Avot V'Imahot

Our founding Mothers and

Fathers...

By Zoe Goldstein and Rachel O’Brien

Who the mothers and

fathers are

the stories of some of the

mothers and fathers

What we use and

why we use it

Versions/Interpretations

There are many interpretations of Avot V'Imahot. Some versions just include

the Fathers and not the mothers. Other versions include both.

(different ones here)

Our temple has a version where both the mothers and fathers are mentioned.

We use that one because we are reform Jews.

What We Use and Why

We use the version of Avot V’Imahot that

mentions the mothers. We use it because it

equalizes women and men, and if it doesn’t,

women may feel less empowered. It mentions

the women not just as a list but at the end,

when it says “Sarah’s Helper”.

Who They Are

Fathers: Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob

Mothers: Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel, and Leah

was the father of

Isaac

was the father

of Jacob and

the son of

Abraham.

was the son

of Isaac.

was the mother of

Jacob.

was the

second

wife of

Jacob.

was the

first wife of

Jacob.

was the

mother of

Isaac

His brother was mean and hairy, but he was

nice and calm. Then, blind Isaac called in

Jacob’s brother, Esau, to give him his

fortune, but Esau was out hunting. Then

Rebecca (Jacob and Esau’s mother) dressed

him in fur to feel like Esau’s hairiness and

Jacob got Isaac’s fortune instead of Esau.

Jacob Part One

Jacob Part Two

Jacob wanted to marry Rachel, so he worked seven years so

Rachel’s father, Laban, would let her. He worked those seven

years and married Rachel. But her face was covered in a veil

at the wedding. Little did he know, it was actually Leah

because Laban did not want to marry Rachel away. But finally,

Jacob convinced Laban to let him work for seven more years

and marry Rachel. Jacob worked those years, and finally was

able to marry her.

Story of Sarah (mother of Judaism)

Sarah wanted to have a child, and god

rewarded her with a child after she let the

strangers come and live in her house for

awhile and she cared for them.