Women of Valor
600,000 Haredi women are unrepresented in the Knesset. Meet the women fighting to change that.
As the Israeli election season ramps up, our DocuNation series of outstanding Israeli documentary films continues with ‘Women of Valor,’ a film about the Haredi women fighting for representation in the Knesset.
The film will be available exclusively for members of our reader support group, The Times of Israel Community, to stream October 8-15.
Women of Valor
2021 | 77 Minutes | Directed by Anna Somershaf | October 8-15, 2026
In the Haredi community, a woman’s obligation is to marry and bear children, and oftentimes serve as primary breadwinner while her husband studies religious texts. Haredi political parties in Israel forbid women to seek public office. Fed up with the status quo, Esty Shushan is fighting to change that. She co-founds a nonprofit, Nivcharot, calling for representation of Orthodox women in the Knesset — taking their case to the UN women’s rights committee and the Israeli Supreme Court.
To prepare the next generation for leadership roles, Nivcharot establishes a program to mentor young women and get the first female name on the ballot. But change comes with a cost, as Esty’s activism brings threats, suspicion and online harassment. Ostracized as a “fake Haredi,” she must reconcile deep-rooted frustration over ultra-Orthodox life with her efforts to bring the silent voices of women to the center of Israeli discourse.
Watch the trailer:
‘Women of Valor’ is available exclusively for members of The Times of Israel Community as a part of our ongoing collaboration with DocuNation.
About DocuNation for the ToI Community
DocuNation provides outstanding Israeli documentary films for you to stream online from the comfort of your home. The films, plus follow-up live discussions with the filmmakers themselves, are available for a week at a time — exclusively for members of our reader support group, The Times of Israel Community.
All of the funds earmarked for this project go directly to Israeli documentary filmmakers at this difficult time when they’re encountering global cultural boycotts.
DocuNation allows Times of Israel Community members to enjoy two award-winning Israeli documentary films with English subtitles each month.
Already a ToI Community member? Click below to access the DocuNation films:
All of the funds earmarked for this project go directly to Israeli documentary filmmakers at this difficult time when they’re encountering global cultural boycotts.
For DocuNation, we’re collaborating with renowned documentary filmmaker Yonatan Nir, who hosts the discussions with the filmmakers.
How it works
Each film — with English subtitles — will be available to watch for seven days. On that Sunday, you can join our live English webinar with the filmmaker. We will send out a reminder for each event.
‘There Is No Other Place’ will be available to stream October 8-15. The live Q&A hosted by Yonatan Nir will take place on October 11 at 6 PM (Israel time) /11 AM (Eastern Time) with director Anna Somershaf.
Upcoming Films
- Does the series cost money?
Nope, the series is included in your ToI Community membership – there is no additional cost. If you still need to sign up for the ToI Community, our reader support group, click here. - Where can I see other upcoming DocuNation films?
You can check out upcoming films here. - How long is each film?
Each film is between 50 and 90 minutes. Each live discussion with filmmakers will be around an hour. - If I sign up for the ToI Community can I access previous films and discussions?
You can only watch the films during the 7-day period scheduled for each. We do, however, record every webinar discussion with the filmmakers, which you can watch at your convenience, even if you sign up after streaming for a film has ended. - Where can I send any questions for DocuNation?
We are happy to answer any additional questions you may have. Just email us.