As 2024 draws to a close, the JWA team takes a moment to celebrate some of the incredible moments and achievements of Jewish women and gender-expansive people from the past year. 

"I loved watching Australian Jewish sisters Jessica and Noémie Fox win medals at the Olympics, Jessica in canoe slalom and Noémie in slalom kayak cross. When Noémie won gold, Jessica jumped in the water to celebrate with her. They’re both coached by their mom, herself a Jewish woman Olympic medalist in canoe slalom!"—Sarah Biskowitz, Manager of the Rising Voices Fellowship

"Claudia Sheinbaum's election as the first woman and first Jew to be president of Mexico was my 2024 highlight. In addition to her political skills—including schooling a certain incoming politician on how tariffs work—"la Doctora" is a climate scientist who served on the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). At a time when the planet is threatened, and impoverished residents of the global South are already among climate change's earliest victims, having Sheinbaum at the helm will be an informed voice for sane energy and climate resilience policy."—Debra Cash, Chief Development Officer

"What excited me most was the September 2024 release of Songs for the Brokenhearted by Ayelet Tsabari. This book is on my winter break reading list and from the synopsis it is clear that it is an important book tackling topics rarely explored in literature. Ayelet Tsabari is also Canadian, like me, so I feel even more connected to her work."—Erez Zobary, Twersky Fellow

"Honestly, what has most excited me has been JWA’s launch of the Pomegranate Writing Fellowship for Jewish Women of Color! In this difficult transitional moment, it’s been so helpful to have something forward-looking to think about and to feel like we’re offering something valuable to a community that is often marginalized on so many fronts."—Jenny Sartori, Chief Communications Officer & Encyclopedia Editor

"Rachel Goldberg-Polin—her wisdom, her words, and her advocacy for her son Hersh z”l and the others taken hostage—has been a constant source of strength throughout this year."—Danielle Kranjec, Twersky Fellow

"Gloria Steinem—feminist icon and all-around badass human being—turned 90 this year! She continues to have such an incredible impact on our world, and on feminists of all ages. I am truly grateful to live during a time when she walks this earth. She gives us all something to aspire to."—Mikki Pugh, Chief of Staff

"The rising popularity of Jewish transfemme writer/director Jane Schoenbrun—and their gorgeous film, I Saw The TV Glow—has been a major highlight of this year for me. In a film landscape oversaturated with projects that are ultimately about major corporations moving money around, Schoenbrun’s work is so original, and their auteurial voice is so well-developed. I can’t wait to see what they do next."—Sarah Jae Leiber, Blog Writer

"So many Jewish female comedians put out new specials this year! Jacqueline Novak’s Get On Your Knees and Hannah Einbinder’s Everything Must Go were two of my favorites. It’s always great to have something to watch that makes you laugh!"—Sarah Groustra, Blog Writer

"I was so inspired this year by the tireless and brave work of Israeli feminist lawyer and law professor Cochav Elkayam-Levy. An expert on human rights and international law, she has been documenting the atrocities of October 7 against women and children through the Civil Commission she founded, and also traversing the globe to hold the international community accountable for disregarding  the human rights of Israeli women. I had the opportunity to meet Cochav this year, in both Israel and the US, and her fierce commitment to feminist human rights is a beacon in this dark time.

On a much lighter note, I just kvelled watching Maya Rudolph playing Kamala Harris on Saturday Night Live. Amidst a stressful election season, Rudolph lightened the mood with her brilliant blend of humor and honor. And if we include the Jewish-adjacent, then Kamala herself could be on the list!"—Judith Rosenbaum, CEO

"I loved reading JWA’s new addition to our Encyclopedia on photographer Claude Cahun. Cahun’s work is iconic and arresting, and they lived a rebellious life in the face of multi-faceted forms of oppression. It is exciting to see their life and work carried on through our archive."—Hannah Altman, Digital Media Editor

"Reading Maira Kalman’s new book, Still Life With Remorse, was a beautiful and poignant experience. She combines beauty, pathos, and aching regret with moments of sly, understated humor. It’s a book of deep humanity that feels urgent in this historical moment."—Betsy More, Director of Programs

"One of the highlights of my year was getting to know R & B pop artist Erez Zobary and her music when I interviewed her for our podcast. The songs on her latest album, Erez, weave her Yemeni family's story into incredibly catchy melodies—highly recommended listening!"—Jen Richler, Blog Editor and Podcast Producer          

What was your 2024 Jewish women's highlight? Leave us a comment below!