Jewish Girls Coming of Age in America, 1860-1920

Index

Aaronson, Rebecca: “Benderly Boys,” 168; biographical sketch, 264n82; Columbia University , 170 Acculturation: agents of, 233; American Jews, 27–28, 110; anti-Semitism, 102; declining ritual observance, 55, 149, 166, 262n13; desire for, 56–57, 106, 145; dual identity as Jewish and American, 182, 232–233; ease of, 144– 145; education, 47, 74, 81, 106–107; Educational Alliance (New York), 119; freedom to choose beaus and husbands, 232; gender, 84; generation gap as price of, 131; immigrant Jewish girls, 81; intermarriage, 144–145; of Jews from eastern Europe, 32; libraries, 208; litmus test, 176; piano playing, 199; post-secondary education, 103; religious education, 144–145; secondary education, 103; social class, 109; social prejudices, 102; tradition and, 55, 237; work, 191. See also Americanization Ades, Gertrude (née Mandelbaum). See Mandelbaum , Gertrude Adler, Felix: Franklin (Jennie) and, 23 Adler, Polly: biographical sketch, 246n75; on need for education, 82; role model (a teacher), 49 Adolescence: in American social history, 6; consumption , 191; defined, 2; emergence as a social category, 28–29; ethnicity and religion in, 27; focus on youth culture, 188; in history of youth, 4–5; individuation, 29–30; industrialization , 29–30; migration, 29–30; modernity, 28; popular culture, 191; recognition as a life stage, 191; urbanization, 29–30 Adolescence (Hall), 29 Alcott, Louisa May: model Americans depicted by, 210–211 Allen, Amelia: biographical sketch, 143, 241n8, 242n14, 245n46, 258n65; book list, 208; diary of, 11, 143; dual identity, 143; education , 42, 181; family to, 16; Gratz and, 38, 143; husband-hunting, 201, 221; illnesses, 206; religiosity, 38, 54; skating, 204–205; Young Women’s Union, 123, 124–125 Allen, Anna: normal school, 97 Allen, Anna Marks: granddaughter, 236 Allen, Frances (Fannie): adult years, 235–236; biographical sketch, 242n14, 245n46; diary of, 14, 16; dual identity, 143; education, 42; family to, 16; husband-hunting, 201, 221; illnesses , 206; religiosity, 37 Alternative education, 105–142; acculturation, 119; American Jewish press, 109–115; Americanization , 119, 120, 131–132; community centers, 115–125, 141; concern for Jewish girls’ morality, 137–138; divisiveness of American Jewry, 140–141; evening classes, 125– 129; forms, 107; gender, 117–118, 121, 142; generation gap in Jewish families, 129–132; impact on American Jewry, 140–142; Jewish immigrants in America, 107–108, 115–116, 118; libraries, 208; night schools, 125–129; orphanages, 132–134, 141; recreation rooms, 115–116; social class, 108–109, 140–141, 142; status attainment, 108–109; tzedakah, 108; working-class Jewish girls, 115 American, Sadie: biographical sketch, 260n89; on generation gap in Jewish families, 131; National Council of Jewish Women, 138 American girl culture: acceptance of secondary schools, 75; Americanization, 188, 190; family structure, 188; histories of, 2; Jewish girls, 4, 26, 55–56, 188; middle-class ideal of, 190; model American girl, 188; morality, 190; personal narratives as a window into, 6–7; reading , 206; social class, 188; soundness of body, 202; traditional Jewish girlhood, 190. See also American youth culture American Hebrew: Americanization, 110; Baar, Herman, 150; circulation, 110; mothers’ role in religious education of Jewish girls, 150– 151; “New America, and American Jewish Women” symposium, 53; religious outlook, 23; role models in, 50, 53 American Israelite: circulation, 110; religious education of Jewish girls, 178; religious outlook , 23; role models in, 50; Weretnikow, story about, 236–237 American Jewess: editor, 53, 111; encouragement for “New Woman,” 203–204; founder, 247n86; role models in, 50; sectarianism, 111 “American Jewess” symposium (1889-1890): identity and role of Jewish girls, 19–23; sponsor , 19 American Jewish communities: communities outside New York City, 8–9, 30; personal narratives as a window into, 6–7, 30; role of adolescent girls in, 3, 27–28, 32, 184 295 Index American Jewish press: alternative education, 109–115; Americanization, 110–111, 113– 114; Associated Jewish Press, 110; audience, 110; Bible education, 112; children’s magazines , 112; children’s publications, 112–113; circulation, 110; confirmation notices, 175; issues addressed by, 8; newsletters, 114–115; prayer books for girls, 151; role models in, 47, 50–53, 113; social mobility, 110; syncretization of American and Jewish culture, 110; warnings against girls not learning to do housework, 84; warnings against religious education of Jewish girls, 178; warnings against strangers in the home, 69; woman’s pages, 111; women contributors, 8, 19–20; women’s magazines, 111 American Jewry: “accomplishment,” focus on, 176–177; acculturated Jews, 106, 108, 115; acculturation, 27–28, 110; alternative education ’s impact, 140–142; Americanization, 106, 108, 140, 142; choice of whether or not to honor religious heritage, 238; class...