By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief
Two Palisadians—Maryam Zar and Rabbi Amy Bernstein—have received Woman of the Year honors for 2023, which were celebrated during a ceremony in Sacramento on March 20.
“Each year, each California legislator chooses a woman in their district to honor in collaboration with the Legislative Women’s Caucus” as part of Women’s History Month, according to information shared about the honors. “The Legislative Women’s Caucus is proud to be honoring women from throughout the state who are making substantial contributions to science, technology, commerce, arts, culture and civic life.”
Zar was honored as Woman of the Year by Senator Ben Allen, who represents Senate District 24, who noted in a statement that “Iranian-born Zar is a strong advocate for human rights and the women’s movement taking place in Iran.”
Zar currently serves as chair of Pacific Palisades Community Council, secretary for Pacific Palisades Park Advisory Board, chair of the board of Palisades-Malibu YMCA, and chair of Westside Regional Alliance of Councils Land Use and Planning Committee.
“This past year, the courageous women of Iran have taken to the streets fighting for their rights,” Allen wrote. “Here in the United States, Persian-American women have led the fight to make sure their struggle is not ignored. Maryam has been a leader in this effort. Her leadership builds upon years of community service in the Palisades and broader LA region. She has been putting in the hard work of finding local solutions for homelessness, leading the Community Council with strength and energy.”
Zar moved to the United States in 1979, earning her bachelor’s degree from Boston University and juris doctorate from Pepperdine University. She returned to Iran in 1992 as a news correspondent, and in 2010 she established Womenfound to “promote awareness of the plight of women around the world.”
“This year—particularly with the significance of the woman life, freedom, movement in Iran—it means a lot to me,” Zar said to the Palisadian-Post about the honor. “I’m absolutely humbled to have been chosen in this district where I know so many women have remarkable achievements. I think my work on the women life freedom front played a role in Senator Allen honoring me this year, and for that, I am particularly grateful.”
Rabbi Bernstein was selected as Woman of the Year by Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin, who represents District 42.
“Rabbi Bernstein is a trailblazer who has fought for equity and inclusion within her faith,” Irwin wrote. “As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, Rabbi Bernstein knows first-hand the obstacles one can face, and has done so with dignity and grace. Her work in the community providing support and philanthropic giving through various faith-based organizations is remarkable and makes her an excellent choice as my 2023 Woman of the Year.”
Rabbi Bernstein left yeshiva at the age of 16, according to information shared by Irwin’s office, when she realized the school’s values conflicted with her understanding of Judaism. Later, she studied under a female Rabbi at the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College in Atlanta.
“It’s wonderful to celebrate the good stuff that’s happening in the world right now,” Rabbi Bernstein shared with the Palisadian-Post of the honor. “It means a lot to me that people are putting energy into positive things.”
Rabbi Bernstein was ordained in 1997 and spent 14 years serving in Duluth, Minnesota, before coming to Kehillat Israel in 2010. She was appointed as Senior Rabbi in 2014, where she continues to serve.
She described the 42nd district, which spans from the Palisades to Thousand Oaks and beyond, as a “power district,” so to be chosen from “among all the incredibly talented women” has been a “huge honor.”
Rabbi Bernstein’s philanthropic work at KI includes the Kehillat Israel Tzedakah Teens—which has donated over $400,000 to national and international nonprofits over the past 15 years. KITT is designed to teach teenagers about philanthropy by having boards with 10 members who pick something they value—whether that’s combating animal suffering, working with children to better their lives or the environment.
They then have to come to a consensus and raise money for the causes. KI matches them dollar for dollar in their donation, with the goal being that the participating teens will “go out and work to make change.”
Rabbi Bernstein, who shared that she has been an out lesbian since she was 16 years old and is now 58, said that she grew up “not trusting or believing someone who was out could really be in leadership” in the mainstream community.
“It’s incredibly hopeful to me that we’re moving in the right direction,” Rabbi Bernstein shared, adding that she does not take the honor of Woman of the Year for granted “on any level.”
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