Jewish Women in America: An Historical Encyclopedia (2 Volume Set) [Hardcover]

Paula E. Hyman (Editor), Deborah Dash Moore (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0415919363 | ISBN-13: 978-0415919364 | Publication Date: November 5, 1997 | Edition: First

This encyclopedia provides the first standard reference work on the lives, history and activities of Jewish women in the United States. Covering a period which extends from the arrival of the first Jewish women in North America in 1654 to the present, this two-volume set presents the most comprehensive and detailed portrait of American Jewish women ever published, and brings together for the first time the wealth of recent scholarship on this subject. Includes: * biographical entries on over 800 individual women * 128 topical articles on organizations such as Hadassah, the National Council of Jewish Women, Mizrachi, and the Ladies' Garment Workers' Union * major essays on Jewish women's participation in the movement for women's suffrage, social reform, civil rights, and the recent women's movement * the activities of Jewish women in politics, business, education, the arts, and religion * a readable, inviting format with over 500 large photographs * bibliographies at the end of each entry which include overviews of major scholarship in the field, complete citations of more general works and citations of additional bibliographical and reference sources * the comprehensive index includes citations to every substantive discussion in the entries as well as all proper names appearing in the text, such as organizations, book, song and film titles, schools, and individuals. The Encyclopedia provides information on American Jewish women in all fields of endeavour, and pays special attention to the work of women in the arts, academia, law, the labour movement, education, science, medicine, journalism and publishing, and on the lives of ordinary Jewish women during all time periods and in all regions of the United States.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Hyman (modern Jewish history, Yale) and Moore (history, Vassar) have put together a primarily biographical encyclopedia of American Jewish women. Their book contains 800 entries on women from all fields who lived from 1654 (when the first Jewish woman arrived in America) to the present and 110 topical essays about various organizations and subjects ranging from education to politics to the arts. Each biographical entry includes both an essay and a bibliography. In addition, the book has an alphabetical listing of entries, a classified list of biographical entries by type (activists, lawyers, nurses, etc.), a helpful annotated bibliography of archival resources, and an in-depth index. While various books on the American Jewish woman are currently available (e.g., The Journey Home: Jewish Women and the American Century, LJ 4/1/97; Celebrating the Lives of Jewish Women, LJ 1/98), this one provides a good biographical and encyclopedic reference approach to the subject and is an excellent biographical source. Recommended for larger libraries as a complement to women's studies, Jewish history, biography, and American history collections.?Mary F. Salony, West Virginia Northern Community Coll. Lib., Wheeling
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Until recently, women's contributions to history have been ignored. This is especially true of Jewish history. Jewish Women in America: An Historical Encyclopedia is a unique work that examines the contributions of Jewish women to American society. The editors, professors of history, and the contributors, whose credentials are listed in the appendixes, have academic appointments. They have created a source that shows the diversity of Jewish women's lives in the U.S.

This work contains more than 800 biographies and 110 topical essays. All are signed, and all have brief bibliographies. Biographies of authors also have lists of selected works. Women included are, for the most part, deceased or over the age of 60. They are either women born and educated in the U.S. or immigrants who had careers here. They had at least one Jewish parent or converted to Judaism and identified themselves as Jews.

The biographies include women from all walks of life. Hannah Arendt, Emma Goldman, Bette Midler, Gertrude Stein, and Rosalyn Yalow are just a few of the fascinating women profiled in this source. The articles present a balanced view of the subjects. The biography of Golda Meir notes both her political accomplishments and the fact that she had no interest in women's issues. Topical articles include organizations (Hadassah, National Federation of Temple Sisterhoods), religious institutions and concepts (Orthodox Judaism, mikvah), academic disciplines (art, children's literature), historical events and movements (Triangle Shirtwaist fire, civil rights movement), and social groups and concepts (Hasidic women, assimilation). The text is well illustrated with black-and-white photographs. An extensive annotated bibliography and guide to archival resources provide access to more detailed information. In addition to a general index, there is a classified index to biographical entries so that users can search for actresses, writers, painters, rabbis, and even anarchists or librarians.

This is a very interesting encyclopedia that fills an obvious gap in reference collections. Academic libraries, Judaica and women's studies collections, and large public libraries where there is interest will want Jewish Women in America on their shelves.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 1770 pages
• Publisher: Routledge; First edition (November 5, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0415919363
• ISBN-13: 978-0415919364
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 8.9 x 3.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,750,152 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An amazing project, December 13, 1999

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Amy Whinston - See all my reviews

This review is from: Jewish Women in America: An Historical Encyclopedia (2 Volume Set) (Hardcover)

This was an amazing bat mitzvah gift for my daughter (thanks Eve!) that was just in time to help her with her school report on Henrietta Szold. It is causing problems for me, however; this is the second night I've stayed up late reading it, even though I need my sleep. On the other hand, I now know a lot more about Gilda Radner, Judy Blume, Letty Cottin Pogrebin, Golda Meir, the Triangle Shirtwaist fire, Rosalyn Yalow, Molly Picon, Lilith (the magazine), Roseanne, how Jewish women are portayed on television, Jewish women in popular fiction.... This is an amzing project, and a fantastic set of books. I highly recommend this set to anyone who is considering it enough to be reading this.