"If there is a glass ceiling, then it should be broken and breached. That's what it was meant for" - with this attitude Helen Mazuz, an ultra-Orthodox woman from the city of Ra'anana was elected in yesterday's elections to serve as a member of the city council.
"If we are good enough to be selected, we are surely good enough to be selected as well."
Although the voice of women in ultra-Orthodox society is not often heard in the public arena, she has been engaged in social and political activities for years.
Helen Mazuz (35) from Raanana is married and the mother of 8 children.
She has a bachelor's degree in administration, government and law and these days is also a student for a master's degree in business administration.
When she was 18, the disengagement plan for the evacuation of Gush Katif settlements was carried out, an event that led her to join the ranks of the Likud party as an activist out of a desire to take part and influence what is happening in the country.
Helen Mazuz Ra'anana/Official website, Yaron Garzon
"Opinions regarding my work were very divided," Mazuz shared.
"There was a community that really supported me and many women who cheered me on and said that I strengthened them and gave them strength and inspiration. There were also communities that liked the idea less."
Later, she initiated the establishment of a lobby in the Knesset for immigrants and French speakers, within the framework of which she promoted legislation concerning the absorption of new immigrants.
She ran for Ra'anana City Council as number two in the religious faction "Ba'amuna" which includes ultra-Orthodox, religious and traditional candidates.
"It was important for me to come and make a different voice here and really represent a public that I think is not represented in the council today," Mazuz shared.
"I was approached by several different parties in the city who heard about my work and the things I do. There was an ultra-Orthodox list that contested here in Ra'anana, but I did not have the opportunity to run on that list because I am a woman. So even though I feel more belonging to the community and to another list, I did not have Actually this possibility and I would have had to run on a religious list but not an ultra-Orthodox one."
"I'm not here to represent only the ultra-orthodox sector," claims Mazuz.
"I am first of all a Jewish woman, a religious woman, a believing woman, and it is important for me to come and represent everyone."
Mazuz believes that she brings with her a unique voice regarding the controversies regarding religion and state relations.
"There are many conflicts between religious and secular people. There is a lot of discussion about the status quo, public transportation on Shabbat and the opening of shops on Shabbat in the city center," said Mazuz.
"I believe that there should be a different leadership, a respectful, unifying, non-divisive leadership and I do believe that I can come and do it in the best way because I know both the other world and the ultra-Orthodox world and I understand them and the need that arises."
"Inspiration for other cities"
Mezuz is full of hope that in the future more ultra-Orthodox women will be involved in social activities.
"I think that it is precisely in cities that are involved like in Ra'anana and not distinctly ultra-Orthodox cities that this is where it grows, this is where it starts and I believe that they will see that women can lead and lead and do good things and maybe they will also take inspiration from this for other cities," said Mazuz.
"I am the mother of 6 daughters and when I started this race I first saw them. What an inspiration I give them and what I leave them with. They see my work and say 'Mom is amazing and what a beauty' and are so happy that I was chosen. The fact that there is a woman on the list- It strengthens them and therefore strengthens me. It is clear to me that I am doing something that is good."
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