Source: "Aus der Welt der Frau", Israelitisches Familienblatt.
Old-new Tasks for the Jewish Woman in Germany
We write in April 1934. For a year now, we German Jews have been painfully seeking a new inner order. There is less and less whining and more and more purpose; some good things have also happened. But there remains much, endlessly much that has to happen if our generation wishes to bequeath a well-preserved patrimony and new earthly possessions to the generation now growing up. And in the hands of the Jewish woman rest a large share of the rescue and renewal of the community.... While the men struggle for all of our lives and rights, we have the quieter but nonetheless vital task of being holder, preserver and caretaker of our heritage and of the new generation. Through the contraction of our lives to the smaller community, through the stronger emphasis on domestic exertions, the Jewish woman in Germany moves [ruedt] self evidently into a new-old sphere of duties and tasks. She gives bread to the poor; indeed we are today in some sense all poor and needing the caring hand...
What is needed now for our girls is to create new vocational opportunities and appropriate new educational opportunities. The school question cannot be solved even at the local level without the intensive support of women. The welfare of the communities lies on their shoulders, care for children and youth, medical services; whatever is included in the realm of the "mitzvot", relies heavily on the positive co-operation of women. The Jewish woman also sits in the representative assembly of her community [Gemeinde] - she wants to share responsibility for its welfare. She is also, above all, called to participate in the Jewish Cultural League, which is developing beautifully. Her voice must be respected on matters of program organisation, the spiritual nourishment of the Jewish people, above all Jewish Youth. Her voice - not combative, always critical, but everywhere, including at the meeting table, as if she were at her table at home - should be the voice of honesty and harmony.
In this most difficult question of educating Jewish youth, one has to be able to count on the Jewish woman and her heart. We should not surrender to quick solutions. We must endeavour that, out of this time of sorrow and loneliness, a decent Jewish youth should grow; sound in health, athletic in bearing, with no trace of the ghetto and above all upright in their souls, with confidence in the love of God and man. Your lights, Jewish women, your lights must shine into this darkness. You must remind men and youths alike that the Shalom alechem [Friedensgruss] of our forefathers was not an empty phrase. It must sound new and strong in our midst, with decisiveness and purpose. A year ago, a highly respected rabbi, speaking to his community on Passover, stated that the times demand more from us than just coping, and should be lived ΓÇ£as an exampleΓÇ¥ for the next generations. To set such an example, as our forefathers gave us examples of commitment, patience and endurance, demands a great deal of us. But we do not lack examples of women's courage and effectiveness in hard times. If we could just live like that! Setting an example, in the deepest sense, means nothing other than the exalted high claim made for the creation of man: that we were created "B'zalmo", in his image - as an affirmation and symbol of the divine itself, the sacred and blessed power of God. To live like that is worth all the hardship.
