Research Tools for the Study of Jewish Women

Dina Ripsman Eylon

"...after visiting your web site I thought you could maybe help me, I'm a student, and I'm trying to write about -the feminism and reform women in the U.S.A. if by any chance you have any articles concern that issue, I'll be glad if you send them to me, to this mail address..."

"My name is xxx, I am interested about the life of WOMEN IN JUDAISM. Please indicate me how can I find articles dealing with Jewish women in biblical time. I am especially interested concerning the role of women in the ancient Jewish family. In which meaning they were submitted to their husband? Why it was considered that a man is the head of woman? Why they had to cover their head and in which way they did it? I would like to understand more the biblical expressions. Thank you, xxx." [Not edited]

The two passages above are just a sample of queries that I receive on a regular basis. As you may know, Women in Judaism comprises of three e-publications, updated twice a year. We don't have an information center, nor do we have personnel to help readers with their individual research projects. Declining these and many other queries breaks my heart because I know we don’t have the resources to help the readers and I have no idea on how their projects turn out. This situation has prompted me to search for a solution, to try to offer an alternative for a void - a place to get accurate information and leads to existing web (and print) sources. The Step-by-Step Guide to Research on Jewish Women is the result of this effort. The guide offers primary and secondary sources that are available in English for the novice researcher. In addition, I compiled a list of Internet sources that can be of great help for anyone who's interested in Jewish women in particular, and Judaism in general. (An understanding of androcentric [male centered] Jewish history, religion and literature is critical to the understanding of the lives of Jewish women and their role throughout time.) I have checked closely all the directories, articles, bibliographies and links, which are listed below. For your convenience, most items are annotated and somewhat summarized. You should be able to get the bulk of your research by following the instructions in the Step-by-Step Guide to Research on Jewish Women and then by using the recommended web sources.