Israeli women honored at Chochmat Nashim’s Women of Iron Awards

As a more than fitting alternative, referencing Operation Swords of Iron, Chochmat Nashim coined the term “women of iron” – and on December 23, the organization honored heroic and intrepid Jewish women at the Women of Iron Awards.

The event, held at the Nefesh B’Nefesh campus in Jerusalem’s Cinema City complex, recognized 18 Israeli women whose courage, leadership, and compassion shaped their communities amid the many crises that have befallen the Jewish people since Oct. 7.

The honorees included paramedics and doctors who saved lives that day; mothers and spouses who lost sons and husbands; a woman who was held captive by Hamas; women who have valiantly represented Israel on social media; researchers who documented the Hamas crimes against women, men, and children; dedicated volunteers who identified and prepared the bodies of slain female soldiers; and wives whose husbands fought multiple tours of duty in the war.

Citing the contributions of some of the recipients, she said, “Some of these women have been heroes in comforting others. You don’t have to run down to a war zone to be a hero. Some of these women, unfortunately, through deep, tragic loss, have found national purpose and have given to the nation.”

She continued, “Iris Haim’s son Yotam was fatally shot in error by IDF soldiers, and Iris has so many reasons to be angry and bitter and all the negative emotions that come with pain. And yet, she’s a national symbol of hope, forgiveness, comfort, love, and unity. It’s something to be honored, learned from, and emulated. I’d like very much for people to realize these women’s potential in their God-given way.”

Ben-David was instrumental in creating the Jewish Life Photo Bank, a collection of thousands of stock photos of Orthodox Jewish women for media and personal use, part of Chochmat Nashim’s efforts to prevent the erasure of female faces in Jewish publications.

Keats Jaskoll was clearly moved when speaking about Ben-David and paused several times during her remarks to regain her composure. She recalled, “With the support of friends who helped me survive the tragedy of her passing... we decided to turn that support into a tribute by honoring women. It morphed from a way to honor Laura, a way to extend the photo bank, and a way to raise the voices and visibility of women – which is what Chochmat Nashim has always been about – and it turned into a major project.

“Laura always wanted them [the photos] to be an exhibition of Jewish life,” Keats Jaskoll said. “We never got around to it because Laura passed away in July, and the photo bank was renamed in her memory. I was looking for a way to both honor Laura and continue this legacy that she wanted to see the photo bank become. The idea became more than an exhibition; it turned into an awards ceremony.”

Ben-David’s daughter Lexi Rotem highlighted her mother’s strength.

“As a photographer, my mother believed that the way we look at people changes our understanding of the world. She had a way of seeing strength where others saw struggle, and she believed in bearing witness even when it was uncomfortable. Thank you to my mother, who always believed that women carry the strength to survive and taught me to stand strong. To the women who faced terror and loss and found their voices, I say thank you for your courage, humanity, and strength,” she said.

While the awards event honored women who had performed heroic deeds, experienced tragedy and loss, and contended with stress, tension, and tragedy, there was a celebratory air about the evening.

Plentiful reception fare preceded the awards program. Servers scurried about the room offering hors d’oeuvres, while soup, pasta, and wine were served at stations – and friends, relatives, and the honorees chatted as soft rock played in the background.

At the rear of the room stood an exhibit of large photos of the honorees, accompanied by descriptions of their accomplishments. Guests eagerly snapped photos of the women of iron and of local VIPS, such as United Hatzalah founder and president Eli Beer, whose wife, Gitti Beer, founder of the Women’s Unit of United Hatzalah, was honored at the event.

Among other well-known personalities in attendance were Hillel Neuer, executive director of UN Watch; and William C. Daroff, CEO of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations. A number of well-known Israeli Instagram personalities were among the guests as well.

One by one, in Hebrew and English, they introduced the women to be honored. A short video of each honoree speaking about her wartime efforts was screened. Then, each woman was called to the podium to receive her award.

During her remarks, Keats Jaskoll noted that many of the women whom she had approached had been somewhat diffident about receiving the award. “The funny thing about honoring women is that they never feel that they’re worthy. I cannot even tell you how many of these women said, ‘Why me?’”

Keats Jaskoll views the awards ceremony as an opportunity to advocate for a greater role for women in the country’s leadership.

Apart from the brisk pace of the program, what made the event unique was the wide range of honorees, representing a broad cross-section of Israeli society, which Keats Jaskoll said was not accidental.

“I’ve done my best to try to take women from all backgrounds, all ages, and all activities. Some of them are literal lifesavers, and some are storytellers. I think that that’s the beauty of having an exhibition where people can always find at least one person to connect with.”

One of the most compelling aspects of the evening was the accessibility of the award recipients to the audience. Both at the reception and after the formal conclusion of the event, attendees introduced themselves to the honorees, expressing appreciation for their heroism and accomplishments. Hugs and smiles – and an abundance of tears – were on display from the more than 300 attendees, as well as the award recipients.

The awardees, who wore black-and-white buttons emblazoned with the words “Women of Iron,” expressed gratitude and admiration for their fellow honorees.

Recipient American-Israeli journalist and entrepreneur Emily Schrader has focused on documenting Hamas’s atrocities, exposing the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war, and bringing the testimonies of survivors to the forefront.

Schrader said, “More than ever, we’ve seen the issue of sexual violence come to the forefront, and this is something that all of us here and this organization have focused on speaking about and raising awareness about. To be honored for the work that I have done, but also to be alongside so many other women who have accomplished such incredible and amazing things for our country, is truly a profound honor, and I’m very grateful.”

Shari Mendes was honored for accompanying the bodies of slain female soldiers during identification at the Shura military forensic base, preparing bodies for burial, and bearing witness to the atrocities, including sexual violence, for months after Oct. 7. She said before the presentation, “It’s really remarkable noting the contributions of women. It’s important because I want people around the world to see what women did – because women really had a big part in this.”

Another woman, honored for her efforts in documenting the violence perpetrated by Hamas, was Cochav Elkayam-Levy, an expert in international law and human rights. She is the founder and chair of the Civil Commission for the Investigation and Documentation of Hamas Crimes against Women and Children on Oct. 7, a law lecturer at Reichman University, and member of the Public Council of Women Wage Peace.

During the war, husband and wife Hillel and Zahava Diener were both on active duty and put off their plans of pursuing officer training in order to serve where they were most needed. Sgt. First Class (res.) Hillel Diener, a soldier in the Kfir Brigade’s Shimshon Battalion, was killed in December 2024.

With Hillel’s death, Zahava became a war widow. Alongside her personal grief, she chose to speak out and participate in the public conversation. With remarkable courage, she returned to her own personal dream, completed officers’ training, was commissioned as a lieutenant, and continued her service in the Israel Air Force (IAF). Diener was matter-of-fact about her situation, downplaying her achievements, saying, “We’re all human, and we’re women of iron. But I’m living my life.”

On Oct. 7, and for five tours in Gaza over the following two years, she worried about her husband while caring for their home and children – ranging in age from nine months to eight years. “I would just say that it’s better to laugh than cry. It’s the only way to get through it,” she said succinctly.

“Nowadays, with the rise of antisemitism, I think that Jewish kids are probably completely terrified of the future and of the present, [asking,] ‘What does a hero look like? What does a heroine look like? What does someone who gives to their community look like? How can I be Jewish these days and help my community?’ I hope it will bring comfort, inspiration, and hope to people who see the exhibition,” she said.

Chochmat Nashim has been in contact with schools in Israel, as well as Diaspora communities, regarding taking the Woman of Iron exhibition to Jewish community centers, synagogues, and schools. It has already received inquiries from London and Boca Raton.

Keats Jaskoll said that bringing the exhibition overseas would combine her goals of showcasing the achievements of Jewish women, along with Israel advocacy.

“I’ve always spoken out for Israel, and I’ve always spoken out to make Israel a better place and less extreme. For me, it would be a beautiful thing to be able to meld those two things, advocating for Israel, through women.”

Chochmat Nashim bills itself as a global advocacy group “raising the voices and visibility of women through education, media, and direct community tools to promote a healthier, more inclusive Orthodox society.” In that context, the event increased the visibility of women and promoted a more inclusive Orthodox society and a healthier Israeli society-at-large as well.

After the last award was presented and the program officially ended, many in the audience members lingered to meet their heroes and perhaps take a selfie with them. In conclusion, the desserts were consumed, and people bundled up against the Jerusalem winds, warmed by the spirit of the evening and the heroism and remarkable achievements it had honored.■