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.
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