Dear Haverim,
When Irving Howe wrote his incredibly popular and award-winning book “The World Of Our Fathers” almost 50 years ago, he described the difficult, but ultimately successful journey of Eastern European Jews to America and the new life that they created here. But who wrote even more complete and inclusive stories about the women? Zelda Popkin!
Beginning in 1938, Zelda first wrote the Mary Carner crime series, but then delved into the history of American Jews, the Holocaust, and the State of Israel through a number of novels and an autobiography.
As a proud feminist, a journalist for the “New Yorker,” and as an author, Zelda wrote about the great events in the world around her, including combatting anti-Semites like Henry Ford and Father Coughlin.
She wrote one of the earliest American novels about the Holocaust after visiting the Displaced Persons (DP) Camps and, after a trip to Israel, the first novel in any language about its creation.
Her life was as interesting as her books and, this Friday night, at our 7:00 p.m. Shabbat services, the distinguished historian, Professor Jeremy Popkin, will tell the fascinating story of 20th century Jewish women through the life and writings of his own grandmother, Zelda Popkin.
As described in his latest book, “Zelda Popkin: The Life And Times Of An American Jewish Woman Writer,” we will learn about 20th century American women’s history and 20th century American Jewish history. His book combines the love and fascination of a grandson with the critical search for truth about Zelda that a distinguished historian demands of himself.
Jeremy D. Popkin holds the William T. Bryan Chair in History at the University of Kentucky. He received his B.A. and Ph.D. degrees from the University of California, Berkeley and holds an A.M. degree from Harvard University. His scholarly interests include the history of the French revolution, autobiographical literature, and American Jewish history. He has also written over a dozen books and 175 scholarly articles.
Prof. Popkin has held fellowships from the J.S. Guggenheim Foundation, National Humanities Center, National Endowment for the Humanities, Fulbright Foundation, Institute for Advanced Studies, and the Newberry Library, and has been a visiting professor at Brown University, the College de France, and many other universities. He teaches courses on the French Revolution, Europe, Modern Jewish History, and the Holocaust.
So, please join us this Friday evening at 7:00 p.m. for Shabbat services. (Click here to RSVP for our in-person services. If you want to watch on Livestream, there’s no need to RSVP – just click the link on our homepage at the time of the service or anytime thereafter.) We will also say Kaddish for those tragically killed in Maui as we did last Shabbat, as well.
One more note. On the following Friday, August 25, at 5:00 p.m., before our 6:00 p.m. BBQ Shabbat dinner and 7:00 p.m. Shabbat Alive services, I’ll be speaking at an “Introduction to Reconstructionism and University Synagogue” for prospective members. Please invite your friends – who are unaffiliated or under-affiliated – to learn about our vibrant and humanistic approach to Judaism as well as the services, activities, events, learning opportunities for adults and children, and friendships that University Synagogue offers. Reach out to them personally and, if you wish, join them at our “Intro” hour. Please have them RSVP ASAP (click here).
I look forward to seeing you this Friday evening, August 18, the beginning of Elul, the final month of the Jewish year, just 4 weeks before Rosh Hashanah! How time flies!
Shavua tov/Have a wonderful week,
Rabbi Arnie Rachlis
