Women of Valor
By: Edith Rubin Unsung Heroes Throughout history, we have celebrated women for their outstanding heroic deeds. Yehudis, during the Hasmonean Revolution, beheaded the Greek general while he was under the influence of wine and besotted by her beauty, thus altering the course of the war. Lesser-known women like Gracia Mendes, a Marrano, risked her life during the Spanish Inquisition, and saved thousands of Jews. Hannah Senesh fearlessly parachuted into Hungary, in 1944, to save Jews. She was caught, imprisoned, and ultimately executed. Some others come to mind, who exemplified bravery, steadfastness and inner strength, traits not commonly associated with women. I am not referring only to Golda Meyer or Indira Ghandi, or even Tzipi Livni, who were able to make an impact on world events in our time. Our Matriarchs, Sarah, Rivkah, Rachel, and Leah, stayed in their respective tents, out of the public eye. Through their familiar advice and counsel, reached the heights of their potential. At ti...