Six words, written on a whiteboard. Headphones covering ears and mouth. A helicopter. Parents looking lovingly at their daughter. Even through the still image published in the media, you can almost hear the deafening roar of the helicopter’s blades. And inside, there she is — the new Jewish heroine.
A soldier, a survivor, observant but not a religious woman. "I chose the path of faith and through faith, I returned," read the sign Agam Berger held as she was freed from Hamas captivity. So simple. So unbelievable. Who is Agam Berger and how did we come to have such extraordinary daughters?
Jewish history hasn’t always celebrated brave women, but from time to time, a figure emerges who shines brilliantly — Ruth, who followed her mother-in-law; Yael, who took the initiative and killed Sisera; Deborah, who led a nation; Esther, who never sought power but used wisdom and cunning to save her people.
And now, a new kind of heroism — Hannah Szenes, TikTok edition. Jewish women, snatched from their homes or bleeding from military bases are writing a new chapter of bravery. Emily, who refused to leave captivity to protect an older man. Liri, who saved fellow hostages by standing fearlessly before evil.
Aviva, who saved her meager rations for her partner "so he'd be less hungry." And Agam — who found a Bible in Gaza, refused to take a Quran "as a gift" from her captors and kept Shabbat and kosher even in hell. She braided the hair of returning hostages, sending a silent message home. Her fate was bound to theirs and theirs to all of ours.
Five released IDF lookouts reuniting in Israeli hospital
(Video: IDF Spokesperson's Unit)
Jewish women’s heroism isn’t just about dramatic acts — it’s a quiet, daily resilience. The strength to hold onto humanity in impossible conditions, to cling to values and identity when everything else crumbles. These heroines walk among us. They don’t speak in grand words of faith and ideals. The Torah is in their hearts and they don’t stay hidden in study halls — they act.
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Women who keep daily life going and women who emerge from captivity. Women of kindness, women raising the next generation. Don’t worry about the future — they’ll grow into champions far greater than us. History knows how to honor itself.
As children, we learned about decrees of destruction and Jews who refused to bow to evil. These past weeks have shown us we don’t need to look far to understand history. Just look at them and you’ll see everything. Or as Liri Albag put it: she and her friends are truly "number one."
May we soon see all the hostages return home and may these women's heroism and faith join the legacy of Israel’s great heroines.
- Yifat Sela is the chairwoman of the national religious women’s organization Emunah.