About this project and the author, Laya Saul
Welcome to the FeminineTorah.com. This website started with writing (the not yet published) book for Jewish women, Sisterhood of the Copper Mirrors-Legacy of the Jewish Woman. I teach a class on Women in the Tanach* at a seminary in Israel. My amazing students and I have been moved and inspired by the stories and gifts that the women in Tanach-our Jewish matriarchs-give us.
One day of my students told me she was sharing what she was learning with her friends. I said, "You know, I've been thinking maybe I should put this all into a book and what you're saying makes me think I really should."
"Oh," she replied, "you have to write a book! We don't know the difference between Sarah and Cinderella... and that is retarded!"
If ever I wasn't sure I should do this project, I remembered her words and took one more step. I want women to have access to these stories and gifts right away. It's that powerful. And I'm that driven.
In these challenging times, our world needs these stories and teachings to get us through and to help us through the hard times and to give us the strength to rise up with purpose. I want these writings to serve as an inspiration so Jewish women will know the truth about who we are, and rise. Just as we individually have gifts and purpose, we, as a nation, have a mission too. It is well known among Torah scholars that in the merit of the righteous women, all our highest hopes and dreams for this world can come to pass.
I hope that we can all get past the limiting beliefs and misconceptions about what it is to be a Jewish woman. I know that as more and more of us step into our potential, we will rock the heavens and the earth with blessings and light. I also want to create a place where Jewish women can come together, beyond denomination, beyond location, beyond dress, beyond age. As the women from all twelve tribes lifted their tambourines and danced and sang by the side of the Yam Suf (Red Sea), so do we have the chance in our generation to dance together.
Studying and learning about the women of the Tanach is not just learning stories, it's about receiving life lessons and understanding who we are. Each of the women is an archetype or role model. Within each one of us live the seeds of the qualities, strengths, and character traits of these women. The lessons these women learned in their lives are their gifts to us.
* Tanach is an acronym for the Hebrew names of elements that compose major parts of scripture: T = Tehilim (psalms), N = Nevi’im (prophets), CH = Chumash (five books of Moses, the bible)
About Laya Saul
I am an international speaker and the author of an award winning self help book for teens titled, “You Don’t Have to Learn Everything the Hard Way.” With a masters degree in “life’s stupid mistakes” I learned a lot the “hard way.” I later went on to earn an MA in applied psychology. So, with the hopes of helping to smooth the way, encourage and strengthen others, I wrote my first book.
Moving to northern Israel with my family I began teaching at a seminary for young women. The topic I love teaching most of all is about the women of Tanach.
I’ve always known that using stories to teach is a wonderful tool.
As I did my homework for teaching my class about women of the bible, I found that the stories of the women of Tanach were not just nice, simple stories in history. Each of the women lived a life that ignites within each of us the sparks of strength, purpose, and majesty. It has become my passion to teach the truth about these women and what they give us. If we are to take our place in our time in history, we must know who we are and where we come from. Then we are empowered to live our best lives.
I speak, facilitate retreats, and teach both online as well as a women’s seminary in Israel. I spend way too much time on the computer, so if you write me a note, I'll write you back. Please let me know what's important to you.
You can find out more about me here: www.LayaSaul.com