The Jps Guide To Jewish Women » (New Edition)

This is an indispensable resource about the role of Jewish women from post-biblical times to the twentieth century. Unique in its approach, it is structured so that each chapter, which is divided into three parts, covers a specific period and geographical area.

The first section of the book contains an overview, explaining how historical events affected Jews in general and Jewish women in particular. This is followed by a section of biographical entries of women of the period whose lives are set in their economic, familial, and cultural backgrounds. The third and last part of each chapter, "The World of Jewish Women," is organized by topic and covers women's activities and interests and how Jewish laws concerning women developed and changed.

This comprehensive work is an easy-to-use sourcebook, synopsizing rich and diverse resources. By examining history and analyzing the dynamics of Jewish law and custom, it illuminates the circumstances of Jewish women's lives and traces the changes that have occurred throughout the centuries. It casts a new and clear light on Jewish women as individuals and sets women firmly within the context of their own cultural and historical periods.

The book contains illustrations, boxed text, extensive endnotes, and indices that list each woman by name. It is ideal for women's groups and study groups as well as students and scholars.

Publishers Weekly

Jewish Publication Society adds a jewel to its JPS Desk Reference series with JPS Guide to Jewish Women: 600 B.C.E. to 1900 C.E., a comprehensive guide edited by Emily Taitz, Sondra Henry and Cheryl Tallan. The scope is sweeping, covering Jewish women from the time of the Babylonian exile to the dawn of the 20th century. The editors do a fine job of sketching each time period, outlining historical realities and how they affected women. The book also takes great pains to include the Jewish experience of both East and West. Each historical section includes short biographical entries on notable women, including some relative unknowns among the familiar names. The design is attractive, with informational boxes and illustrations adding to the book's appeal. Copyright 2003 Cahners Business Information.