Books in Review
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American Jewish women's leadership, rabbinic reinterpretation, and feminist spirituality converge in three groundbreaking works that challenge traditional narratives. Baila Round Shargel breaks new ground in Zionist historiography through her biographical study of Bessie Gotsfeld, revealing how female leaders shaped the Mizrachi Women's Organization of America despite institutional resistance. Drawing from interviews, correspondence, and archives, Shargel illuminates Gotsfeld's pivotal role in establishing vocational schools for religious girls in Palestine while confronting gender-based opposition from male Zionist leadership. Martin S. Cohen reimagines the ancient Seder Tohorot for contemporary audiences, skillfully weaving personal narrative with scholarly analysis to extract spiritual and ethical insights from Mishnaic discussions of ritual purity. His innovative methodology demonstrates how classical rabbinic texts remain vital sources of wisdom for modern spiritual seekers. Merle Feld's revised spiritual autobiography combines prose and poetry to map her Jewish feminist journey, offering practical approaches to spiritual growth through everyday experiences rather than esoteric practices. Together, these works advance our understanding of women's contributions to American Zionism, showcase novel methods of engaging with classical texts, and provide accessible frameworks for contemporary Jewish spiritual development.

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Published 2011
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