Polin: Studies in Polish Jewry XVIII: Jewish Women in Eastern Europe (review)

In recent years there has been a fair amount of research and publication on East European Jewish women. Two of the editors of this volume have taken a leading role in the field and have written path-breaking books on the topic. However, many of the studies are scattered, and not all are easily accessible. Therefore, the decision to devote a volume of Polin to the topic of Jewish Women in Eastern Europe was very justified. Not surprisingly, the editors were able to collect some excellent studies that make this book essential reading for both gender issues and East European Jewish history. The authors employ a variety of methodologies and use diverse sources. However, most of the studies can be characterized by a palpable excitement and enthusiasm for the topic, their readers, and most of all—for the subjects of the papers.

In these days of full text and downloads, one can ask: What is the special virtue of a volume like this? In this case, the answer is in the reading. Like certain novels, it is useful to look at the first chapter and the last. In this case, the introduction is a very comprehensive and readable historiographical survey written by the editors of the volume. They made a real effort to integrate the topic of Jewish women in Eastern Europe into both the general literature about women in the past and the literature on the history of Jews in Eastern Europe, and they were quite successful. Hyman and Freeze were able to apply theory without being esoteric, and they made it clear how important it is to consider theory. At the same time, they covered most of the important work done on the field. This article is an ideal starting point for students who want to write or read systematically on the topic. In other words, opening this volume with a survey yielded a major contribution. From this point, it is possible to go to the bibliography of Jewish women in Eastern Europe that closes the section. Prepared by Karen Auerbach, it has sections on memoirs (pp. 273–288), secondary sources (pp. 288–302), and theses (pp. 302–303). The memoirs are all annotated and include topics, places described, and information on the author. The list is very complete and reflects both a great deal of work and a mastery of the literature. Auerbach and the editors who took the trouble to have it prepared deserve credit.

The first article, that of Moshe Rosman, has a rather misleading title. The title is “The History of Jewish Women in Early Modern Poland: An Assessment,” but what it really gives the reader is two fine articles for the price of one. The first part is devoted to a very close and critical analysis of three previously published studies dealing with East European Jewish Women after the early modern period—one of them my own. In this section he analyzes the unstated assumptions behind the different approaches of the authors. Regarding his analysis of my article, I can say that I learned a great deal about what I take for granted by reading his careful examination of my writing, and I think perhaps others would find it useful to see how he uncovers the assumptions that writers are not always aware of. When he deals with the early modern period in the second part of the article he does not present a comprehensive picture—because given the current state of research it is impossible—but he does offer some very suggestive and enlightening insights into the place of Yiddish, power relations, and economic activity of women. He noted (in footnote 1) that he is preparing a broader study on the topic, and hopefully it will appear soon.

It is not clear if it is by plan or by luck, but the articles in the volume not only stand on their own as...