This Kehilaton issue is dedicated to the blessed memory of Esther Libowsky, z"l, mother of Elaine Cohn, President of Temple Beth Israel.
 
Thousands of years ago and written in the Book of Proverbs, King Solomon asked the question:  "Ayshet-Chayel Mi Yimtza?" - "A Woman of Valor, Who Can Find?"  

This Shabbat, we read Parashat Chayei Sarah (Sarah's Life) which begins with the death of Sarah, and continues into the story of our second matriarch, Rebecca.  Thus, this is an appropriate time to contemplate whether Sarah and Rebecca were "women of valor".   
 
But regardless of whether Sarah and/or Rebecca are "Solomon-official" women of valor, we can safely say that Jewish women have certainly played a very important role within our tradition!
 
For example...