Bessie Gotsfeld (1888-1962) was the inspired leader and founder of the Mizrachi Woman's Organization of America (MWOA). Gotsfeld abandoned a comfortable life in New York to live in Mandatory Palestine and conduct the MWOA's business. Gotsfeld was driven by a fervent dedication to Orthodox Zionism and modern education, especially for girls. Her innovations included the establishment of three vocational schools for adolescent girls and two large farm villages that offered religious instruction to girls and boys on an equal basis. Every step of Gotsfeld's journey and leadership involved a struggle. To realize her goals, she had to hold her ground against Mizrachi men and women and centrists Zionists, such as Henrietta Szold. Organizational independence was crucial to Gotsfeld. The fundraising mechanism she set up in New York and her management of resources in Mandatory Palestine and Israel made the MWOA the most successful part of the Mizrachi movement. Through her leadership, she advanced the cause of religious Zionism in the United States and Israel.

Part 1 Preface Chapter 2 Introduction: Female Leadership in American Zionism Chapter 3 Born for Leadership Chapter 4 Bet Zeirot Mizrachi, Jerusalem, 1933-1935 Chapter 5 Challenges and New Opportunities: Youth Aliyah and a New School, 1933-1935 Chapter 6 Facing Competition, 1935-1936 Chapter 7 "Never a Rubber Stamp" 1936-1939 Chapter 8 Wartime Propaganda, Peaceful Activities, 1939-1942 Chapter 9 The Children of Teheran Chapter 10 Wartime Expansion, 1943-1945 Chapter 11 Post-war Pressures and Accomplishments, 1945-1947 Chapter 12 A Climactic Year, 1947-1948 Chapter 13 Final Years Chapter 14 Personality and Principles Chapter 15 Female Leadership and Empowerment Part 16 Appendix: Two Important Speeches Part 17 Endnotes Part 18 Index Part 19 About the Author