Drash – Vayakhel-Pikudei

Rabbi Allison RH Conyer

Temple Beth Israel, Melbourne

There are moments when coincidences challenge even the most skeptical mind. This week is one of them.

This past Sunday, 8 March, the world marked the 115th International Women’s Day, honouring the struggle for women’s equality while celebrating the contributions of women across society. This year’s theme, “Give to Gain,” highlights the power of reciprocity: when we give to causes, to communities, to one another, we all gain. The campaign encouraged individuals and organisations to support gender equality through donations, volunteering, mentoring, and advocacy, while raising awareness of persistent discrimination, economic inequality, and threats to women’s rights both locally and globally.

Also, this past Sunday, the Jewish people began reading the final Torah portion of the book of Exodus –  Parshat Vayakhel-Pekudei, the only parsha that specifically acknowledges the efforts and contributions of women, as noted by Rabbi Nancy H. Wiener, in her commentary Of Women and Mirrors[1]. Coincidence – or not…

In contrast to Parshat Trumah, which calls for “כׇּל־אִישׁ אֲשֶׁר יִדְּבֶנּוּ לִבּוֹ” — “every MAN whose heart moves him” (Ex. 25:2) shall make an offering to G-d, this week’s parashah states: וַיָּבֹ֥אוּ הָאֲנָשִׁ֖ים עַל־הַנָּשִׁ֑ים כֹּ֣ל נְדִ֣יב לֵ֗ב…””
“The MEN came together with the WOMEN, all whose hearts moved them…” (Ex. 35:22) to make an offering to G-d.

The text goes further, recognising the women’s artistry and craftsmanship in ways rarely seen elsewhere in the Torah (Ex. 35:20–29). This uncharacteristic emphasis on the women’s abilities and offerings beyond that of their status as daughter or wife, is noteworthy, as if G-d is reminding ALL THE PEOPLE to value and not overlook the skills, talents and gifts of the women.

And just in case the message is missed, the Torah repeats it:

כׇּל־אִישׁ וְאִשָּׁה אֲשֶׁר נָדַב לִבָּם…””
“All the MEN and WOMEN whose hearts moved them…” (Ex. 35:29).

Rabbi Wiener reflects on how women’s contributions built the mishkan and continue to shape modern Jewish communal life. Yet, despite the explicit references to women’s contribution to the mishkan, she notes the exclusion of female participation in Jewish life and leadership in some Jewish communities today where the skills and contributions of Jewish women are ignored, undervalued, or disparaged.

Over the past century, however, we have witnessed extraordinary change. Because of the struggles of those who came before us, Jewish women today serve as rabbis across the Reform/Progressive, Conservative/Masorti, and even parts of the Modern Orthodox world. Women now lead major Jewish institutions and organisations, including the World Union, Israel Movement, and Victorian branch of Progressive Judaism, Jewish Community Council of Victoria, and Zionism Victoria.

Soon, for the first time in Australia’s history, three women will serve as the senior rabbis of our three largest Progressive congregations – something I was told would never happen.

Yet, our work is far from finished.

The timing of both this week’s double parsha and International Women’s Day highlights two other significant international issues that continue to impede women’s progress: the oppressive laws for women in Iran and the current Israeli law inhibiting egalitarian prayer at the Kotel (the Western Wall).

On 13 December 2024, the Iranian government enacted the “Law on Protecting the Family through the Promotion of the Culture of Chastity and Hijab,” imposing harsh punishments, including flogging, heavy fines, prison sentences, travel bans, and restrictions on education and employment, on women who defy compulsory veiling laws, and any person or organisation that protests or tries to help them.

This year, on 25 February, the current Israeli government put forth a bill that would imprison anyone for up to seven years for praying at the Kotel contrary to ultra-Orthodox standards. 36 years of activism by Women at the Wall advocating for the right of Jewish women to pray aloud, read from the Sefer Torah, wear a tallit or kippah (if they choose), or for all genders to pray together at the egalitarian section of the kotel will be abolished. Click here to sign a petition against enforcing this bill supporting the vision of a Jewish state that embraces the diversity of Jewish expression: https://rebrand.ly/maoz-levin.

This week, we are launching our UIA Progressive Trust Appeal. Our Israeli Progressive movement is fighting for the rights of women and minorities in Israel, reminding our Israeli leadership not to overlook the skills and value women offer in our sacred spaces, and to lead according to our Jewish values inherent in Torah.

Whether you believe in coincidences or not, the message of this week is clear: when we give, we strengthen the future of our people. I encourage our entire community to attend a UIA Progressive Trust gathering in your city and give generously in order for Israel and all Jewish people to gain the benefits.

Shabbat Shalom

[1] Commentary on Parshat Va’yakhel, published in The Women’s Torah Commentary (2008)