JEWISH INTEREST
How Jewish women have led the way in America Join us at the Book Festival on March 30 as Pamela Nadell weaves together the stories of a diverse group of extraordinary women. In the meantime, enjoy this review of America’s Jewish Women. By Carole J Greene, JBF Committee Member
I
n the late 18th century, the Jewish community in America was tiny — about 2,500 souls — and diverse. In her book, America’s Jewish Women: A History from Colonial Times to Today, author Pamela S. Nadell tells us that they came from western Europe, the West Indies and the British Colonies. They gravitated to the major seaports of the time: New York, Newport, Philadelphia, Savannah, and Charleston, where they enjoyed a “remarkable degree of toleration and diversity.” During that time, upper class Jewesses — as Jewish women were called — had servants, hosted debutante balls, worked in business, founded women’s clubs, wrote influential newspaper columns, and made Jewish homes in a predominantly Christian culture. The lives of these women were consumed with the same chores as their Christian neighbors: they spun wool, wove, sewed, knitted, made candles and soap, churned butter and made cheese, cooked, cleaned, and laundered. But on Shabbat, the differences were apparent as Jewish women brought out their best tablecloths and dishes, lit candles in treasured candlesticks lovingly brought from their native homes, and prepared traditional Shabbat meals. Nadell introduces Grace Nathan (1752-1831), the great-grandmother of Emma Lazarus, whose famous poem graces the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty: “Give me your tired, your poor . . .” While Nathan represents the past, Lazarus, who is two generations later, exemplifies the 150,000 Jews who emigrated from Central Europe between 1820 and 1880 and found success in the New World. Lazarus also saw the wave of millions of Jews fleeing to the U.S. from Tsarist Russia. These new immigrants often lived in poverty, many working in the needle crafts. Nadell details the labor reforms spearheaded by Jewish women to raise the pay and provide greater safety for workers
in the garment industry, 95% of whom were women. According to Nadell, American Jewesses “pushed open new byways into charity and philanthropy, synagogues, and Zionism.” An army of Jewish women battled with the 3 Ds — dirt, discomfort, disease. They founded women’s groups, some of which, namely National Council of Jewish Women and Hadassah, still thrive today. Nadell’s examination of American Jewish women touches on all elements of life. She chronicles the evolution of synagogue dicta to allow a girl to become a bat mitzvah and even choose a career as a cantor or rabbi; she explains changes in marriage and divorce statistics, and the rise of interfaith marriage. As contraception became available and, much later, legal, Jewish women had fewer children and focused on matters outside the home. In the decades since World War II, America’s Jewish women have increasingly combined family life with professional careers. Nadell traces the trajectory of early pioneers like Grace Nathan; Bessie Hillman, activist and suffragette; Golda Meir, prime minister of Israel; and Henrietta Szold, founder of Hadassah, to the fame of such 20th- and 21st-century luminaries as Bess Myerson, first Jewish Miss America; Gloria Steinem, founder of Ms magazine; Carole King, singer and songwriter; Dr. Joyce Brothers, quiz show prize winner, author, and columnist; Betty Friedan, journalist, activist, and author of the groundbreaking The Feminine Mystique; Ruth Handler, co-founder of Mattel Toy Company and inventor of the Barbie and Ken dolls; Bella Abzug, activist and Congresswoman; Ruth Bader Ginsburg, law professor, litigator, and Supreme Court Justice. Nadell’s impressive research is apparent on every page as she winds her way through four centuries of Jewish women in America whose activism has been writ large upon the scroll of this nation’s history.
8TH ANNUAL
21
Federation Star
March 2021
GONE VIRTUAL!
ENJOY THESE FOUR POWERFUL FILMS IN THE COMFORT OF YOUR OWN HOME FOR THE WEEKEND NOTED FEB 26-27-28 THEY AIN’T READY FOR ME
Sponsored by KAYE LIFESTYLE HOMES This timely and moving documentary showcases a Black, female rabbinical student and rockstar, Tamar Manasseh, who sits on a corner every day in one of the worst parts of Chicago restoring family and community values. Join us for a discussion with Tamar and the film’s director, Brad Rothschild, on Tuesday, March 2.
MARCH 5-6-7 THE CROSSING
Sponsored by MONDO UOMO FINE MENSWEAR In December 1942, young Jews Sarah and Daniel are hiding in the basement of Otto and Gerda’s family. They are discovered, the parents are arrested, and the four children flee. Some will help them… but who can they trust? This exciting tale of trust, courage and friendship is told from a new, young perspective.
MARCH 12-13-14 BROKEN MIRRORS
Sponsored by PREMIER SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIONAL REALTY Shira Haas won a 2019 Festival du Cinéma Israelién de Montréal Best Actress Award for her role. When teenaged Ariela commits a grave error, her strict military father has her seek her own punishment… where she discovers a secret to her father’s past.
MARCH 19-20-21 A STARRY SKY ABOVE THE ROMAN GHETTO
Sponsored by HARVEY ROSENTHAL, Friend of the Festival Enjoy the cinematography of Italy with a fantastic soundtrack! This story intertwines the past and present as a mysterious old photograph of a little girl leads Jewish and Christian students on a search for the truth. Together they learn the powerful lesson that sometimes indifference is worse than hate.
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America’s Jewish Women: A History from Colonial Times to Today By Pamela S. Nadell
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Pamela S. Nadell is a renowned scholar and professor as well as the recipient of American University’s highest faculty award, Scholar/Teacher of the Year. Her research focuses on American Jewish history. America’s Jewish Women is the winner of the National Jewish Book Award – Jewish Book of the Year.
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