By all accounts, Purim this year was an ideal time for dozens of communities around the world to offer meaningful opportunities for women to participate in megillah readings, in both all women and partnership settings.

From Sacramento and Irvine, California, to Skokie and West Rogers Park, Illinois, to New York City, and numerous communities across the United States, as well as around the globe to many more readings in Europe, Israel, and Australia. Not only were the pictures fantastic, the feedback was incredibly enthusiastic. As one annual leyner shared — echoing sentiments that many other women share — megillah reading was the most meaningful aspect of her Purim experience.

Encouraging and supporting women and communities with the resources to organize and learn megillah readings where women participate is just one of the ways that Jofa helps to expand opportunities for women to participate in a meaningful way within the framework of halakha, to build a vibrant and equitable Orthodox community.

Yasher Kochachen to all who participated, and may that number continue to grow each year!