Big sister. Song leader. Outspoken challenger. Prophet. In her many roles, Miriam is integral to the story of Exodus. Her legacy is complex, dynamic, and hopeful. In 2011, JWA created a video to tell the story of Miriam and honor the Jewish women who, like Miriam, have inspired and enlightened us.

Learn more about the Biblical Miriam in Jewish Women: A Comprehensive Historical Encyclopedia.

Consider incorporating the Miriam's Cup ritual into your seder. (To help plan a fully-inclusive seder, download the JWA Hagaddah, Including Women's Voices, from JewishBoston.com).

For even deeper discussion of Miriam's story and her legacy for Jewish women, check out these posts on Jewesses with Attitude:

• Faith is packing your timbrel
• The confrontational face of Miriam
• They will spit: In the tradition of Miriam, Jewish women will continue to challenge the establishment

Discover women on jwa.org that share Miriam's namesake, and her spirit:

• Miriam Gideon, music educator and composer
• Miriam Waltzer, civil rights activist
• Miriam Goodman, poet
• Miriam Friedlander, NYC Councilwoman and activist
• Miriam Miller, WWII nurse in the Navy Nurse Corps
• Miriam Cohen Glickman, civil rights activist