Monday marked the start of Purim, the Jewish holiday that celebrates the saving of Jews in ancient Persia. It’s also a story of female empowerment, a holiday perfect for Women’s History Month. To mark the occasion, Rabbi Mira Rivera, a Filipina-American Rabbi-in-Residence at the JCC in Harlem, joined News All Day. 

Rabbi Rivera says that Purim is also a story of redemption and of being proudly Jewish. She converted to Judaism after being called to it and studying further.

Rivera notes that being a rabbi of color means that she cannot hide. She says that she prays that more people of color will go to rabbinical school, learn the traditions, and embody the text.

For more information, go to JCCHarlem.org.