Women in Judaism: A Multidisciplinary Journal

Poppaea Sabina, Jewish Sympathies, and the Fire of Rome

Karl E. Baughman — 2015-03-18

The first-century Jewish historian, Josephus, mentioned Nero’s wife, Poppaea Sabina, in two stories in which she supported the integrity and sacredness of the Jewish Temple, and was also involved with the release of imprisoned Jewish priests. She is described as “theosebês” (“a worshipper of God”). Josephus’ use of theosebês has sparked debate over the last few centuries and has led to a variety of interpretations about Poppaea’s connection to Judaism. This paper argues that by examining the actions of Poppaea through the lens of “eclectic religiosity,” much can be learned about her motivations in helping the Jewish people, as well as her possible involvement in protecting the Jewish population in Rome from persecution following the Great Fire of 64 CE.

Russian Dolls: The Polianowski Sisters' Memoirs on Albert Einstein and Ludwig Wittgenstein

Ann Lazarsfeld-Jensen — 2015-03-18

In the 1970s two Russian-born sisters wrote their memoirs of working with Albert Einstein and Ludwig Wittgenstein in long essays published in the trans Atlantic literary journal, Encounter. The intimacy of their experience with both men conflicts with the public image of misogynists given to callous expressions of their prejudice. The Polianowski sisters, Esther and Fania, had suffered the indignities of being born female at the fin de siecle despite the progressive attitude to the education of women in the Ukraine. They were cynical but tolerant of sexual discrimination perhaps because their lives had been torn apart by the greater terror of anti-Semitism that had driven them across Europe. It was their Jewish identity and suffering that inspired some significant intellectuals to befriend them including Dr Redcliffe Salaman, Frances Cornford and Shlomo Bardin, and brought them into the circle of the scholars they married. The Polianowski women were included in academic circles at Cambridge University between the two world wars, and they found meaningful work teaching Russian, and married professors Myer Salaman and Roy Pascal. Using a comparative historical approach to the life and writing of Esther Salaman and Fania Pascal, this article demonstrates that Jewish identity moderated gender bias among significant intellectuals in the 20^th century giving marginalised women a measure of opportunity. However, it was a limited opportunity. The Polianowski women did not achieve the careers they respectively planned in physics and philosophy, and their contribution as writers is not well recognised.

Jewish Intermarriage in American Society: Literature Review

Aviva Gordon — 2015-03-18

As of the 1960s, intermarriage has been the most researched, contentious, and discussed topic of American Jewish family life. Jews, like other ethnic groups, struggle and work hard to find a place in American life, while debating what level of their traditional Jewish heritage is to be maintained. As the tensions and pulls between assimilation and ethnic group loyalty ensue, the greatest debate is the context and impact of intermarriage amongst and between the Orthodox and Reform sections of the Jewish people. On one hand, Orthodox families argue Jewish intermarriage decimates the continuity of the Jewish people. On the other hand, the Reform movement views intermarriage as an opportunity to effectively assimilate within American culture while maintaining a sense of Jewishness. As American life continues to evolve, and as Jews continue to intermarry, the debate for optimal stability, functionality, consistency, and continuity for the American Jewish community will continue.

Shellie Jacobson: An Interpretative Case Study of Her Artists Books

Laura Rachel Fattal — 2015-03-18

Wiener, Nancy H. Beyond Breaking the Glass: A Spiritual Guide to Your Jewish Wedding. New York, NY: CCAR Press, 2012.

Amy Weiss — 2015-03-18

Cohen Lidovsky, Zafrira. “Loosen the Fetters of Thy Tongue, Woman:” The Poetry and Poetics of Yona Wallach. Cincinnati, OH: Hebrew Union College Press, 2003.

Cynthia A. Crane — 2015-03-18

Goldberg, Lea. Selected Poetry and Drama. Poetry selected, translated and with an introduction by Rachel Tzvia Back. Drama translated by T. Carmi. London: The Toby Press, 2005.

Rachel Adelman — 2015-03-19

Tötösy de Zepetnek, Steven, and Louise O. Vasvári, Eds. Comparative Hungarian Cultural Studies. West Lafayette: Purdue UP, 2011.

P. Prayer Elmo Raj — 2015-03-19

Wyshogrod, Diane. Hiding Places: A Mother, a Daughter, an Uncovered Life. Albany: State University of New York Press – Excelsior Editions, 2012.

Luke Devine — 2015-03-19

Rabow, Jerry. The Lost Matriarch: Finding Leah in the Bible and Midrash. Lincoln, NE, and Philadelphia: University of Nebraska Press, and Jewish Publication Society, 2014.

David J. Zucker — 2015-03-19

Rabinian, Dorit. Borderlife, A Novel. Tel Aviv: Am Oved, 2014. [Hebrew]

Nitza Keren — 2015-03-19

Heller, Janet Ruth. Exodus. Cincinnati, OH: WordTech Editions, 2014.

Rhiannon Grant — 2015-03-19

Graetz, Shirley. She Wrote on Clay. Overland Park, KS: Hadley Rillie Books, 2013.

Kristine Garroway — 2015-03-19

Yellin, Tamar. The Genizah at the House of Shepher. London: Toby Press, 2004.

Shoshana Knol — 2015-03-19

Barr Baer, Lois. BioPoesis. [Norfolk, VA:] Poetica, 2014.

Daniela Goldfine — 2015-03-19

Lapid, Shulamit. Valley of Strength. Translated by Philip Simpson. New Milford, CT, USA: The Toby Press, 2009.

Leora Freedman — 2015-03-19

Ofer, Ron, and Yohai Hakak. The Rabbi’s Daughter and the Midwife. Israel: Belfilms, [2009]. 50 min.

David B. Levy — 2015-03-20

Bargaining with God; Speaking in Tongues; The Cut of Diamonds

Carol V. Davis — 2015-03-21

Yael’s Story

Barbara Hantman — 2015-03-21