In class we discussed Abraham Mapu who wrote the first hebrew novel. Please read the following articles about Sarah Foner - http://jewishmag.com/45mag/froner/froner.htm, http://jwa.org/encyclopedia/article/foner-sarah-feiga-meinkin, and http://www.fonerbooks.com/translat.htm and answer the following questions:
(1) Who was Sarah Foner and why is she a significant figure?
(2) What are her famous works?
(3) What activities did she take part in?
(4) What is Sarah Foner's connection to Zionism?
Sarah Foner was the first woman to publish a novel in Hebrew. It was called "Love of the Righteous" and she published it when she was only 26 years old. During this period in Jewish history, Hebrew novels were scarce and people who could read Hebrew were even scarcer. She met many bumps on the road to success, including the male authors who were not happy to have a woman thrown into the midst of competition. She traveled all over Europe and America, fighting for her beliefs in Judaism and Zionism. She firmly believed in Zionism and wanted there to be more of an orthodox aspect. She was a strong supporter of Haskalah as well, disapproving of those who did not educate their children in secular studies. She published many books throughout her writing career, including "The Children's Path", "The Treachery of Traitors", "The Woman's Revolt", and more. During her childhood she was brought up in a home full of Torah study. Eventually, she would come to establish the Daughters of Zion Society, an institution for young Jewish girls that gave them the opportunity to learn Hebrew and Jewish history. Sarah Foner marked an important part of the history leading up to the establishment of Israel. Her hard work, dedication, and commitment to Judaism and Zionism earned her the esteemed role in history we know her as today.
ReplyDeleteSarah Foner was born in Riga, in 1854, to parents Joseph and Sheina. As a child, her parents fostered her in a Torah-rich environment, promoting Jewish learning. At the age of twenty-six, she published a book in Hebrew, called "Love of the Righteous," marking a momentous point in Jewish history, as she was the first woman to publish a novel in Hebrew. The novel told the story of a religious Jewish woman, intent on marrying for true love. Although her novel portrayed an unbreakable intimate connection, Sarah experienced a disastrous marriage, leaving her destitute and bearing a child. She then married another man who did not share the same Torah ideals and values as her.
ReplyDeleteSarah Foner's famous works include: "Love of the Righteous,"The Children's Path," "The Treachery of Traitors," "Memories From My Childhood Days," and "The Women's Revolt." A story of hers was also featured in the American journal, Shaharut.
Sarah Foner was an enormous supporter of Zionism. However, she also promoted the incorporation Jewish values into her works and Zionistic views, as shown in numerous Torah references included in her works. She strongly encouraged the study of the Hebrew language. Since Sarah experienced the Haskala, she also believed in maintaining a balance between Jewish and secular studies. While there should be an immense amount of Torah study, Sarah also wished that more would be educated in secular studies.
Sarah partook in events advocating for Zionism. She desired that everyone would be educated with Torah values. She established the Daughters of Zion Society, for young Jewish girls to be able to study Hebrew and Jewish history.
Sarah spent the remainder of her life living in the home of her son in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She is considered a prominent figure in developing the ideas of Zionism, while maintaining Jewish values.
Sarah Foner's story really fascinated me. Over the past few days in our Judaic classes, we have been discussing our role in modern society. Are we more Hellenistic or Jewish? I think that Sarah Foner really demonstrated a "perfect merge." While she encouraged the study of secular subjects, she still strongly believed in Torah values. This is an ideal balance. The Haskala didn't mean to be a time for Jews to forget their identity. In fact, their identity could grow stronger as they embarked and learned new things about G-d's world. By being open to new ideas, they received this opportunity.
Sarah Foner was the earliest and most prolific female Hebrew fiction writer during Haskalah in Russia. She wrote the first novel written in Hebrew by a female called "Love of the Righteous" when she was only 26 years old. The book adressed things she cared about, such as the role of Jewish women, while infusing it with the style of early 19th century romance.
ReplyDeleteSarah voiced her beliefs and opinion through her writing. She was a very strong Zionist and wanted the Orthodox community to participate in Zionism. She wrote a memoir about growing up called "From Memories of My Childhood Days" which showed her strong support of Zionism and criticized religious intolerance. Sarah Foner felt especially strong about Jews' unwillingness to live peacefully with one another, even while living under the threat of violence from the Russians and the Polish. Sarah also wrote a short story called "The Children's Path" and a historical fiction novel called "The Treachery of Traitors".
Foner was a very active Zionist. She founded the Daughters of Zion Society to educate young Jewish women in Jewish history and Hebrew. She also attended a Zionist conference before leaving Europe. Sarah Foner's strong belief in Zionism and acclaimed novels contributed to her role in Haskalah and the Zionistic Movement.