muslim countries. We still have a long way to go until they are free."
The highlight of the event was a ceremony in which Israel Hayom awarded commendations to prominent women in honor of their impact in key fields: defense and security, community involvement and contribution, health, Israel advocacy and international activity, education, economy, and innovation. The awardees were selected by a special committee, headed by Editor-in-Chief Omer Lachmanovitch, senior staff members of Israel Hayom, and various other partners.
"The State of Israel in 2024 tells a different story - it cannot be written without the female voice, and you cannot look forward without listening to it seriously. We have proven in every arena that where there is a woman - there is revival, contribution, and life."
The Military and Security award was presented by Maayan B., Robotics Project Manager at the Aerospace Industries Plant; the Community Involvement and Contribution award was presented by Yifat Ovadya-Lowski, Chairwoman of KKL-JNF; and the Public Diplomacy and International Activity award was presented by Marina Rozenberg-Koritny, Head of the Aliyah Promotion Department at the World Zionist Organization.
The commendations were awarded by prominent and senior women in the Israeli economy and society. The award for economy and innovation was awarded by Ms. Yafit Atias, who is vice president of marketing at the Rami Levy Hashikma Marketing supermarket chain. "In these days, when we need hope, I look at the situation room desk on the front line and at the Shabbat table on the home front, and see a woman standing next to both," she told Israel Hayom, "The State of Israel in 2024 tells a different story. You can't write it without the female voice, and you can't look ahead without listening to it seriously. We have proved in every arena that where there is a woman, there is revival, contribution, and life."
Video: Dr. Miriam Adelson and Yasmin Lukatz in a one-on-one interview / Credit: Moshe Ben Simchon, Shmuel Buchris
The award for contribution to defense and security were awarded by Ms. Maayan, robotic project manager at Israel Aerospace Industries. The Israel advocacy and international activity award was awarded by Ms. Marina Rozenberg Koritny, head of the Aliyah Promotion Department at the World Zionist Organization. The award for social activism and contribution to the community was awarded by KKL-JNF Chairwoman Ms. Ifat Ovadia-Luski.
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