Baby Maayan’s Office at the Knesset
Israel’s Assistant Minister of Transportation Tsippy Hotovelli (Likud) is one of a growing number of religious women who are Knesset members. Two years ago she married Or Elon and last spring she gave birth to her first child, a daughter named Maayan.
When Tsippy returned to the Knesset from her maternity leave this past summer, she asked special permission from the chairman of the Knesset to bring Maayan, along with her babysitter, to the Knesset for a period of 2 months.
Tsippy explained her unprecedented decision to Pnima Magazine, “It was clear to me that going from 100% mother at home to 100% politician would be too drastic of a transition. I also wanted to continue nursing… So I made Maayan a room at the Knesset, and the chairman supported the idea. During that period, I didn’t have meetings related to work in my office, it became just my room. It was a very good decision…
Tsippy at her wedding to Or Elon
Tsippy at the Knesset
Knesset members from the Right as well as the Left came to visit the Knesset’s new “nursery” and to wish Tsippy “Mazal tov.”
When the two months ended, Tsippy’s mother, a babysitter by profession, left her job at a daycare center in Rechovot in order to take care of her granddaughter full-time.
Tsippy explains: “[Bringing Maayan to the Knesset] was a public statement that we honor motherhood. To send a message to society that family life is more important than career, and to place family front stage and center. It’s important that people see that…”
What a beautiful article. Thank you! I love hearing about women being supported to be able to fulfill their role as mother as well as working outside the home if that’s what is needed. Really resonated with me as this is one of my personal conflicts. Thanks, CJ!
what an inspiration!