Pulling at threads 

In Eastern Europe – home for several centuries to the world's largest Jewish population – Jewish women served their communities as professional ritualists and religious leaders. This website documents some of the most common and important women's religious roles, through primary and secondary sources in English translation. Unless otherwise stated, all of the translations are my own. 

To read about a particular women's profession, click on one of the links above. The Yizkor page will show you sources relating to real, remembered women. The tkhines, klogenishn and opshprekhenishn page will show you sources containing examples of the prayers, laments and incantations they used. To read more about me and this project, click here. 

 

You can also learn more in this recent article in feminism and religion. 
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