**The Nicki Newman Tanner** # Oral History Collection As part of JWA’s mission to expand the narrative of Jewish history, we have collected and recorded hundreds of interviews with leaders, activists, and community members across the United States, documenting their encounters with major events and movements of the 20th and 21st centuries and the many ways that gender, class, place, and religious and ethnic identities have shaped women’s lives. With generous support from Nicki Newman Tanner, [ Mass Humanities](https://masshumanities.org), and the [National Endowment for the Humanities](https://neh.gov), we are proud to make these interviews and transcripts available to the public. All entries include transcripts; audio or video recordings are also available where narrator permissions allow. **[More about the collection ](/oralhistories/about)** Keyword Project ChooseAdult Bat Mitzvahs (7)Barnard: Jewish Women Changing America (10)Boston Women Rabbis (15)DAVAR: Vermont Jewish Women's History Project (16)Ga’avah: LGBTQ+ Jews (8)General (9)Jewish Experience at Harvard (3)Katrina's Jewish Voices (85)Meet Me at Sinai (7)Soviet Jewry (17)Washington D.C. Stories (9)Weaving Women's Words (58)Women Who Dared (50)Women Whose Lives Span the Century (66) Interview Location ChooseAndover, VT (1)Arlington, MA (1)Atlanta, GA (2)Auburndale, MA (1)Baltimore, MD (28)Baltimore , MD (2)Baton Rouge, LA (5)Bellevue, WA (2)Belmont, MA (2)Belmont, VT (1)Bethesda, MD (1)Biloxi, MS (2)Boston, MA (28)Boston , MA (1)Brattleboro, VT (1)Brighton, MA (2)Brookhaven, MA (1)Brookline, MA (21)Brookline , MA (1)Brooklyn, NY (1)Burlington, VT (2)Cambridge, MA (9)Chesnut Hill, MA (1)Chicago, IL (8)Dorchester, MA (1)Dover, MA (1)East Montpelier, VT (1)Essex Junction, VT (1)Falmouth, MA (1)Framingham, MA (1)Gloucester, MA (2)Gulfport, MS (1)Lafayette, LA (2)Lenox, MA (1)Lexington, MA (2)Lowell, MA (1)Medina, WA (1)Mercer Island, WA (8)Metairie, LA (13)Montpelier, VT (2)Montpelier , VT (1)Morton Grove, IL (1)Natick, MA (1)Needham, MA (2)New Orleans, LA (62)Newton, MA (13)Newton Highlands, MA (1)Newtonville, MA (3)Newtown, MA (1)New York, NY (15)Nonquit, MA (1)Northampton, MA (1)Pasadena, CA (1)Peabody, MA (1)Providence, RI (1)Roslindale, MA (2)Rutland, VT (2)Scarsdale, NY (1)Seattle, WA (16)Seattle , WA (1)Sharon, MA (2)Somerville, MA (1)South Woodstock, VT (1)St. Johnsbury, VT (1)Swampscott, MA (2)Tampa, FL (1)Utica, MS (1)Waltham, MA (5)Washington, DC (8)West Newton, MA (1)West Roxbury, MA (1)West Seattle, WA (1)Westwood, MA (2)Wilmette, IL (1)Winooski, VT (1)Winthrop, MA (1)Wolcott, VT (1) Type ChooseAudio (226)Video (93)Text Only (41) Interviewer ChooseRosalind Hinton (87)Judith Rosenbaum (32)Ann Buffum (16)Jayne Guberman (16)Sandra Stillman Gartner (16)Pamela Brown Lavitt (13)Jean Freedman (10)Roz Bornstein (10)Deborah Ross (9)Elaine Eff (9)Marcie Cohen Ferris (9)Ronda Spinak (9)Emily Mehlman (8)Gabriel Weinstein (7)Julie Johnson (6)Lynne Himelstein (6)Roz Borsntein (6)Shayna Rhodes (6)Tamar Shachaf Schneider (6)Alexandra Kiosse (5)Aaron Hersh (4)Abe Louise Young (4)Elise Brenner (4)Frances Godine (4)Betsy Friedman Abrams (3)Nicole Zador (3)Rachel Alexander (3)Stuart Rockoff (3)Aaron Hirsch (2)Betsy Abrams (2)Bobbie Burstein (2)David Johnson (2)Ellen Rovner (2)Fran Putnoi (2)Georgia Westbrook (2)Roberta Burstein (2)Susan Cohen (2)Abriel Young (1)Adam Nickels (1)Audrey Haas (1)Bernice Heinstein (1)Brenda Kaplan (1)Brenda Rever (1)Carol Milowitz (1)Caroline Essig (1)Caryl Goodman (1)Chana Revell Kotzin (1)Charlotte Backman (1)Charlotte Kupiec (1)Claire Gerstein (1)Deborah Michaud (1)Denise Telio (1)Devorah Steinberg (1)Ellen Carno (1)Ellen Meisel (1)Gail Reimer (1)Helene Bailen (1)Helene Balien (1)Iris Geik (1)Isadora Kianovsky (1)Jennifer Stone (1)Joan Kachlia (1)Joan Rachlin (1)Judy Levin-Charns (1)Judy Ninneman (1)Laura Simons (1)Linda Bernstein (1)Marcie Ferris Cohen (1)Meirit Cohen (1)Miriam Smulow (1)Mitchell Israel (1)Naomi Tuchman (1)Pam Goodman (1)Phyllis Katz (1)Rachel Clark (1)Rachel Eilbaum (1)Rochelle Rothchild (1)Rochelle Ruthchild (1)Rose Mandelbaum (1)Sandra Levine (1)Shanya Rhodes (1)Shira Hartman (1)Susan Cooper (1)Susan Goodman (1)Susan Snider (1)Sylvia Greene (1)Terry Wyszkowski (1)Unknown (1)Vicki Gabriner (1)Wendy Janett (1) Birth Country ChooseArgentina (1)Austria (1)Belarus (1)Belgium (1)Canada (3)Chile (2)Denmark (1)France (1)Germany (10)Hungary (2)Israel (3)Lithuania (1)Poland (5)Romania (2)Russia (8)South Africa (1)Switzerland (1)Türkiye (2)United Kingdom (1)United States (249) Birth State ChooseAlabama (1)Alaska (1)Arizona (1)Arkansas (1)Bursa (1)California (3)Colorado (2)Connecticut (1)District of Columbia (3)Florida (1)Georgia (2)Illinois (12)Indiana (2)Kansas (1)Louisiana (39)Maryland (19)Massachusetts (56)Michigan (4)Minnesota (1)Mississippi (4)Missouri (1)New Jersey (14)New York (45)North Carolina (1)Ohio (5)Oklahoma (1)Ontario (1)Pennsylvania (4)Quebec (2)Rhode Island (2)South Carolina (1)Tennessee (2)Texas (3)Utah (1)Vermont (1)Virginia (1)Washington (13) Birth City ChooseAkron (1)Alexandria (1)Ann Arbor (1)Antwerp (1)Atlanta (2)Baltimore (18)Baltimore (1)Bastrop (1)Baton Rouge (2)Bayonne (1)Berlin (3)Bistrita (1)Bogalusa (1)Boston (25)Brighton (1)Bronx (1)Brookline (8)Brooklyn (11)Budapest (1)Buffalo (3)Cambridge (1)Canton (1)Chattanooga (1)Chelsea (3)Chicago (9)Chicago Heights (1)Cincinnati (3)Clarksdale (1)Copenhagen (1)Coronado (1)Decatur (1)Denver (2)Detroit (2)Dorchester (3)Englewood (1)Fairbanks (1)Far Rockaway (1)Frankfurt (3)Gomel (1)Greenville (2)Greenwood (1)Gulfport (1)Gyor (1)Haifa (1)Haverhill (1)Heilbronn (1)Hempstead (1)Hollywood (1)Houston (3)Howard Beach (1)Indianapolis (1)Ipswich (1)Kansas City (1)Knoxville (1)Kuibyshev (Samara) (1)Leningrad (2)Lexington (1)Little Rock (1)Lodz (1)London (1)Los Angeles (1)Lynn (1)Malden (1)Maplewood (1)Marrero (1)Midway (1)Montreal (2)Moscow (2)Moscow (1)Newark (3)Newark (1)New Bedford (1)New Brunswick (2)New Haven (1)New Orleans (32)New Orleans (1)Newton (1)New York (22)New York City (4)Nieswiez (1)North Adams (1)Oak Park (1)Oberhausen (1)Paris (1)Passaic (1)Philadelphia (3)Pittsburgh (1)Providence (2)Ridgewood (1)Roxbury (4)Rus (1)Saint Paul (1)Santiago (2)Seattle (12)Selma (1)Shreveport (1)Sighet (1)Springfield (2)St. Louis (1)Tacoma (1)Tarrytown (1)Tel Aviv (2)Tishmay (1)Toronto (1)Tulsa (1)Union (1)Vienna (1)Vilkomir (1)Warsaw (1)Washington (3)Willits (1)Zurich (1) Sort by RelevanceNarrator A-ZNarrator Z-AProject Z-AProject A-Z [ ![Alla Aberson](/sites/default/files/styles/scale_crop_168x168/public/mediaobjects/allaaberson.jpg?itok=yc1PoEpp "Alla Aberson") ](/oralhistories/aberson-alla) ## [Alla (Hannah) Aberson](/oralhistories/aberson-alla) Project Soviet Jewry Alla Aberson was interviewed in Framingham, Massachusetts, as part of the Soviet Jewry Oral History Project. Aberson discusses her parents' "refusenik" jobs, life under KGB surveillance, participation in hunger strikes, antisemitism in the FSU, and their path to leaving the Soviet Union. ## [Ruth Abrams](/oralhistories/abrams-ruth-0) Project Jewish Experience at Harvard In this oral history interview, the Honorable Ruth Abrams reflects on her family’s Russian Jewish immigrant roots in Boston, her education in Newton and at Radcliffe and Harvard Law School, and her trailblazing legal career from assistant district attorney to the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court while discussing gender discrimination in the legal profession, Jewish identity, civic life, and social change in twentieth-century Massachusetts. ## [Ann Abrams](/oralhistories/abrams-ann) Project Ga’avah: LGBTQ+ Jews Nicole Zador interviewed Ann Abrams on November 15, 2022, in Boston, Massachusetts as part of the Ga'avah LGBTQ+ Jews project. Ann details her upbringing in the Conservative movement during the late 50s and 60s, her journey of coming out, her influential role as the Temple Israel librarian supporting the LGBTQ+ community, her passion for musical parodies, co-authoring a book of Jewish folk songs for peace, and meeting her wife while working at the temple, reflecting on her life, family, and professional endeavors. [ ![Senator Rosalie Silber Abrams](/sites/default/files/styles/scale_crop_168x168/public/mediaobjects/rosalie_abrams_headshot.jpg?itok=Y94AypZt) ](/oralhistories/abrams-rosalie) ## [Rosalie Silber Abrams](/oralhistories/abrams-rosalie) Project Weaving Women's Words Marcie Cohen Ferris interviewed Senator Rosalie Silber Abrams on May 24, 2001, in Baltimore, Maryland, as part of the Weaving Women’s Words Oral History Project. Abrams, a progressive health advocate, and former Maryland Senator, reflects on her life and career in an interview, highlighting her nursing background, political engagement, and contributions to healthcare and senior services. [ ![Ruth Abrams, 2001](/sites/default/files/styles/scale_crop_168x168/public/mediaobjects/raport.jpg?itok=I54CMBCn "Ruth Abrams, 2001") ](/oralhistories/abrams-ruth) ## [Ruth Abrams (2001)](/oralhistories/abrams-ruth) Project Women Who Dared Judith Rosenbaum interviewed Judge Ruth Abrams on July 25, 2001, in Boston, Massachusetts, as part of the Women Who Dared Oral History Project. Judge Abrams explores her family, education, career path, focus on gender issues, and notable legal cases in an interview. [ ![Randi Abramson](/sites/default/files/styles/scale_crop_168x168/public/mediaobjects/randiabramson.png?itok=BoeT08Iw "Randi Abramson") ](/oralhistories/abramson-randi) ## [Randi Abramson](/oralhistories/abramson-randi) Project Washington D.C. Stories Deborah Ross interviewed Randi Abramson on January 22, 2011, in Bethesda, Maryland, as part of the Washington D.C. Stories Oral History Project. Abramson, a doctor at Bread for the City in Washington, D.C., discusses her experience as a minority Jew, challenges in the medical field, commitment to community service, and imparting Jewish values to her children. ## [Frances Addelson](/oralhistories/addelson-frances) Project Women Whose Lives Span the Century Rochelle Ruthchild interviewed Frances Addelson on October 18, November 14, and December 10, 1997, in Boston, Massachusetts, as part of the Women Whose Lives Spanned The Century Oral History Project. Addelson shares her life journey from childhood experiences in a Jewish orphanage in Boston to her education at Radcliffe College, a career in social work, and active involvement in social justice, despite not being particularly religious, until an accident in the late 1990s. ## [Diane Africk](/oralhistories/africk-diane) Project Katrina's Jewish Voices Rosalind Hinton interviewed Diane Africk on July 11, 2007, in New Orleans, Louisiana, as part of the Katrina's Jewish Voices Oral History Project. Africk, a pediatric neurologist, recounts her experiences growing up in the city, her Jewish identity and involvement in Touro Synagogue, her career at Tulane Medical Center, the challenges she faced during and after Hurricane Katrina, and her criticism of the government's response to the storm. ## [Kay Albert-Spector](/oralhistories/albert-spector-kay) Project Women Whose Lives Span the Century This interview with Kay Albert-Spector traces her life from her upbringing in Boston’s South End and Dorchester through her lifelong engagement with music, work in Jewish resort hotels, family experiences, and community involvement. [ ![Joanne Alter](/sites/default/files/styles/scale_crop_168x168/public/mediaobjects/joanne-alter.jpg?itok=UQF9OwL8) ](/oralhistories/alter-joanne) ## [Joanne Alter](/oralhistories/alter-joanne) Project Women Who Dared Deborah Michaud interviewed Joanne Alter on February 22, 2004, in Chicago, Illinois, as part of the Women Who Dared Oral History Project. Alter reflects on her upbringing in a Christian suburb of Chicago, her early activism fostered by wartime experiences, her involvement in political organizations in college, her efforts in foreign relations and women empowerment, her successful political career, philanthropic work, and the influence of her Jewish identity on her activism. [ ![Lynn Amowitz, July 2001](/sites/default/files/styles/scale_crop_168x168/public/mediaobjects/lynn_amowitz_july_2001.jpg?itok=7XxxLWjf "Lynn Amowitz, July 2001") ](/oralhistories/amowitz-lynn) ## [Lynn Amowitz](/oralhistories/amowitz-lynn) Project Women Who Dared Judith Rosenbaum interviewed Lynn Amowitz on July 31, 2001, in Providence, Rhode Island, as part of the Women Who Dared Oral History Project. Amowitz reflects on her childhood experiences of antisemitism, her parents' establishment of a synagogue for her bat mitzvah, the influence of family history on her career choice, her work in human rights investigations, and her aspirations to impact policies and methodologies in her field. [ ![Sharon Cohen Anisfeld](/sites/default/files/styles/scale_crop_168x168/public/mediaobjects/anisfeld.jpg?itok=YqlkOZ-b "Sharon Cohen Anisfeld") ](/oralhistories/anisfeld-sharon) ## [Sharon Cohen Anisfeld](/oralhistories/anisfeld-sharon) Project Boston Women Rabbis Ronda Spinak interviewed Sharon Anisfeld on March 24, 2014, in Newton, Massachusetts, as part of the Boston Women Rabbis Project. Rabbi Sharon Cohen Anisfeld shares her experiences and perspectives as a religious leader, discussing topics such as ethics policies, the Book of Esther, the evolving role of rabbis in contemporary society, and the importance of adaptability, empathy, and understanding of religious traditions in her leadership role. ## [Carol Anshien](/oralhistories/anshien-carol) Project Barnard: Jewish Women Changing America Jayne Guberman interviewed Carol Anshien on October 30, 2005, in New York, New York, as part of the Barnard: Jewish Women Changing America Oral History Project. Carol Anshien, a Bronx native, reflects on her family's World War II service, her fond memories of the Jacob H. Schiff Center Synagogue, her pioneering experience as the first female bat mitzvahed in the 1950s, and her later involvement in feminist activism with the New Jewish Agenda Feminist Task Force while navigating her religious practice with secular life. [ ![Close-up of Rita Arditti in front of an information panel](/sites/default/files/styles/scale_crop_168x168/public/mediaobjects/Rita_Arditti_at_MBCC_booth.jpg?itok=1XzUp4rZ) ](/oralhistories/arditti-rita) ## [Rita Arditti](/oralhistories/arditti-rita) Project Women Who Dared Julie Johnson interviewed Rita Arditti on March 14, 2005, in Boston, Massachusetts, as part of the Women Who Dared Oral History Project. Arditti, a Jewish activist from Argentina, discusses her upbringing, academic journey, involvement in the women's movement and Science for the People, her battle with breast cancer, and her impactful work with the Grandmothers of the Plaza de Mayo. ## [Bess Arick](/oralhistories/arick-bess) Project Women Whose Lives Span the Century These interviews document Bess Arick’s life from her upbringing in a Russian Jewish immigrant family on a Massachusetts farm through experiences of antisemitism, limited educational opportunity, marriage, career as a medical journal editor, and family loss. ## [Marion Arvedon](/oralhistories/arvedon-marion) Project Women Whose Lives Span the Century Marion Arvedon recounts her family’s immigration from Eastern Europe, her upbringing in Malden, Massachusetts, her father’s entrepreneurial career, and her own experiences with education, marriage, wartime separation, community involvement, and reflections on social change and aging. [ ![Louise Maimon Azose](/sites/default/files/styles/scale_crop_168x168/public/mediaobjects/azose1.jpg?itok=xaA5IaIb) ](/oralhistories/azose) ## [Louise Azose](/oralhistories/azose) Project Weaving Women's Words Roz Bornstein interviewed Louise Azose on April 18 and May 26, 2001, in Seattle, Washington, as part of the Weaving Women's Words Oral History Project. A Sephardic Jew from Turkey, Azose shares her immigration experience, family life, involvement in her synagogue, traditional cooking, cultural customs, the challenges of separation from her family, raising her children during World War II, the role of singing in her family, and her travels. ## [Brian Bain](/oralhistories/bain-brian) Project Katrina's Jewish Voices Rosalind Hinton interviewed Brian Bain on July 5, 2007, in New Orleans, Louisiana, as part of the Katrina's Jewish Voices Oral History Project. Brian talks about his experiences growing up in Metairie, his involvement in Touro Synagogue and SoFTY, the impact of Hurricane Katrina on his family, and his current involvement in the local Jewish community. ## [Diane Balser](/oralhistories/balser-diane) Project Women Who Dared Julie Johnson interviewed Diane Balser on March 8, 2005, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, as part of the Women Who Dared Oral History Project. Balser discusses her journey into activism, including her early involvement in peace activism and the women’s movement, and her efforts to raise awareness on global gender inequality issues and facilitating discussions about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in Nairobi. ## [Lorraine Baron](/oralhistories/baron-lorraine) Project Women Whose Lives Span the Century Lorraine Baron reflects on her upbringing in a Jewish family in Massachusetts, tracing how her parents’ values of compassion, justice, and Jewish continuity shaped her lifelong commitments to family, religious practice, community leadership, feminism, civil rights, and intergenerational Jewish life. ## [Bernice Barres](/oralhistories/barres-bernice) Project Women Whose Lives Span the Century Bernice Barres discusses her childhood in a large family during the Depression, her courtship and marriage to a World War II veteran who lost both legs in combat, her evolving Jewish identity and community involvement, her later-in-life career as a nurse, and her experiences raising a family while caring for her husband through years of illness. ## [Arlene Barron](/oralhistories/arlene) Project Katrina's Jewish Voices Rosalind Hinton interviewed Arlene Barron on December 14, 2006, in New Orleans, Louisiana, as part of the Katrina's Jewish Voices Oral History Project. Arlene Barron discusses her childhood, involvement with the Jewish Community Center (JCC), experiences during Hurricane Katrina, and the emotional impact of the storm on herself and her family. [ ![Rebecca Benaroya](/sites/default/files/styles/scale_crop_168x168/public/mediaobjects/benaroya1.jpg?itok=cVPa5AWy "Rebecca Benaroya") ](/oralhistories/benaroya-rebecca) ## [Rebecca Benaroya](/oralhistories/benaroya-rebecca) Project Weaving Women's Words Roz Bornstein interviewed Rebecca Benaroya on July 17, 2001, in Seattle, Washington, as part of the Weaving Women’s History Oral History Project. Benaroya reminisces on her upbringing in Seattle as the daughter of Turkish immigrants, her family's Jewish traditions, her marriage, parenting, and community involvement. ## [Ellen Bender](/oralhistories/bender-ellen) Project Meet Me at Sinai Jayne Guberman interviewed Ellen Bender on February 8, 2015, in New York, New York, as part of the Meet Me at Sinai Oral History Project. Bender discusses her childhood in New York, her mother's influence on her feminism, and how it shaped her religious practice, highlighting the impact of Jewish feminism and her vision for gender equality in Judaism and Jewish life. ## [Madeline Bender](/oralhistories/bender-madeline) Project Meet Me at Sinai Jayne Guberman interviewed Madeline Bender on February 8, 2015, in New York, New York, as part of the Meet Me at Sinai Oral History Project. Madeline talks about her upbringing in New York City, her involvement in various clubs and organizations, and her feminist perspective on Jewish practice, and shares personal experiences of encountering gender equality and combating anti-feminist attitudes. ## [Joan Berenson](/oralhistories/berenson-joan) Project Katrina's Jewish Voices Rosalind Hinton interviewed Joan Berenson on August 31, 2007, in Metairie, Louisiana, as part of the Katrina's Jewish Voices Oral History Project. Joan Berenson talks about her New Orleans upbringing, connection to Judaism, involvement in the Civil Rights Movement, the impact of Hurricane Katrina, and her hopes for the future. ## [Martha Bergadine](/oralhistories/bergadine-martha) Project Katrina's Jewish Voices Rosalind Hinton interviewed Martha Bergadine on November 3, 2006, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, as a part of the Katrina's Jewish Voices Oral History Project. Rabbi Bergadine discusses her journey to Judaism, her work with the Jewish Federation, the impact of Hurricane Katrina on Baton Rouge, and the sense of community that emerged from the disaster. ## [Bessie Berman](/oralhistories/berman-bessie) Project Women Whose Lives Span the Century Betsy Friedman Abrams interviewed Bessie Berman on December 10, 1996, in Boston, Massachusetts, as part of the Women Whose Lives Spanned The Century Oral History Project. Berman explains her introduction to Temple Israel, her roles and responsibilities, her relationship with her coworkers and the rabbis, and how her career unfolded over fifty years with Temple Israel. ## [Beatrice Biller](/oralhistories/biller-beatrice) Project Women Whose Lives Span the Century Emily Mehlman interviewed Beatrice Biller on February 25, 1996, in Ipswich, Massachusetts, as part of the Women Whose Lives Spanned The Century Oral History Project. Biller shares her family history, and involvement in various volunteer activities, reflecting on her experiences living through significant historical events such as the World Wars and her contributions to the Jewish community in Temple Israel. ## [Allan Bissinger](/oralhistories/bissinger-allan) Project Katrina's Jewish Voices Rosalind Hinton interviewed Allan Bissinger on August 3, 2006, in Metairie, Louisiana, as part of the Katrina’s Jewish Voices Oral History Project. Bissinger talks about his upbringing in New Orleans, his experience during Hurricane Katrina, his involvement in the Jewish community's recovery efforts, and how his Jewish identity has influenced his life, despite not being religious. ## [Eva Bitsberger](/oralhistories/bitsberger-eva) Project Jewish Experience at Harvard On June 17, 1986, as part of the Harvard Semitic Museum Oral History Project documenting the Harvard Radcliffe Jewish experience, Eva Friedman Bitsberger, Radcliffe College, Class of 1953, was interviewed about her years at Radcliffe, her Jewish identity, marriage and life in Japan and New York, experiences with feminism and antisemitism, and her later career as Director of Financial Aid at the New England Conservatory. [ ![Hadassah Blocker, 2004](/sites/default/files/styles/scale_crop_168x168/public/mediaobjects/hadassah_blocker_2004.jpg?itok=_HcdNYKV "Hadassah Blocker, 2004") ](/oralhistories/blocker-hadassah) ## [Hadassah Blocker (Nov. 2004)](/oralhistories/blocker-hadassah) Project Adult Bat Mitzvahs Shayna Rhodes interviewed Hadassah Blocker on November 3, 2004, in Newtonville, Massachusetts, as part of the Adult Bat Mitzvahs Oral History Project. Blocker discusses her Orthodox Jewish background, her role in Torah learning, and her advocacy for women's participation in synagogue services and adult Jewish education. [ ![Hadassah Blocker, 2004](/sites/default/files/styles/scale_crop_168x168/public/mediaobjects/hadassah_blocker_2004.jpg?itok=_HcdNYKV "Hadassah Blocker, 2004") ](/oralhistories/blocker-hadassah-0) ## [Hadassah Blocker (Dec. 2004)](/oralhistories/blocker-hadassah-0) Project Women Who Dared Elise Brenner interviewed Hadassah Blocker on December 16, 2004, in Newtonville, Massachusetts, as part of the Women Who Dared Oral History Project. Blocker shares her upbringing in Massachusetts, her Orthodox background, challenges to gender roles in Judaism, and her dedication to teaching and promoting women's equal participation. ## [Darryl Bloom](/oralhistories/bloom-darryl) Project DAVAR: Vermont Jewish Women's History Project Ann Buffum and Sandra Stillman Gartner interviewed Darryl Bloom on August 15, 2005, in Montpelier, Vermont, as part of DAVAR: The Vermont Jewish History Project. Bloom reflects on her upbringing, conversion to Judaism, experiences on a kibbutz, commitment to social justice, involvement in the Montpelier Jewish community, and teaching at the Family Center of Washington County. [ ![Fiola Blum](/sites/default/files/styles/scale_crop_168x168/public/mediaobjects/blum.jpg?itok=e8zYT5IW "Fiola Blum") ](/oralhistories/blum-fiola) ## [Fiola Blum](/oralhistories/blum-fiola) Project Weaving Women's Words Elaine Eff interviewed Fiola Blum on August 20, 2001, in Baltimore, Maryland, as part of the Weaving Women’s Words Oral History Project. Fiola Blum reminisces on childhood memories, starting her realty company, her experiences as a Jewish woman in real estate, and reflects on her family background and Baltimore's Jewish communities. [ ![Elsbeth Levy Bothe](/sites/default/files/styles/scale_crop_168x168/public/mediaobjects/bothe.jpg?itok=y2Xa36Ya) ](/oralhistories/bothe-elsbeth) ## [Elsbeth Bothe](/oralhistories/bothe-elsbeth) Project Weaving Women's Words Elaine Eff interviewed Elsbeth Bothe on September 14 and October 22, 2001, in Baltimore Maryland, as part of the Weaving Women’s Words Oral History Project. Both shares her family background, education, career journey, activism in the Civil Rights movement, and reflections on her Jewish identity and experiences as a woman in the legal profession. [ ![Renee Brant](/sites/default/files/styles/scale_crop_168x168/public/mediaobjects/rtbport.jpg?itok=qoqPEniq "Renee Brant") ](/oralhistories/brant-renee) ## [Renee Brant](/oralhistories/brant-renee) Project Women Who Dared Judith Rosenbaum interviewed Renee Brant on July 18, 2001, in Newtown Highlands, Massachusetts, as part of the Women Who Dared Oral History Project. Brant discusses her upbringing, activism, and career in addressing sexual abuse, emphasizing personal growth, and promoting mental health services in medicine. [ ![Lainie Breaux](/sites/default/files/styles/scale_crop_168x168/public/mediaobjects/lainie-breaux.jpeg?itok=fGgHmn9r "Lainie Breaux") ](/oralhistories/breaux-helen) ## [Helen "Lainie" Breaux](/oralhistories/breaux-helen) Project Katrina's Jewish Voices Rosalind Hinton interviewed Lainie Breaux on September 17, 2006, in New Orleans, Louisiana, as part of the Katrina's Jewish Voices Oral History Project. Breaux reflects on her upbringing, activist family background, evacuation during the storm with her newborn son, and her ongoing work as a therapist in New Orleans. [ ![Shirley Bridge](/sites/default/files/styles/scale_crop_168x168/public/mediaobjects/bridge.jpg?itok=HVJlwLnk "Shirley Bridge") ](/oralhistories/bridge-shirley) ## [Shirley Bridge](/oralhistories/bridge-shirley) Project Weaving Women's Words Pamela Brown Lavitt interviewed Shirley Bridge on June 27, 2001, in Seattle, Washington, as part of the Weaving Women’s Words Oral History Project. Bridge discusses her family, childhood memories, education, a career in pharmacology, marriage, raising a family, social activism, and her 50-year battle with cancer. [ ![Sally Bronston](/sites/default/files/styles/scale_crop_168x168/public/mediaobjects/sally-bronston.png?itok=gTN5eII4 "Sally Bronston") ](/oralhistories/bronston-sally) ## [Sally Bronston](/oralhistories/bronston-sally) Project Katrina's Jewish Voices Rosalind Hinton interviewed Sally Bronston on August 10, 2007, in Metairie, Louisiana, as part of Katrina's Jewish Voices Oral History Project. Bronston shares her Jewish upbringing, education, involvement in Jewish organizations, experiences during Hurricane Katrina, challenges of post-storm life, and reflections on God and Judaism. ## [Joel Brown](/oralhistories/brown-joel) Project Katrina's Jewish Voices Rosalind Hinton interviewed Joel Brown on October 23, 2006, in Metairie, Louisiana, as part of Katrina's Jewish Voices Oral History Project. Brown explains his family background, education, Jewish upbringing, opening a kosher restaurant in New Orleans, the impact of Hurricane Katrina on his business and life, the support from the Memphis Jewish community, and his hopeful return to New Orleans. ## [Pearl Brown](/oralhistories/brown-pearl) Project Jewish Experience at Harvard Pearl Brown reflects on her Jewish student life and education at Radcliffe and Harvard, describing the intellectual, social, and cultural experiences that shaped her lifelong friendships, community involvement, and enduring attachment to Cambridge and its academic environment. ## [Gilda Bruckman](/oralhistories/bruckman-gilda) Project Ga’avah: LGBTQ+ Jews Nicole Zador interviewed Gilda Bruckman on November 10, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts as part of the Ga'avah LGBTQ+ Jews project. In this interview, Gilda discusses her upbringing, connection to the Jewish community, coming out experience, co-founding of the book store New Words and its evolution into a non-profit, as well as her extensive involvement in various volunteer programs and organizations, highlighting how her research into her family history as well as her relationship with her partner, Judy Wachs, strengthened her bond with Judaism. ## [Andy Busch](/oralhistories/busch-andy) Project Katrina's Jewish Voices Rosalind Hinton interviewed Andy Busch on August 2, 2006, in New Orleans, Louisiana, as part of Katrina's Jewish Voices Oral History Project. Rabbi Bush discusses his childhood, rabbinical training, serving as the rabbi of Touro Synagogue in New Orleans before Hurricane Katrina, their evacuation and exile experience, rebuilding the community in Houston, and reflecting on the impact of the storm and the efforts of the Jewish Reform Movement. [ ![Meta R. Buttnick](/sites/default/files/styles/scale_crop_168x168/public/mediaobjects/buttnick2.jpg?itok=OXGSAhx_) ](/oralhistories/buttnick-meta) ## [Meta R. Kaplan Buttnick](/oralhistories/buttnick-meta) Project Weaving Women's Words Pamela Brown Lavitt interviewed Meta R. Buttnick on May 31, June 20, and July 17, 2001, in Seattle, Washington, as part of the Weaving Women’s Words Oral History Project. Meta, born in Fairbanks, Alaska in 1913, discusses her upbringing, education, marriage, and lifelong commitment to preserving Jewish history in Seattle through oral histories and archival projects. ## [Vivian Cahn](/oralhistories/cahn-vivian) Project Katrina's Jewish Voices Rosalind Hinton interviewed Vivian Cahn on October 21, 2006, in New Orleans, Louisiana as part of the Katrina's Jewish Voices Oral History Project. Cahn tells her experiences of growing up in the South, moving to New Orleans, evacuating during Hurricane Katrina, and the challenges and recovery efforts faced by the Jewish community in rebuilding the city after the storm. [ ![Nina Beth Cardin](/sites/default/files/styles/scale_crop_168x168/public/mediaobjects/cardin.jpg?itok=KEVTwh5E "Nina Beth Cardin") ](/oralhistories/cardin-nina) ## [Nina Beth Cardin](/oralhistories/cardin-nina) Project General Rabbi Nina Beth Cardin is a rabbi, writer, and former director of Jewish Life at the JCC in Baltimore, Maryland, and the founder of the Jewish Women’s Resource Center. [ ![Shoshana Shoubin Cardin](/sites/default/files/styles/scale_crop_168x168/public/mediaobjects/cardin_0.jpg?itok=XdMYGoN8 "Shoshana Shoubin Cardin") ](/oralhistories/cardin-shoshana) ## [Shoshana Shoubin Cardin](/oralhistories/cardin-shoshana) Project Weaving Women's Words Elaine Eff interviewed Shoshana Shoubin Cardin on August 30, September 4, September 7, and October 3, 2001, in Baltimore, Maryland, as part of the Weaving Women's Words Oral History Project. Cardin shares her journey as an immigrant to the United States, her experiences growing up in Baltimore, her education, marriage, and the challenges and changes in the Jewish community, as well as her lifelong commitment to volunteerism and philanthropy. ## [Anna Castleman](/oralhistories/castleman-anna) Project Women Whose Lives Span the Century Frances Godine interviewed Anna Castleman on December 17, 1996, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, as part of the Women Whose Lives Spanned The Century Oral History Project. Anna Castleman discusses her upbringing in New England, her marriage and family life, her community involvement in Boston, and her experience as a Jewish woman at Wellesley College and in various Jewish organizations. ## [Gail Chalew](/oralhistories/chalew-gail) Project Katrina's Jewish Voices Rosalind Hinton interviewed Gail Chalew on August 15, 2006, in New Orleans, Louisiana, as part of the Katrina's Jewish Voices Oral History Project. Chalew remembers Hurricane Katrina's impact, her evacuation to Baltimore with her son, and her dedication to rebuilding her community while reflecting on the changes in herself, the Jewish community, and New Orleans. ## [Judith Chalmer](/oralhistories/chalmer-judith) Project DAVAR: Vermont Jewish Women's History Project Sandra Stillman Gartner and Ann Buffum interviewed Judith Chalmer in Winooski, Vermont, on November 3 and December 8, 2005, as part of DAVAR’s oral history project. Chalmer discusses her family's history, her creative path as a writer, and her reflections on her Jewish identity and the role of women in Judaism, inspired by her father's experiences during the Holocaust and her efforts to honor those who helped her family. [ ![Anna Charny](/sites/default/files/styles/scale_crop_168x168/public/mediaobjects/annacharny.jpg?itok=fC2Rgc3e "Anna Charny") ](/oralhistories/charny-anna) ## [Anna Charny](/oralhistories/charny-anna) Project Soviet Jewry Gabriel Weinstein Tamar interviewed Anna Charny in Massachusetts as part of the Soviet Jewry Oral History Project. Charny shares her experiences growing up in Moscow, encountering antisemitism, becoming a refusenik, and eventually immigrating to the United States, highlighting her family's Jewish identity, her activism, and the challenges of assimilating into a new country. [ ![Peggy Charren Portrait](/sites/default/files/styles/scale_crop_168x168/public/mediaobjects/peggy_charren.jpg?itok=ZbbpyxkQ "Peggy Charren Portrait") ](/oralhistories/charren-peggy) ## [Peggy Charren](/oralhistories/charren-peggy) Project Women Who Dared Judith Rosenbaum interviewed Peggy Charren on July 23, 2001, in Boston, Massachusetts, as part of the Women Who Dared Oral History Project. Charren talks about her family background, her advocacy for children's television programming through Action for Children's Television (ACT), her passion for literature, her marriage, and her reflections on her life and activism, including receiving prestigious honors. [ ![Rebecca Chernin, 2004](/sites/default/files/styles/scale_crop_168x168/public/mediaobjects/rebecca_chernin_2004.jpg?itok=uxsv5S5T "Rebecca Chernin, 2004") ](/oralhistories/chernin-rebecca) ## [Rebecca Chernin](/oralhistories/chernin-rebecca) Project Women Who Dared Elise Brenner interviewed Rebecca Chernin on December 19, 2004, in Sharon, Massachusetts, as part of the Women Who Dared Project. Rebecca discusses her family, childhood, and Jewish identity, highlighting her advocacy efforts to combat teen violence and support domestic violence victims within the Jewish community; she also shares her personal experience as an Orthodox teen survivor of an abusive relationship, her work with REACH Beyond Domestic Violence, and her outreach efforts to address domestic violence within the Jewish community, guided by the Jewish value of shalom bayit, and reflects on her ongoing advocacy goals. ## [Naomi Cherny](/oralhistories/cherny-naomi) Project Women Whose Lives Span the Century In interviews conducted on June 17 and June 21, 1999, Donna Joftis interviewed Naomi Cherny about her experiences growing up during the Depression and World War II, pursuing education and professional work despite gender expectations, building Jewish community institutions in Lexington and Arlington, working in counseling and equal employment at Hanscom Air Force Base, officiating interfaith marriages as a justice of the peace, and her reflections on family, volunteerism, nutrition, exercise, and social change. ## [Charlotte Chipman](/oralhistories/chipman-charlotte) Project Women Whose Lives Span the Century On July 13, 1999, Caroline Essig interviewed Charlotte Chipman about her upbringing in a Jewish immigrant family in Chelsea, Massachusetts, her work as a secretary and office manager, her involvement in the founding of Temple Reyim, her lifelong volunteerism and community engagement, and her reflections on Jewish life, family, travel, education, and civic participation across the twentieth century. [ ![Ruth Clarke, 2004](/sites/default/files/styles/scale_crop_168x168/public/mediaobjects/ruth_clarke_2004.jpg?itok=WkvsozK_ "Ruth Clarke, 2004") ](/oralhistories/clarke-ruth) ## [Ruth Clarke](/oralhistories/clarke-ruth) Project Women Who Dared Elise Brenner interviewed Ruth Clarke on December 17, 2003, in Nonquit, Massachusetts, as part of the Women Who Dared Oral History Project. Ruth discusses her family background, her conversion to Judaism, the changes in her Dorchester neighborhood, and her impactful work with the Nonquit Street Gardening Club, reflecting on the rewards and challenges of being an activist. [ ![Rose Pines Cohen](/sites/default/files/styles/scale_crop_168x168/public/mediaobjects/cohen_0.jpg?itok=yDGko7pJ "Rose Pines Cohen") ](/oralhistories/cohen-rose) ## [Rose Pines Cohen](/oralhistories/cohen-rose) Project Weaving Women's Words Marcie Cohen Ferris interviewed Rose Pines Cohen on April 24, 2001, in Baltimore, Maryland, as part of the Weaving Women's Words project. Rose traces her family's immigration to Baltimore, their experiences during World War I, her pursuit of education and teaching, her family life, and her involvement in Jewish organizations, reflecting on her career and influence on her children. [ ![Pamela Cohen](/sites/default/files/styles/scale_crop_168x168/public/mediaobjects/pamela_cohen.jpg?itok=CkXt_ICR "Pamela Cohen") ](/oralhistories/cohen-pamela) ## [Pamela Cohen](/oralhistories/cohen-pamela) Project Women Who Dared Rosalind Hinton interviewed Pamela Cohen on February 7, 2005, in Chicago, Illinois, as part of the Jewish Women’s Archive’s Women Who Dared project. Cohen discusses her family's immigration, her activism for Soviet Jewry, her career in advocacy, her reflections on Judaism, and her hopes for future generations in human rights work. ## [Jonathan Cohen](/oralhistories/cohen-jonathan) Project Katrina's Jewish Voices Stuart Rockoff interviewed Jonathan Cohen on October 11, 2007, in Utica, Mississippi, as part of Katrina's Jewish Voices project. Jonathan shares his background, the role of Henry S. Jacobs Camp during Hurricane Katrina, the formation of a supportive community at the camp, the creation of the "Jacob's Ladder" relief project, the impact on the Jewish community, and the ongoing challenges faced by the camp in the post-Katrina era. ## [Lillian Cohen](/oralhistories/cohen-lillian) Project Women Whose Lives Span the Century On June 1, 1999, Charlotte Kupiec interviewed Lillian Cohen about growing up as one of three fraternal triplets in Providence, Rhode Island, her family’s Jewish immigrant history, community and religious life, experiences during World War II, marriage and family, artistic and musical interests, and her long involvement in floral design and beautification work at Temple Emunah. ## [Edward Cohn](/oralhistories/cohn-edward) Project Katrina's Jewish Voices Rosalind Hinton interviewed Rabbi Edward Cohn on July 25, 2007, in New Orleans, as part of the Katrina's Jewish Voices project. Rabbi Cohn talks about his family background, his role at Temple Sinai in New Orleans, their preparation for Hurricane Katrina, community outreach efforts, and the collective trauma experienced by Southern communities. ## [Harriet Cohn](/oralhistories/cohn-harriet) Project Women Whose Lives Span the Century Helene Bailen interviewed Harriet Segal Cohn on January 9 and January 16, 1997, in Westwood, Massachusetts, as part of the Women Whose Lives Spanned The Century Oral History Project. Harriet shares her family's immigration to Boston, her childhood experiences, education, encountering antisemitism, meeting her husband, experiences volunteering, and reflects on her life as a widow. ## [Barbara Cole](/oralhistories/cole-barbara) Project Women Whose Lives Span the Century Rachel Alexander interviewed Barbara Cole on August 20, 1997, in Lexington, Massachusetts, as part of the Women Whose Lives Span The Century Oral History Project. Cole discusses her upbringing, Jewish cultural background, thoughts on religion, experiences at Smith College and work at Filene's, as well as her travels to the United Kingdom, New Zealand, and Australia. ## [Joel Colman](/oralhistories/colman-joel) Project Katrina's Jewish Voices Rosalind Hinton interviewed Cantor Joel Colman on August 31, 2006, in New Orleans, Louisiana, as part of the Katrina’s Jewish Voices project. Rabbi Colman discusses his background, relocation to New Orleans, evacuation during Hurricane Katrina, living in a FEMA trailer, the significant turnout for the first High Holiday celebration after the storm, fundraising efforts, reflections on the storm's impact, and his son's plan to become a firefighter in New Orleans. [ ![Molly Cone](/sites/default/files/styles/scale_crop_168x168/public/mediaobjects/cone1.jpg?itok=uOPa0ihh) ](/oralhistories/cone-molly) ## [Molly Cone](/oralhistories/cone-molly) Project Weaving Women's Words Roz Bornstein interviewed Molly Cone on May 22, 2001, in Seattle, Washington, as part of the Weaving Women’s Words Oral History Project. Cone recounts her family's immigration history, childhood in Tacoma, Washington, feeling different as a minority, education, writing career, marriage, raising children, Jewish holidays, and her passion for travel, including visits to Israel. ## [Sally Corwin](/oralhistories/corwin-sally) Project Women Whose Lives Span the Century Sally Corwin reflects on her upbringing as the daughter of Russian Jewish immigrants in Washington, D.C.; her path into law during the New Deal; her legal career and political work in Massachusetts; her family life; her Jewish identity; and the evolving role of women in the legal profession across the twentieth century. ## [Rosalyn Cottler](/oralhistories/cottler-rosalyn) Project Women Whose Lives Span the Century Rosalyn Cottler reflects on her childhood in Boston’s Jewish community, her family life, wartime experiences as the wife of an Army serviceman, her role in the founding and early development of Temple Shalom in Newton, and her perspectives on Jewish identity, community, family, and social change. ## [Ruth Cowin](/oralhistories/cowin-ruth) Project Women Whose Lives Span the Century Joan Kachlia interviewed Ruth Sheinwald Cowin on February 13th and 25th, 1997 in Nonquit, Massachusetts, as part of the Women Whose Lives Spanned The Century Oral History Project. Cowin discusses her family history, childhood experiences with antisemitism, marriages, raising her son, career in medical social work, teaching experience, involvement in the Rosenfeld Foundation, the impact of social and cultural movements, and her dedication to social justice. [ ![Carolyn Blumenthal Danz](/sites/default/files/styles/scale_crop_168x168/public/mediaobjects/link_in_chain_photo_cr.jpg?itok=7pulx5ry "Carolyn Blumenthal Danz") ](/oralhistories/danz-carolyn) ## [Carolyn Blumenthal Danz](/oralhistories/danz-carolyn) Project Weaving Women's Words Roz Bornstein interviewed Carolyn Danz on May 11 and May 16, 2001, in Seattle, Washington, as part of the Weaving Women’s Words project. Danz shares her family history, childhood experiences with volunteer work, a career as a businesswoman, single parenthood, involvement in Jewish and civic organizations, and her active life, including founding the Northwest Croquet Association. ## [Ellen David-Friedman](/oralhistories/david-friedman-ellen) Project DAVAR: Vermont Jewish Women's History Project Ann Zinn Buffum and Sandra Stillman Gartner, project directors, interviewed Ellen David Friedman on November 8, 2005, in East Montpelier, Vermont, as part of DAVAR's Vermont Jewish Women's History Project. Friedman reflects on her family background, immigration history, Jewish identity, involvement in progressive politics, volunteer efforts, and her role as a grassroots labor organizer in Vermont. ## [Sara Davidson](/oralhistories/davidson-sara) Project Barnard: Jewish Women Changing America Judith Rosenbaum interviewed Sara Davidson on October 30, 2005, in New York, as part of the Barnard: Jewish Women Changing America oral history project. Davidson discusses her background, Jewish upbringing, feminist influences, experiences shaping her Jewish identity, and coming out as bisexual, reflecting on the intersections of her feminism, Jewishness, and sexuality. [ ![Sheila Decter](/sites/default/files/styles/scale_crop_168x168/public/mediaobjects/sheiladecter.jpg?itok=RDIrSPE4 "Sheila Decter") ](/oralhistories/decter-sheila) ## [Sheila Decter](/oralhistories/decter-sheila) Project Soviet Jewry Sheila Decter was interviewed on October 7, 2016, as part of the Soviet Jewry Oral History Project. Decter recounts her role in the Simcha Torah awareness truck drive, her work with the Kennedy Administration, the Jewish Agenda in Washington, and the ongoing importance of the Soviet Jewry cause. [ ![Tillie Israel De Leon](/sites/default/files/styles/scale_crop_168x168/public/mediaobjects/deleon1.jpg?itok=PYMnyoem "Tillie Israel De Leon") ](/oralhistories/deleon-tillie) ## [Tillie DeLeon](/oralhistories/deleon-tillie) Project Weaving Women's Words Roz Bornstein interviewed Tillie Israel DeLeon on May 24 and June 1, 2001, in Mercer Island, Washington, as part of the Weaving Women's Words project. DeLeon shares her experiences and insights into the Sephardic community in Seattle, including its immigration history, cultural interactions, education, personal journey, and reflections on Sephardic customs and traditions. ## [Irma Devore](/oralhistories/devore-irma) Project Women Whose Lives Span the Century Irma Devore reflects on a long life shaped by Jewish family traditions, immigrant roots, education, resilience in the face of personal loss and family hardship, and a deep commitment to community, music, and caring for others, while tracing the social and cultural changes she witnessed throughout the twentieth century. ## [Marjorie Edenfeld](/oralhistories/edenfeld-marjorie) Project Women Whose Lives Span the Century Frances Godine interviewed Marjorie Loeb Edenfield on October 31, 1997, in Boston, Massachusetts, as of the Women Whose Lives Spanned the Century Oral History Project. Edenfield reflects on her late accomplishments, experiences of identity, family dynamics, religious affiliation, motherhood, and career at Filene's, and contemplates friendship, spirituality, and gratitude. [ ![Esther Eggleston](/sites/default/files/styles/scale_crop_168x168/public/mediaobjects/eggleston2.jpg?itok=pkC5-ykx) ](/oralhistories/eggleston-esther) ## [Esther Eggleston](/oralhistories/eggleston-esther) Project Weaving Women's Words Pamela Brown Lavitt interviewed Esther Eggleston on April 3 and May 3, 2001, in Seattle, Washington, as part of the Weaving Women's Words project. Esther shares her family's immigration story, her educational journey, experiences of antisemitism, and her struggles with belonging in various Jewish congregations in Seattle before becoming a trailblazing female executive administrator at Temple de Hirsch, where she made substantial improvements, all while maintaining a busy personal life and active civic engagement, leading to her recognition with the Esther Eggleston Outstanding Service Award in 1993. ## [Judith Ehrlich](/oralhistories/ehrlich-judith) Project Boston Women Rabbis Lynne Himelstein interviewed Rabbi Judi Ehrlich on March 5, 2014, in Newton, Massachusetts, as part of the Boston Women Rabbis Oral History Project. Ehrlich shares her journey from Orthodox Judaism in South Africa to becoming a rabbi in America, including her religious upbringing, education in Israel, work as a matchmaker, career as a rabbi, challenges in her family, and her role as a chaplain, providing support to patients and families dealing with loss. [ ![Cantor Roy Einhorn](/sites/default/files/styles/scale_crop_168x168/public/mediaobjects/cantorroyeinhorn.jpg?itok=wyLbo0jF "Cantor Roy Einhorn") ](/oralhistories/einhorn-roy) ## [Roy Einhorn](/oralhistories/einhorn-roy) Project Soviet Jewry Gabriel Weinstein, Tamar Shachaf Schneider, and Aaron Hirsch interviewed Cantor Roy B. Einhorn on November 10, 2016, in Boston, Massachusetts, as part of the Soviet Jewry Oral History Project. Cantor Einhorn recounts his involvement in the Soviet Jewry Movement, including mission trips to the USSR with Temple Israel to support refuseniks, and drawing parallels to current refugee crises. ## [Marion Eiseman](/oralhistories/eiseman-marion) Project Women Whose Lives Span the Century Emily Mehlman interviewed Marion Eiseman in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on May 19, 1997, for the Women Whose Lives Span the Century project. Eisman talks about her life experiences, including challenges during the Great Depression, involvement with Temple Israel, frustrations with her daughter's interfaith wedding, participation in Jewish resettlement during WWII, founding Call for Action, political views, volunteer work, and reflections on Boston's changes over time. ## [Jeannette Epstein](/oralhistories/epstein-jeannette) Project Women Whose Lives Span the Century Jeannette Epstein discusses her upbringing in a Russian Jewish immigrant family in Boston, her education at Girls’ Latin School and Simmons College, her work in nutrition and hospital volunteering, and her experiences with family, friendship, Jewish identity, and loss. [ ![Cecillia Pollock Etkin](/sites/default/files/styles/scale_crop_168x168/public/mediaobjects/etkin1.jpg?itok=2hqr-bpY) ](/oralhistories/etkin-cecillia) ## [Cecillia Etkin](/oralhistories/etkin-cecillia) Project Weaving Women's Words Pamela Brown Lavitt interviewed Cecillia Etkin on June 14 and August 1, 2001, at her home in Seattle, Washington, as part of the Weaving Women's Words project. Etkin discusses her childhood in Romania, her experiences in concentration camps, her work as a "mikveh lady," and her role in educating youth about the Holocaust, highlighting her resilience and dedication to preserving Jewish traditions and supporting her community. ## [Cynthia Farber](/oralhistories/farber-cynthia) Project Katrina's Jewish Voices Stuart Rockoff interviewed Cynthia Farber on August 30, 2007, in Atlanta, Georgia, as part of the Katrina's Jewish Voices Oral History Project. Farber shares her family's history, Hurricane Katrina experience, relocation from New Orleans to Atlanta, and involvement in organizations, reflecting on the hurricane's impact on her life and New Orleans. [ ![Ruth Fein](/sites/default/files/styles/scale_crop_168x168/public/mediaobjects/ruth_fein_2.jpg?itok=hWtCWvMF) ](/oralhistories/fein) ## [Ruth Fein](/oralhistories/fein) Project General Sylvia Greene interviewed Ruth Fein on June 12, 1992, in Brookline, Massachusetts. Ruth discusses her family history, childhood in Washington, DC, and experiences living in Chapel Hill, Washington, DC, and Boston, highlighting her early exposure to politics, encounters with anti-Semitism, education at Goucher College and Johns Hopkins University, as well as her marriage to Rashi Fein and their life in different communities, underscoring the varying levels of political engagement and her extensive volunteer work in Boston and Washington. [ ![Lois Blum Feinblatt ](/sites/default/files/styles/scale_crop_168x168/public/mediaobjects/feinblatt.jpg?itok=Z0sk_WMS "Lois Blum Feinblatt ") ](/oralhistories/feinblatt-lois) ## [Lois Blum Feinblatt](/oralhistories/feinblatt-lois) Project Weaving Women's Words Jean Freedman interviewed Lois B. Feinblatt on March 21, 2001, in Baltimore, Maryland, as part of the Weaving Women's Words Oral History Project. Feinblatt talks about her background, including experiences of growing up in a segregated Baltimore, her college years, marriage and motherhood during World War II, her career in welfare and later as a psychotherapist, and reflects on her Jewish practice and the Jewish community in Baltimore. [ ![Merle Feld, 2010](/sites/default/files/styles/scale_crop_168x168/public/mediaobjects/Merle_Feld_author_photo.jpg?itok=oEq7R44h "Merle Feld, 2010") ](/oralhistories/feld-merle) ## [Merle Feld](/oralhistories/feld-merle) Project Women Who Dared Judith Rosenbaum interviewed Merle Feld on July 19, 2000, in Northampton, Massachusetts, as part of the Women Who Dared Oral History Project. Feld recounts her upbringing in Brooklyn, her involvement in the Jewish community, her work in facilitating Israeli-Palestinian dialogue, and the profound impact of her activism on her life and career as a writer and public figure. ## [Michael Ferrand](/oralhistories/ferrand-michael) Project Katrina's Jewish Voices Rosalind Hinton interviewed Michael Ferrand on November 1, 2006, in New Orleans, Louisiana, as part of the Katrina’s Jewish Voices Project. Ferrand shares his Jewish upbringing, experiences studying in Jerusalem, relocation to New Orleans, involvement in the local Jewish community, and his bike shop while attending Anshe Sfard synagogue. [ ![Joan Feynman](/sites/default/files/styles/scale_crop_168x168/public/mediaobjects/joan_feynman.jpg?itok=mLwTHaaP) ](/oralhistories/feynman-joan) ## [Joan Feynman](/oralhistories/feynman-joan) Project General Jayne Guberman interviewed Joan Feynman on January 16, 2013, in Pasadena, California, as part of the Jewish Women’s Archive General Oral History Project. Astrophysicist Feynman talks about researching solar phenomena, fighting for gender equality in science, and conducting groundbreaking research on solar radiation and climate change, earning prestigious accolades for her exceptional achievements. ## [Helen Fine](/oralhistories/fine-helen) Project Women Whose Lives Span the Century Helen Fine recounts her upbringing in an immigrant Jewish family in Roxbury, her decades-long career teaching in Boston public schools and Hebrew education at Temple Israel, and how her teaching methods, community life, and personal experiences led her to create influential Jewish educational plays and books. ## [Sally Finestone](/oralhistories/finestone-sally) Project Boston Women Rabbis Ronda Spinak interviewed Rabbi Sally Finestone on March 29, 2014, in West Newton, Massachusetts, as part of the Boston Women’s Rabbis Oral History Project. Rabbi Finestone discusses her path to becoming a rabbi, the challenges she faced as a woman in a male-dominated field, her work in Hillel, her role as a mother, her relationship with God, and her pride in her accomplishments as a rabbi and educator. [ ![Dr. Ruth Finkelstein](/sites/default/files/styles/scale_crop_168x168/public/mediaobjects/finkelstein.jpg?itok=m3aJR1-9 "Dr. Ruth Finkelstein") ](/oralhistories/finkelstein-ruth) ## [Ruth Finkelstein](/oralhistories/finkelstein-ruth) Project Weaving Women's Words Marcie Cohen Ferris interviewed Dr. Ruth Finkelstein on August 30, 2001, in Baltimore, Maryland, as part of the Weaving Women's Words project. Dr. Finkelstein reflects on her upbringing in New York City, her journey as a female medical student, her experiences as an obstetrician, balancing career and family life, and her engagement in the Jewish community and organizations like Planned Parenthood. ## [Martha Finn](/oralhistories/finn-martha) Project Women Whose Lives Span the Century Ellen Meisel interviewed Martha Goldstein Finn on January 13th, 1997 in Boston Massachusetts as part of the project Women Whose Lives Span the Century. Finn discusses her early life in Dorchester, her college experience in the 1920s and 1930s, the challenges faced by women in the workforce at the time, her family life, including adopting a child, and her involvement in volunteer and community work, particularly with ORT and Temple Israel. ## [Selma Finstein](/oralhistories/finstein-selma) Project Women Whose Lives Span the Century Betsy Friedman Abrams and Roberta Burstein interviewed Selma Gross Finstein on September 30, 1997, in Waltham, Massachusetts, as part of Women Whose Lives Spanned The Century Oral History Project. Finstein discusses growing up in a predominantly non-Jewish area, her involvement in Temple Israel, her education at Boston Teacher's College and teaching at the Boston Public Library, her second career at Brandeis, and the influential people in her life. [ ![Bess Fishman](/sites/default/files/styles/scale_crop_168x168/public/mediaobjects/fishman.jpg?itok=ifEB4eLb "Bess Fishman") ](/oralhistories/fishman-bess) ## [Bess Fishman](/oralhistories/fishman-bess) Project Weaving Women's Words Elaine Eff interviewed Bess Fischman on May 30 and June 8, 2001, in Baltimore, Maryland, as part of the Weaving Women's Words oral history project. Fishman shares memories of her childhood, family, Jewish observance, marriage, and involvement in Jewish organizations and the Zionist movement, being involved with the Beth T’filoh Sisterhood and visiting Israel. [ ![Nadia Fradkova](/sites/default/files/styles/scale_crop_168x168/public/mediaobjects/nadiafradkova.jpg?itok=JzGP3Dlz "Nadia Fradkova") ](/oralhistories/fradkova-nadia) ## [Nadia Fradkova](/oralhistories/fradkova-nadia) Project Soviet Jewry Nadia Fradkova was interviewed in Massachusetts as part of the Soviet Jewry Oral History Project. Fradkova shares her experiences of growing up in the Soviet Union, facing antisemitism, resistance from her father, imprisonment in a labor camp and psychiatric hospital, and eventually immigrating to Israel and the United States. [ ![Ruth Jungster Frankel](/sites/default/files/styles/scale_crop_168x168/public/mediaobjects/frankel2_0.jpg?itok=2oI1FozB "Ruth Jungster Frankel") ](/oralhistories/frankel-ruth) ## [Ruth Jungster Frankel](/oralhistories/frankel-ruth) Project Weaving Women's Words Pamela Brown Lavitt interviewed Ruth Jungster Frankel on August 7 and 15, 2001, in Seattle, Washington, as part of the Weaving Women’s Words project. Frankel reflects on her experiences growing up in Germany, witnessing Hitler's rise to power, immigrating to the United States, involvement at Temple Herzi, her husband's Alzheimer's, and her engagement in Jewish camps, trips to Israel, and the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s. ## [David Freedman](/oralhistories/freedman-david) Project Katrina's Jewish Voices Rosalind Hinton interviewed David Freedman on December 8, 2006, in New Orleans, Louisiana, as part of Katrina's Jewish Voices Oral History Project. Freedman shares his journey from New Orleans to California, his rediscovery of Judaism and passion for text study, his experience during Hurricane Katrina, his involvement with WWOZ radio station, and his efforts to rebuild the city through community radio. ## [Beatrice Freedman](/oralhistories/freedman-beatrice) Project Women Whose Lives Span the Century Beatrice Freedman reflects on growing up in an immigrant Jewish family in Boston, navigating the Great Depression, education, marriage, motherhood, evolving views on women's independence, and decades of civic and Jewish communal engagement while documenting the social changes that shaped twentieth-century Jewish life in the Greater Boston area. ## [Ilona Friedman](/oralhistories/friedman-ilona) Project General Isadora Kianovsky interviewed Ilona Friedman on July 30, 2022, in Tampa, Florida, as part of the Jewish Women’s Archive General Oral History Project. Friedman discusses her childhood in Budapest, her family's experiences during World War II, immigration to the United States, her education and career in the medical field, her relationship to Judaism and music, her travels to Israel and Russia, and recent volunteer work. [ ![Rabbi Ronne Friedman](/sites/default/files/styles/scale_crop_168x168/public/mediaobjects/rabbironnefriedman.jpg?itok=T9mFi-45 "Rabbi Ronne Friedman") ](/oralhistories/friedman-ronne) ## [Ronne Friedman](/oralhistories/friedman-ronne) Project Soviet Jewry Gabriel Weinstein, Tamar Shachaf Schneider, and Aaron Hirsch interviewed Ronne Friedman on November 15, 2016, in Brookline, Massachusetts, as part of the Soviet Jewry Oral History Project. Rabbi Friedman discusses Temple Israel's involvement in the Soviet Jewry movement, missions to the USSR, a tense encounter with customs agents, reconnecting with the Charney family, outreach efforts by Temple Israel, and a meaningful encounter in St. Petersburg. 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