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