The Menorah Community youth project of the Dnipro Jewish Community, which is actively developing thanks to the efforts of the Zislin family, held another women’s lesson. This time, it was devoted to a deep understanding of the role of women in the Torah and their unique spiritual potential as a hidden force capable of exerting a decisive influence on world events.
The main part of the meeting was led by project teacher Daniella Listengurt, who structured the lesson as a thoughtful and informative discussion of how the Torah reveals feminine nature not through outward manifestations, but through inner depth, invisibility, and the ability to influence the surrounding reality.
During the lesson, the participants reflected on why women’s role in the world often remains hidden, yet it is precisely in this hiddenness that lies their strength. The idea was discussed that women, like the Almighty, act without external fanfare or recognition, but it is precisely through this modesty that their true influence is revealed, allowing them to gently guide events—with a word, a glance, or even a hint.
Special attention was paid to understanding how women can influence another person’s spiritual path. Using well-known stories of sages as examples, the participants saw how women can inspire, guide, and reveal potential, as well as the extent of their influence—both uplifting and counter-uplifting.
A special feminine perception, combining emotionality, depth, and flexibility, was also discussed. Participants came to understand that these qualities are not a sign of weakness, but, on the contrary, give women a unique ability to sense the hidden, adapt to various situations, and develop an internally accurate understanding of what is happening.
The lesson concluded with a deeper exploration of women’s special closeness to the Creator, expressed in their ability to create new life, underscoring their unique spiritual potential in both the physical and spiritual worlds.
“It was very important for the girls to hear how women are like the Almighty in their invisibility, how they lack recognition and external encouragement, yet it is precisely through this modesty that their true strength is revealed, for they, like the ’eminence grise,’ can determine much without being in the spotlight,” says project co-director Esti Zislina. “This lesson helped the girls re-examine the role of women in the Torah—not as secondary, but as a hidden yet defining force, upon which the world, as well as our united and cohesive Jewish community of Dnipro under the leadership of its Chief Rabbi Shmuel Kaminezki, largely rests.”
