Some 150 Jewish women gathered on Feb. 17 at the Chabad of Palm Beach Gardens in Florida for its annual Ladies in Leadership Initiative champagne brunch. The event centered both on the Chassidic view of women in contemporary society and solemnly marked 500 days since the Hamas-led terrorist attacks in southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.
Those assembled heard testimony from Orna Neutra, the mother of Omer Maxim Neutra, a tank platoon commander from New York whom Hamas killed and whose body it continues to hold. There was also a panel of journalists addressing media bias and a rendition of Psalms, accompanied by a guitarist.
“We live in a world that often defines feminism in secular terms through power struggles, societal validation and external achievements,” Chana Vigler, co-founder of the Chabad center, told attendees.
“Judaism has always understood the power of women differently,” Vigler said. “Chassidic feminism, as I like to call it, is not about competing with men or mirroring their roles. It’s about fully embracing the divine strength, dignity and influence uniquely granted to us by God.”
The biblical matriarchs Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel and Leah were prophets, spiritual leaders and decision-makers, in addition to being wives and mothers, Vigler noted.
Vigler told JNS that the event honored “two extraordinary women whose strength and leadership have made a lasting impact.” (Those honored were Orna Neutra with a “Mother of Israel Award,” and Jan Burke, a founding member of the Chabad center, with a “Lady in Leadership Award.”)
“Beyond recognizing these outstanding individuals, the brunch aimed to inspire and empower all attendees,” Vigler told JNS. “The program highlighted the vital role Jewish women play in shaping their families and communities, encouraging them to embrace leadership, take action and stand strong in their faith.”
“In a time when Jewish voices must be louder than ever, Orna Neutra’s powerful words resonated deeply, reinforcing the importance of speaking up and leading with conviction,” Vigler added.
‘Empathy in reserves’
Neutra told attendees that she found out from Israeli military intelligence 422 days after her son was taken captive that terrorists murdered him on Oct. 7.
“Over the course of this time, to many, Omer became a symbol of the devastation caused by the events of Oct. 7,” she told attendees. She noted that flags were lowered to half-staff throughout New York State, and Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-N.Y.) mentioned her son on the House floor.
“During the shiva, President Trump called us and then followed up with a letter of condolence,” she said.
“During this past year, so many young people Omer touched reached back to us describing the light Omer shed everywhere he went,” she added. “How he had empathy in reserves for everyone. How responsible of a leader he grew into being.”
Neutra told JNS that her aim was “to emotionally connect the women to the hostage crisis and to convey the urgency of the hostage release—the living and the deceased.”
She added that the event was “well thought-through.”
“I believe it was impactful,” she told JNS. “I was honored to be there and to receive the acknowledgment and support.”
Media bias
The program also featured a panel with the broadcast journalist Brittney Hopper (formerly of CBS News in Los Angeles) and Ariella Noveck, a media strategist and co-founder of Shield Communications PR.
Vigler, who moderated the panel, asked how much opinions rather than facts find their way into news reporting. Hopper said that it is “extremely naive” to think that there is no bias in the media today.
Noveck said that journalists lack sufficient understanding of the facts, and “it is our job to educate them.”
“Don’t expect anyone to know anything unless you yourself have picked up the phone, made that phone call or have told them what the fact is that you really want to get off your chest,” she said. “Don’t rely on your neighbor, you must do it yourself.”
Hopper told attendees that “big entities” control the media narrative.
“We have these major media companies that are saying what they want to say,” she said. “‘According to the Hamas ministry.’ Seriously? A declared, known terrorist organization? We’re attributing them?”
Noveck told attendees that they should contact journalists directly with concerns.
In late July, a major news organization reported that “three militants” were killed amid Hezbollah rocket fire in the Golan Heights, she said.
“No. Unfortunately, it was 10 kids on a soccer field. So I called, and I said, ‘Hey. Just wanted to let you know, this article seems to be wrong. But don’t worry, it’s not your fault. The AP newswire got it wrong. You guys just published it. Would you mind taking a look?’” Noveck told attendees.
The journalist thanked her for calling and asked her what the new headline ought to say, according to Noveck.
“So there are open-minded people. They have no idea why the wires are wrong,” she said. “But they do thank you for taking the time to enlighten them.”
“I am loud and proud,” Hopper said. “Whether you have 200 followers or 200 million followers, stand up for what you believe in.”