Goldfinger was shocked at the response. The women traveled to Israel and Jordan Nov. 7-20. Their trip, sponsored by San Francisco Reform Congregations Sherith Israel and Emanu-El and led by rabbis Goldfinger and Helen Cohn, focused on the role of women in the Middle East, largely in Israel. Many of the women were visiting Israel for the first time. Cohn recalled the roommates who decided to travel separately during the day so they could compare notes at night.
Women are more willing to look at the human sides of issues.
Earlier this year Sukolsky celebrated her bat mitzvah. Her first trip to Israel was another step in her quest to understand her Jewish identity. She found the everyday use of Hebrew most striking. I've just learned to read Hebrew. Sherith Israel member Susan Cole had visited Israel four times before the women's trip.