Rukhl Schaechter on "Women in the Shtetl"

A discussion between Forverts editor Rukhl
Schaechter and historian Prof. Sholem
Beinfeld on the topic of the powerful role of the woman
in the Eastern European shtetl.

Schaechter argues women in Jewish traditional life are often
stereotyped as passive and invisible particularly in the public
sphere, while they were in fact highly respected and relied upon
within the family, and, because they were often the primary
breadwinners, they wielded financial power as well. She notes the
matrilineal character of traditional Jewish society and that
Ashkenazi Jewish last names are often based on matriarchal first
names.

This program is part of the Dr. Thomas Zand Forward Event
Series.

Music

Shoshana Ron:Kum Leibke Tantzn (lyrics by Mordkhe
Gebirtig)

Chava Alberstein: Rabeynu Tam (lyrics by Itzik Manger)

Intro instrumental music: DEM HELFANDS TANTS, an
instrumental track from the CD Jeff Warschauer: The Singing
Waltz





Air Date: February 17, 2021