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Remarkable Jewish Women
Highlights lives and achievements of Jewish women famous and obscure in history and today. Perfect for Bat Mitzvah gifts or home/school library!
240 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2002
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May 14, 2012
The most invisible members of society are sometimes among the most interesting.
It is perhaps with this idea in mind that publishers have recently put out books exploring "remarkable" or "thinking" Jewish women, including many fascinating, though almost unknown personalities.
In Remarkable Jewish Women, veteran authors Emily Taitz and Sondra Henry have compiled an encyclopedic tome of interesting women from Biblical to contemporary times. This collection is cleverly organized around intriguing categories such as "Struggling for change," "Pious women: from rebels to rebbes" and "Heroines of the Holocaust." The book is also beautifully laid out, with over 100 photos, diagrams and manuscripts enhancing the text.
Taitz and Henry have succeeded in bringing to life women whose lives we ought to know about. Sara of Yemen, a 6th century poet, warrior and scholar, wrote of the religious battles around her time when Muhammed established Islam, providing a rich testament to the history of that era, and she was murdered by a new Muslim. Wuhsha the Broker, a wealthy and independent woman who lived in 11th century Cairo, was a "rebel in her community" who demonstrates, according to the authors, that "talented women could achieve power and success even in places where women's lives were severely restricted."
Vitke Kempner Kovner of 20th century Poland, was such a woman. One of the leaders of the Hashomer Hatzair youth movement, she left her new home in Palestine in 1941 in order to return to her friends and family in Vilna. Her efforts were vital in bringing a group of partisans to safety in the Rudniki forest, and she played a crucial role as a fighter. She is still alive and lives on Kibbutz Ein HaHoresh.
The book is a welcome addition to Jewish women's history, revealing some worlds of women previously undiscovered.
It is perhaps with this idea in mind that publishers have recently put out books exploring "remarkable" or "thinking" Jewish women, including many fascinating, though almost unknown personalities.
In Remarkable Jewish Women, veteran authors Emily Taitz and Sondra Henry have compiled an encyclopedic tome of interesting women from Biblical to contemporary times. This collection is cleverly organized around intriguing categories such as "Struggling for change," "Pious women: from rebels to rebbes" and "Heroines of the Holocaust." The book is also beautifully laid out, with over 100 photos, diagrams and manuscripts enhancing the text.
Taitz and Henry have succeeded in bringing to life women whose lives we ought to know about. Sara of Yemen, a 6th century poet, warrior and scholar, wrote of the religious battles around her time when Muhammed established Islam, providing a rich testament to the history of that era, and she was murdered by a new Muslim. Wuhsha the Broker, a wealthy and independent woman who lived in 11th century Cairo, was a "rebel in her community" who demonstrates, according to the authors, that "talented women could achieve power and success even in places where women's lives were severely restricted."
Vitke Kempner Kovner of 20th century Poland, was such a woman. One of the leaders of the Hashomer Hatzair youth movement, she left her new home in Palestine in 1941 in order to return to her friends and family in Vilna. Her efforts were vital in bringing a group of partisans to safety in the Rudniki forest, and she played a crucial role as a fighter. She is still alive and lives on Kibbutz Ein HaHoresh.
The book is a welcome addition to Jewish women's history, revealing some worlds of women previously undiscovered.
Displaying 1 of 1 review