Happening
Groups and Projects
A group of sociologists and historians have begun a research project on Jewish immigrant women from Eastern Europe who came to this country prior to 1927, aged 13 or older.
While there exists a magnificent literature about this great migration, much of what has been written is seen through the eyes of the second and third generations, and most of it has been written by and about men.
The group would appreciate help in locating women who can tell them about their life experiences, joys, sorrows, struggles, dreams, and the reality of their daily lives, who were old enough when they came to know what they were leaving behind, and why it was necessary to leave. The group will visit the interviewees in their homes, or wherever it is convenient for them, and conduct taped interviews. AH of the information will be absolutely confidential, in that a person’s name will not be connected with her story.
Any woman who would like to be interviewed should call the project office at (516) 246-8662 or (516) 246-8638 and ask for Lila Nadel or Brenda Hoke, or write:
World of Our Mothers Research Project
Sociology Department
State University of New York
at Stony Brook
Stony Brook, NY 11794
Also, mature women who understand Yiddish are needed for conducting taped interviews with Jewish immigrant women in the NYC area. $35/interview (approx. 6 hrs.) Contact:
World of Our Mothers, SUNY, (516) 246-8662, Gladys Rothbell.
Oranim, the kibbutz movement’s school of education, is producing a kit of materials of all kinds for high school students and teachers on equal options for females and males in society, scheduled for publication in July, 1984. The project is the first of its kind in Israel, and its participants hope the material will become part of the Israeli school curriculum. They seek material on “equal options as related to Judaism”, including on non-sexist learning activities in Jewish Studies; plus general material. For more information on the project:
Dr. Shoshanna Ben Tsvi-Mayer
Oranim
PO Kiryat Tivon, Israel
An umbrella group for women’s prayer groups, study groups and minyans maintains listings of such groups across the continent. Sponsors of a conference last June in New York on “Women, Prayer and Tradition,” the Task Force represents both Orthodox women who want to expand women’s participation within the strictures of Jewish law, and those women who are seeking full equality for Jewish women in prayer and liturgy.
Task Force on Jewish Women
Box 1062
Teaneck NJ 07666
A new feminist speakers bureau, Batya Bauman Enterprises: Program/Lecture Services, has been launched and will concentrate on feminism and Judaism. The women who are represented are women who will carry messages reflecting not only feminist awareness, but also a commitment to Jewish survival.
Batya Bauman Enterprises
Program Lecture Services
P.O.B. 694,
Cathedral Station
New York, NY 10025
(212) 866-6422
The Feminist Theological Institute Inc. is an interdenominational organization for all feminists interested in theology and religion. For more information, write:
Judith Plaskow
Feminist Theological Institute
64-53 Bell Boulevard
Bayside, N.Y. 11364
Jewish Day Care
The Philadelphia chapter of the American Jewish Committee’s subcommittee on the status of women has conducted a study on the need for, and problems associated with, Jewish day care programs. For copies write:
George M. Ross, President
Robert A. Fox, Chairman of the Board
Philadelphia Chapter, AJC
411 Walnut Street
Philadelphia, PA
(215) 564-2460
Stephen Wise Free Synagogue Day Care
Center
30 W 68 St.
New York, NY 10023
Parenting Center
Family Day Care Network
92 Street Y
1395 Lexington Ave
New York, NY 10028
Yaldenu Jewish Day Care Center
Temple Ansche Chesed
West End Ave at 100 Street
New York, NY 10025
Day Care Center for Jewish Community Workers
c/o National Council of Jewish Women
New York Section
9 E. 69 St.
New York, NY 10021
Books and Publications
The Jewish Women’s Studies Guide, compiled by Ellen Sue Levi Elwell and Edward Levenson, features fifteen Jewish women’s syllabi and bibliographies, divided into three basic categories: “University Courses on Jewish Women,” “Integrating Jewish Women into the University Curriculum,” and “Adult and Continuing Education Courses.” The Guide is available for $6.95.
Biblio Press
POB 22
Fresh Meadows, NY 11365
“Jewish Women: A Mini-Course for Jewish Schools” by Sandy Eisenberg Sasso and Ellen Sue Levi Elwell, is a 12-hour course designed for grades 7-12 and adults. It is available, in a package of 20 copies plus a leader’s guide, for $30.00, from:
Alternatives in Religious Education, Inc.
3945 So. Oneida St.
Denver, CO. 80237
Gisi Fleischman and the Jewish Fight for Survival by Joan Campion tells the fascinating story of a Slovakian woman whose efforts helped save thousands of Jews during the Holocaust. Copies can be obtained at $11.95 each, from:
Dvorion Books
508 Fifth Ave.
Bethlehem, PA 18018
“Program Information Exchange: Innovative Services for the Elderly,” published by the Council of Jewish Federations, contains descriptions of nine wide-ranging programs to help the elderly, including such topics as: living arrangements, dental care and emergency medical assistance. For more information, contact:
Joan Fuld, Planning Consultant
Council of Jewish Federations
575 Lexington Ave
New York, NY 10022
We are editing an anthology of work by Jewish feminists and proto-feminists (pro-women, even if the authors did/do not identify as feminists). We want this anthology to represent the true diversity and range of Jewish women, of all classes, cultures, racial and political backgrounds.
ANTHOLOGY
P.O. Box 128
New Lebanon, NY 12125
A number of matted 8″xl0″ color prints from Psalmist With a Camera, a book of photographs by Gail Rubin are now available, singly or as a set. They are “Spoonbills”, “Mustard Flowers,” “Hula Waterscape” (reproduced above) and “Eucalyptus Treebark.” Rubin is the American Jewish photographer killed in a terrorist attack in Israel in 1978. The photographs were originally exhibited, with their texts, at the Jewish Museum of New York. For more information contact:
Photographs by Gail Rubin
1016 Fifth Ave.
New York, N.Y. 10028
Help for Battered Jewish Women
Shiloh Hotline
POB 6031
North Hollywood, CA 91603
(213) 784-6894
A kosher shelter serving the New York area is:
Transition Center
(212) 327-7660
SOVRI (Support for Orthodox Victims of Rape and Incest) can be reached through the:
Victims Services Agency
54 Nagle Street
New York, NY 10040
(212) 567-5008
While the Haifa Shelter for Battered Women has assisted hundreds of battered women in Israel, many battered women remain homeless. The Shelter has therefore established a Housing Fund. Please send earmarked contributions to:
P.E.F., Israel Endowment Fund, Inc.
342 Madison Ave., Suite 1010
New York, N.Y. 10173
