Women in Israel is a topic n discussed multiple times during AFUWOFI lectures. On the second last day of our trip, we had a stimulating discussion about women with Hannah Soltz Aharony, specifically about women’s health and education. Hannah, a representative of the Jewish Federation of Cleveland, explained both the struggles of all women in Israel, as well as the role of Federation/Cleveland Jewish community in improving this situation.
Q: Why do Israeli women seem less independent/free than men?
A: One reason Israeli women tend to hold fewer leadership roles than men relates to the traditions of that woman’s culture. In many religions, including Judaism and Islam, the woman tends to stay in the home taking care of every person before herself and ensuring that everything runs smoothly. Meanwhile the husband is the ambassador to the larger work world. Though traditions are important, it is also important to empower these women. Society needs to change their perspective of the role of women.
Q: How many women live in Israel?
A: They number 2,900,000. Over age 30, there are more women than men.
Q: What is the life expectancy of women in Israel?
A: The average length is 83.4 years. Though the man’s is lower at 79.7, the man’s is the 2nd highest rate in the world, whereas the woman’s is 9th. This is because the women take care of everyone in the family before themselves. For example, women go for medical check-ups less often than men. Among Israeli minorities (Arabs, Ethiopian and ultra-Orthodox Jews) there is more sickness due to a lack of education about many different aspects of health.
Q: What needs to change with respect to women and health?
A: Three things. First, policy. Medical services need to be more accessible to women throughout Israel, especially in the Bedouin communities. Second, the education of service givers needs to be upgraded. Right now, the medical field approaches diagnosis in a unisex way, leaning toward symptoms men usually have when contracting a disease. Nurses need to be educated about the symptoms of women versus men in areas such as heart disease. Third, the women themselves need to change and become more responsible for themselves. Many women lack higher education and are uninformed about health issues, especially nutrition. These women need to gain knowledge about these concepts in order to improve their own and their family’s health.
Q: What is the Jewish Federation of Cleveland doing to help?
A: The Federation has a huge role (i giving time, money and supplies) to many women-oriented organizations in Israel. These are just a few:
1. One in Nine: This organization helps breast cancer patients. It increases the number of women going for regular mammograms in the ultra-Orthodox community.
2. Community Center Association: This organization uses women leaders to promote women’s health in within Jerusalem’s ultra-Orthodox community.
3. Hadasah Tipat Halar: This program teaches nurses about women’s health (including nutrition and physical activity). The nurses can then pass on this information to their female patients.
4. Yasmin in the Negev: This organization promotes the health of Bedouin women.
- Many groups help disabled Jewish and Arab women deal with issues such as low self-esteem and abuse.
Q: Why has every person who talked to us mentioned the ultra-Orthodox and Arab communities?
A: These two communities are the fastest growing groups in the nation. Lots of taxes go to provide these groups with national health insurance. It is cheaper to educate them and prevent disease than pay their medical bills when they get sick..
Women’s health issue is a complex issue, with no simple solutions. However, organizations such as the ones funded by the Jewish Federation of Cleveland bring us closer to achieving overall health improvement in women. When you, as members of the Cleveland Jewish community, donate money to the Federation, you help better the lives of a countless number of Israeli women, and that is priceless.