Hear Her Voice! Twelve Jewish Women Who Changed The World is an extraordinary collection of biographies showcasing both biblical Jewish leaders and modern, well-known Jewish personalities.
Each of the women described in this book is unique in the way she was influenced by her family, by her environment, and by the way she chose to react to those influences.
Each of these women lived a life rich in Jewish values, while remaining free to pursue her cherished dreams.
And each of these women left her mark, not only on the course of Jewish history, but on the world stage, adding her special contribution to the lives of those around her.
At the end of each biography there is a section with thought-provoking questions, project ideas, and additional resources, including books and websites, for further learning and research about these influential Jewish role models.
The twelve women featured in the book include:
DEBORAH • Judge, Prophetess and Military Leader
ESTHER • The Queen Who Saved Her People
DOÑA GRACIA NASI • Stateswoman on Behalf of Jews and Judaism
GLÜCKEL OF HAMELN • Model of Highest Business Ethics and Jewish Values
REBECCA GRATZ • Early American Pioneer in Jewish Education
HANNAH SZENES • Poetess Turned Freedom Fighter
REBECCA REUBEN • Beloved Teacher and Community Leader
GOLDA MEIR • Political Fighter for Her People’s Existence
ANNA TICHO • Artist Who Captured the Spirit of Jerusalem on Canvas
NAOMI SHEMER • First Lady of Israeli Music
RUTH BADER GINSBURG • Quiet Strength, Gentle Power in America’s Highest Court
ABBY JOSEPH COHEN • Trailblazer in the World of Finance
Miriam Polokoff Feinberg Miriam was born in Poughkeepsie, New York, and has lived most of her life in the Greater Washington, DC area. Her education includes a BA from Hunter College, an MA from the Baltimore Hebrew College, and a PhD from the University of Maryland. She spent many years teaching children of all ages, as well as parents and teachers. She enjoyed a long career as Director of the Early Childhood Department of the Board of Jewish Education of Greater Washington, DC, and taught in the Graduate Schools of Education of the Baltimore Hebrew University and Gratz College. She also served as a teacher trainer for educators associated with Save The Children and UNICEF in Thailand, Sri Lanka, Vietnam and India for several years. Dr. Feinberg has published several curriculum books for teachers, storybooks for children, and numerous articles on teacher and parent education. Miriam and her husband Mordecai always enjoyed spending time with their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren in Israel and the United States. Since her beloved husband's death, she continues to travel for visits with her dear family.
Born in Springfield Massachusetts and raised in Buffalo, New York, Miriam lived in White Plains New York for the greater part of her life. She was the daughter of Rabbi Isaac Klein, a leading Conservative Rabbi and his wife, Henrietta, a Conservative movement lay leader and educator. Dr. Shapiro received bachelor degrees from Barnard College and the Jewish Theological Seminary of America, a master's degree in Social Work from Columbia University and a doctorate in Bible Studies from the Jewish Theological Seminary. She taught at the State University of New York and the Academy for Jewish Religion. She also served as a Hebrew school teacher, day school principal, Board of Jewish Education curriculum specialist and Director of Education at Camp Ramah in the Berkshires. She held many key lay positions for the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism and the Union for Traditional Judaism. She received numerous honors and awards and published many scholarly articles throughout her lifetime. Her deep love of Israel was expressed in her frequent trips to Jerusalem where she and her husband Saul enjoyed their second home. She was grateful for her long marriage to Saul and for their five children, children-in-law and nine grandchildren.
