Synopses & Reviews
Born at the dawn of the twentieth century in a poor Jewish neighborhood in Berlin, Regina Jonas became the first ordained woman rabbi in the history of Judaism. Her brutal death at the hands of the Nazis at Auschwitz in 1944 might have forever obscured her compelling story if a collection of her personal documents had not been discovered after the collapse of the Berlin Wall. Now author, Judaic scholar, and feminist Elisa Klapheck has written the biography of this exceptional and courageous woman after years of studying Jonass papers and recreating her dramatic life story.
Fräulein Rabbiner Jonas tells the moving story of the woman who inspired a new kind of progressive female participation in the Jewish religion. Biographer Elisa Klapheck shows how Jonas overcame formidable resistance and obstacles from conventional Orthodox Jewish institutions to become the first female rabbi. The book includes the text of Jonass definitive treatise on why women can indeed become rabbis, which is based on sound scripture from the Hebrew Bible, the Talmud, and other precedents in Jewish halachic law, rabbinic commentary, and Jewish practice. After her ordination in 1935, Jonas spent the remaining years of her life ministering to the abused and terrified German Jewish community as the Nazis rapidly restricted the Jews and robbed them of their property, identity, and social privilege, forcing them into hard labor, poverty, and ultimately death camps.
This moving portrayal of her life reveals Fräulein Rabbiner Jonas as a humorous and passionate woman who was deeply beloved by all she served during the terminal crisis of their lives.
Fräulein Rabbiner Jonas also captures Jonass more private struggles such as her love affair with an older rabbi. This book provides a wonderful historical record of her life and times and is filled with photos, documents, and letters that bring to life this fascinating and heroic woman.
Review
“Rabbi Elisa Klapheck has recovered for us a vital gem in the history of female ordination. An exciting read! To follow Regina Jonas as she negotiated with the patriarchal system is a surprise and delight for the soul.”--Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi, author,
Wrapped in a Holy Flame: Teachings and Tales of the Hasidic Masters“A most intriguing story both about Jonas herself and Klapheck finding Jonas; the documents, many of which were reproduced for this volume, are riveting historical artifacts. This volume engenders admiration for a woman who had the inner strength to seek ordination when her social and religious milieu adamantly opposed leadership roles for women. This research pushes the beginnings of Jewish feminism, which is considered by most to have started in the United States in the 1970s, back to Germany in the 1930s.”--Judith Hauptman, E. Billi Ivry Professor of Talmud and Rabbinic Culture and author, Rereading the Rabbis, a Woman's Voice
Synopsis
1. Great story of heroic woman overcoming great odds to become first female rabbi.
2. Tragic biography of holocaust victim who tried to bring uplifting faith and spirituality to her community during its rapid destruction, and who herself was murdered at Auschwitz by the Nazis.
3. Important work of religious and feminist history, as well as WWII history.
1. Fits perfectly in our expanding Jewish interest agenda, balancing faith-based spirituality with a fascinating and deeply moving story of heroism during the persecution of the Jews in World War II (as with The Inextinguishable Symphony).
2. Great title for women, feminists, students and teachers of Jewish history, feminist studies, history of WWII.
Synopsis
The life of Regina Jones, the first female rabbi, born in 1902 in a very poor Jewish neighborhood in Berlin and murdered by the Nazis in Auschwitz in 1942 was brief and spectacular. Since her death she has remained a legend with not very much known about her life and work until Elisa Klapheck wrote this book. Expanding upon her original edition which caused a sensation when it was published in Germany, Klapheck assembles an invaluable collection of biographical and autobiographical writing, letters, photos, and other fascinating and inspiring historical documents from the Jonas’ life.
Synopsis
"Rabbi Elisa Klapheck has recovered for us a vital gem in the history of female ordination. An exciting read! To follow Regina Jonas as she negotiated with the patriarchal system is a surprise and delight for the soul."
Rabbi Zalman SchachterShalomi, author, Wrapped in a Holy Flame: Teachings and Tales of the Hasidic Masters
"A most intriguing story both about Jonas herself and Klapheck finding Jonas; the documents, many of which were reproduced for this volume, are riveting historical artifacts. This volume engenders admiration for a woman who had the inner strength to seek ordination when her social and religious milieu adamantly opposed leadership roles for women. This research pushes the beginnings of Jewish feminism, which is considered by most to have started in the United States in the 1970s, back to Germany in the 1930s."
Judith Hauptman, E. Billi Ivry Professor of Talmud and Rabbinic Culture; author, Rereading the Rabbis, a Womans Voice
Synopsis
Fraulein Rabbiner Jonas tells the moving story of the woman who inspired a new kind of progressive female participation in the Jewish religion. Biographer Elisa Klapheck shows how Jonas overcame formidable resistance and obstacles from conventional orthodox Jewish institutions to become the first female rabbi. The book includes the text of Jonas’s definitive treatise on why women can indeed become rabbis, which is based on sound scripture from the Hebrew Bible, the Talmud, and other precedents in Jewish halachic law, rabbinic commentary, and Jewish practice. After her ordination in 1935, Jonas spent the remaining years of her life ministering to the abused and terrified German Jewish community as the Nazis rapidly restricted and robbed it of property, identity, and social privilege, forcing the Jews into hard labor, poverty, and ultimately death camps. This moving portrayal of her life reveals Regina Jonas as a humorous and passionate woman who was deeply beloved by all she served during the terminal crisis of their lives.
About the Author
Elisa Klapheck is an ordained rabbi in Berlin, Germany. For many years Klapheck also worked as a journalist for major German newspapers, radio, and TV and was formerly the editor-in-chief of Berlins Jewish monthly jüdisches berlin [Jewish Berlin].
Table of Contents
List of Photos and Translations.
Foreword (Hermann Simon).
Acknowledgments.
PART ONE.
My Journey Toward Regina Jonas.
The Story of Regina Jonas.
PART TWO.
Preliminary Notes: On the Halachic Treatise of Regina Jonas.
Halachic Treatise: Can Women Serve As Rabbis? (Regina Jonas).
Glossary.
Structure of the Talmud (According to Maimonides).
Additional Halachic Compendia and Commentaries.
The Author.
Name Index.
Subject Index.