Shira Lewis: A Passion for Israel Inspired By The Legacy Of Jewish Women

In the coming weeks, the Jewish calendar will feature a number of significant dates, encompassing Pesach, Yom HaShoah, Yom HaZikaron and Yom Ha’atzmaut. Each commemoration underscores the disparate history of the Jewish people: the Exodus from Egypt; the six million lives lost in the Holocaust; the sacrifice of Israel’s fallen; and the dynamic reality of the reborn Jewish nation.

A commonality in each of these occasions is the essential role played by Jewish women of strength, valor and heroism. Among the many are Yocheved, mother of Moses, who set the path to freedom in motion when she placed her son in a basket and floated him down the Nile; 23-year-old Hannah Szenes, who courageously parachuted into German-occupied territory, carrying out dangerous missions against the perpetuators of the Holocaust before being captured, tortured and executed by the Nazis; Zahara Levitov, Israel’s first female pilot, who fell in the War of Independence at age 20; and, of course, the iconic Golda Meir, signatory to Israel’s Declaration of Independence and future prime minister of the Jewish state she helped bring to fruition.

The legacy of these heroines, and so many others, has inspired generations of women, motivating them to become proud advocates for Israel and the Jewish people. For many, their overt desire to make a difference came via an awakening resulting through factors such as pride in their heritage or a life-changing experience.

And then there is Shira Lewis, for whom Israel has literally been a lifelong passion. Shira, who currently serves as treasurer and board member of Development Corporation for Israel/Israel Bonds, says her love for Israel took root as early as nursery school and kindergarten, where, she recalls, “We learned ‘Hatikvah’ and wore white tops and blue bottoms for Yom Ha’atzmaut. We even created Israel flag hats. I grew up in a Zionist household, and Israel was always visible and present. I don’t think there was ever a time when Israel was not an important part of my life.”

Shira, back row, third from left, in her Israel flag hat

“Israel Was Always At The Forefront”

Shira grew up in modern Orthodox home “that was very traditional. Israel was always at the forefront.” Her grandparents and father had visited the new Jewish state many times, and her father, who worked as a camp counselor there, was in Israel during the dramatic time of the Eichmann trial. Four years later, her parents honeymooned in Israel.

Shira’s first visit to Israel came at age 11, a family trip she calls “indescribable.” Even prior to boarding the El Al flight, “I felt an instant connection to Israel in the waiting area. It was an incredible feeling to fly on an airplane with Hebrew-speaking pilots and flight attendants. As soon as I stepped off the plane, I felt like I was home.”

When she saw her first soldier, Shira recalls, “I thought ‘wow,’ this is fascinating. Everyone is Jewish.” She continues: “Having gone to day school, and seeing the places I read about and was tested on, was amazing.” She has subsequently visited Israel so many times “I’ve lost count,” estimating the number to be “well above 50.”

On one of her 50+ visits, Shira flies the flag for one of Israel’s favorite products

“I Love Bringing People To Israel”

The most memorable aspect of her involvement with Israel Bonds, particularly as national Women’s Division chair, has been delegations that included women who had never been to Israel. “I love bringing people to Israel and seeing their reaction,” she enthuses. “It’s so exciting to see their faces. They’re always amazed.”

A moment Shira will forever cherish came on the Bonds delegation commemorating Israel’s 70^th anniversary, during which she made a presentation to then-president Reuven Rivlin at his residence, Beit HaNassi.

From little kid with an Israel flag hat to making a presentation to the president of Israel

When asked what it was like for someone who wore an Israel flag hat as a little kid to make a presentation to Israel’s president, Shira laughs. “It was surreal. I thought, ‘Who am I to be presenting to the president of Israel?’ It was an incredible experience.”

“There Are No Words”

On the night of October 6, 2023, Shira was at her Boca Raton home when the rocket alarm app she keeps on her Apple watch went off. “I didn’t think much of it. A friend texted me, and I replied, ‘rockets aren’t acceptable, but it happens all the time. Iron Dome will shoot them down.”

The next day, when the horror became fully apparent, “We couldn’t believe the magnitude of what was happening. I thought there was no way Israel wouldn’t have the sympathy of the world.”

However, when, instead of sympathy, the world erupted in virulent displays of Israel hatred and antisemitism, “For the first time, I realized there could be another Holocaust.”

Her own college, Barnard, was a hotbed of anti-Israel protests, and, she says “It was awful. There are no words. I was horrified by the way people were reacting.” Now, she states, “I have no use for Barnard. I would never give them money – except an Israel bond.”

Shira has been particularly appalled by the silence from women’s organizations. “I wasn’t shocked that they didn’t support Jewish women, but it still hurts. They march for everybody else – it’s a betrayal.”

In May, she and her husband Eric will leave for a three-week trip to Israel, which will include going to the south, viewing sights of the carnage and paying homage to the memories of the victims.

Despite the catastrophe, Shira believes in the strength of Israeli resilience. From that perspective, she especially looks forward to seeing “the everyday people of Israel who do extraordinary things. The things they do, it’s amazing.”

Interviewing Israel’s then-first lady, Nechama Rivlin, at Beit HaNassi

(All photos courtesy of Shira Lewis)