Chochmat Nashim Honors Israeli Women at Annual Women of Iron Awards

In a heartfelt ceremony held in Jerusalem, 18 remarkable Israeli women were honored at Chochmat Nashim’s inaugural Women of Iron Awards, a tribute to female heroism inspired by the wartime spirit of Operation Swords of Iron. The event, hosted at the Nefesh B’Nefesh campus, celebrated women whose courage, leadership, and compassion have uplifted Israel and the Jewish people since October 7.

Chochmat Nashim Director Shoshanna Keats Jaskoll explained the decision to use the term “Women of Iron” rather than the traditional “Woman of Valor,” noting that while the latter remains beautiful, it has become diluted. This new title, she said, better captured the exceptional strength these women have shown in the face of national trauma and personal loss.

The honorees included a diverse range of women paramedics, researchers, mothers of fallen soldiers, war widows, survivors, and advocates who have represented Israel’s truth globally. From the battlefield to the courtroom, from social media to the morgue, their contributions have been profound and deeply personal.

Among them was Iris Haim, who lost her son Yotam in a tragic friendly fire incident and responded not with anger, but with grace and unity, becoming a national symbol of hope. Others included Emily Schrader, a journalist documenting Hamas’s use of sexual violence; Shari Mendes, who assisted in identifying female soldiers killed in battle; and Cochav Elkayam-Levy, a human rights lawyer investigating war crimes against women and children.

Each woman was introduced through a short video, followed by a personal appearance to receive her award. The event was co-hosted by Foreign Affairs Ministry Special Envoy Fleur Hassan-Nahoum and attended by over 300 guests, including public figures like United Hatzalah founder Eli Beer and UN Watch’s Hillel Neuer.

The inspiration for the ceremony stemmed from the legacy of Laura Ben-David, a Chochmat Nashim contributor who passed away in July. Ben-David had championed Jewish women’s visibility through the Jewish Life Photo Bank, a collection of stock images designed to counter the erasure of women in Orthodox media. Her daughter, Lexi Rotem, movingly spoke of her mother’s strength and vision.

Despite the pain many honorees carried, the evening had a celebratory atmosphere. Guests mingled, hugged, and took photos beside large portraits of the women of iron. Wine and hors d’oeuvres flowed freely, a fitting tribute to the resilience and vitality of the Israeli spirit.

Perhaps most powerful was the message of unity across sectors of society. The honorees represented different ages, backgrounds, and roles, a reminder that heroism in Israel is not reserved for the battlefield alone. As Keats Jaskoll emphasized, “You don’t have to run into a war zone to be a hero. Comforting others can be heroic, too.”

The ceremony wasn’t just an evening of recognition it was a call to action. Keats Jaskoll expressed a vision of bringing the Women of Iron exhibition to Jewish communities abroad, offering young Jews inspiration, pride, and hope in a time of rising antisemitism. “What does a heroine look like? She looks like this,” she said, gesturing to the stage.

Through this powerful initiative, Chochmat Nashim continues to raise the voices of Israeli women voices that embody strength, sacrifice, and an unwavering love for Am Yisrael.

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