Sarah Greenberg

Sarah Greenberg (she/her) is the former assistant legislative director at the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, where she was also an Eisendrath Legislative Assistant in 2013-2014. Sarah graduated in 2013 from Cornell University and is originally from New York City.

On Purim, Thinking of Vashti and Esther

Sarah Greenberg
 March 13, 2014

In just a couple of days (Saturday, March 15 – Sunday March 16/14-15 Adar) we will be celebrating Purim, a holiday full of good food, costumes, and fun. In broad strokes, Purim is so festive because we remember the bravery and cunning of Mordechai and Esther in saving their people from Haman’s hangman.

However, Purim also invites us to take a look at two important female characters in the story: Vashti and Esther. Vashti, King Ahashverous’s wife at the beginning of the Purim story, refuses to go “before the king with the crown royal, to show the peoples and the princes her beauty; for she was fair to look on” (Megillat Esther 1:11). The motivation behind Vashti’s action are not recorded, however, it is interesting to consider why she would refuse. Perhaps she did not want to be admired merely for her beauty, she did not want her worth to be matched to her appearance. However, her refusal was her downfall: King Ahashverous banished Vashti from his sight and began the search for a new wife.

Leading by Example: Immigration Reform

Sarah Greenberg
 March 12, 2014

God upholds the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and befriends the stranger, providing him with food and clothing. You too must befriend the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt. (Deuteronomy 10:18-19)

This citation from Deuteronomy anchors Women of Reform Judaism’s profound commitment to immigration reform in Jewish tradition. In fact, the commandment to welcome the stranger is in the Torah 36 times, more so than any other. If you’re interested in gematria (significance of numbers in Judaism), you’ll recognize that 36 is double 18, double יח. יח (chai) signifies the number 18, but is also the Hebrew word for life. This repetition illustrates the Jewish commitment to this topic; how much welcoming the stranger is in the lifeblood of what it means to be Jewish.

Women of Valor: Miriam

Sarah Greenberg
 March 11, 2014

This profile is part of a blog series on inspiring Jewish women from Women of Reform Judaism during March in celebration of Women’s History Month From the very first time we encounter Miriam (Exodus 2:4), her bravery and her caring stand out. In order to save her son’s life, Yocheved sends her newborn Moses down the Nile in a basket to protect him from certain death. Miriam–likely no older than a child herself–follows her brother, looking out for him and ultimately ensuring a form of family unity. Miriam approaches Pharoah’s daughter, who finds Moses, and Miriam convinces her to let Yocheved be his nurse. Miriam’s quick wit and courage kept her family intact as best as she could possibly manage in the most dire of circumstances. [caption id="attachment_14643" align="alignright" width="173"]Feuerbach_Mirjam_2 Painting of Miriam by Anselm Friedrich Feuerbach[/caption]

Saturday is International Women's Day

Sarah Greenberg
 March 7, 2014

This Shabbat, as we slow down, disconnect and enjoy the day of rest with family and friends, we also have the opportunity to spend some time to reflect on the status of women at home and abroad.

International Women’s Day (IWD) has been celebrated on March 8th for nearly 40 years. This date, designated by the United Nations, falls during Women’s History Month; taken together, these dates remind us to pause and take stock.

Women of Valor: First Female Rabbi

Sarah Greenberg
 March 6, 2014

This profile is part of a blog series on inspiring Jewish women from Women of Reform Judaism during March in celebration of Women’s History Month.

Born in Berlin in 1902, Regina Jones would grow up to be the first female rabbi. Many know the first female rabbi to be Sally Priesand, the first woman ordained in the Reform Movement in 1972. And that fact about Sally was the historical truth, so to speak, until the Berlin Wall came down and records of Jonas’ life were uncovered.