For the past couple of weeks I have wanted to write, but feel like I have been blocked. I wrote a post last week and then deleted it. I am not sure if I am going to post this or not, but I think the only way to get out of the block is to write it and see where it goes.

For those of you who know me or have followed me for a while, you know that about two and half years ago I went on a life changing mission trip to Israel. The organization that was responsible for me being able to go is called JWRP (Jewish Womens Renaissance Project). It is a wonderful organization, started by women, led by women FOR women. I have nothing but the utmost respect for everything they are doing for the Jewish people, the State of Israel and most importantly for Jewish women.

The organization has been written up several times in the past few weeks in several Jewish Newspapers. The trip is touted as “birthright” for MOMS. The articles refer in the article to all the Jewish mothers arriving at the airport like excited young people on the traditional “birthright” trips.

The first lines on the JWRP website are:

“Inspire a woman, you inspire a family. Inspire enough families, you inspire a community. Inspire enough communities, you can change the world.”

On the last night of the trip our group sat in the lobby of the hotel with our Rebbitzen and we discussed what our responsibilities are when we come home. That we would continue to learn and keep the momentum that we were feeling at that moment in Israel alive. Classes, learning, every week. I have been doing that. I went in June 2012 and have been learning constantly since I have come home.

I have to be honest, before I went on this trip to Israel, I had my own person views on the observant world and how it sees the Jewish women. It has been amazing to learn that there is so much we don’t know, or just aren’t aware of the power of the Jewish woman. I have learned how important the Jewish woman is to her home, her family, her friends, her community. More than I ever knew before.

But the power of the Jewish woman, is not just the power of the Jewish MOTHER.

When I went on the trip, there were only 10% of the women from each group that were ‘like me’. When I say that I mean, not married or without children. I get the reasons why, and I fully appreciate them. There are many different trips to Israel one can choose to apply for. This particular one is meant for women who have children under 18 at home. I get it.

As a Jewish woman I will always remember what it felt like to stand at the Kotel with my Siddur and say prayers. I will also always remember what Shabbat at the Kotel felt like, dancing and singing with hundreds of Jewish women bringing Shabbat in.

I consider myself to be blessed in more ways I ever thought possible.

I know that I inspire people. I have been told. My mother shares my blogs with her friends and family and they write her back with amazing words of praise. I share my stories that I learn in my classes. I even took a friend of mine to the mega Challah bake over the Global Shabbat back in October. I know that she was affected by the power of the Mitzvah of Challah. I know that I changed something in her life. That is the power of a Jewish WOMAN.

I am grateful. I am thankful for everything that I have received since going on my trip to Israel. Lessons are around us every day, with every step, with every word. They don’t always make sense at the time but with time, they will make sense.