The Rebbetzin of Mea-She’arim: Hasidism and Gender in the Old Yishuv

• In Event: Women in Hasidism: New Perspectives Beyond the Debate

Abstract

The scholarly discourse on women in Hasidism has predominantly centered on historical facts and literary portrayals, often highlighting exceptional women who played active roles throughout the movement's history. Periodically, attention is drawn to previously unknown female figures, generating discussions about women's place in Hasidic courts or spiritual leadership. However, this cycle of rediscovery seems to have reached a point of diminishing returns, lacking fresh perspectives or innovations.
In this paper, I aim to introduce a lesser-known female figure, diverging from the conventional discourse by contextualizing her within specific historical frameworks. I will focus on the life of Sarah Shlomtze Eichenstein-Rubin (1862-1946), an extraordinary individual who served as a Hasidic rebbetzin in Mandatory Palestine. Drawing from previously unexplored sources (archival materials, newspapers, and more), I will reconstruct her life story, public engagements, and influence on her surroundings. Eichenstein-Rubin stands as a rare example of a Hasidic rebbetzin who left a tangible historical footprint, allowing us to trace her biography without relying exclusively on later interpretations or apologetic traditions.
Against the backdrop of Hasidism's status in the Land of Israel during that era—a distant periphery compared to its cultural centers in Eastern Europe—I will elucidate how this unique context facilitated the emergence of unconventional phenomena. By examining Eichenstein-Rubin's character within this historical milieu, we can gain valuable insights into the evolving dynamics of Hasidic life in the Old Yishuv, and the roles played by women in shaping religious and communal spheres during this period.

Author

• Uriel Gellman, Bar Ilan University