Visitors to Israel may notice that certain street names appear repeatedly in different cities and towns. Among the leading female figures in Jewish history who are today honored on multiple street signs throughout the Jewish state are these three pioneers:

Hannah Senesh was born in Budapest in 1921 and made aliyah to British Mandate Palestine in 1939. As a paratrooper, she was dropped into Yugoslavia in 1944; was captured soon after entering Hungary; and was executed by firing squad. Senesh was also a poet whose most famous work, “Eli, Eli,” became a stirring song that is sung on many occasions, including on Yom Hashoah, which this year begins on April 27.

Salome Alexandra/Shlomtzion HaMalka is sometimes referred to as the Queen of Judea and was the second of only two women to ever reign over Judea, which she did from c. 75 BCE to 67 BCE. She was married first to Aristobulus I and then to Alexander Jannaeus, who named his wife the next ruler on his deathbed. She became instrumental in returning Judaism to Pharisee-rabbinic control.

Bruriah/Bat Hananiah was the daughter of Rabbi Hananiah ben Teradion, one of the Ten Martyrs mentioned on Yom Kippur and Tisha B’Av. Bruriah was a Talmudic sage who was known for her great knowledge of Jewish law and legend. In modern times, she was included in artist Judy Chicago’s installation The Dinner Party.

Now you know…
More About Jewish Women Whose Names Appear on Israeli Street Signs