by Rebecca Honig Friedman

Jewesses react to Sarah Palin, and not positively. Most Jewish women don’t like Sarah Palin because, as prominent Jewish writer Ayelet Waldman says, “I resent her co-opting a feminist message in order to achieve a retrograde goal, I resent her pandering to the insecurities of American Jews.” And because, says Lilith magazine editor Susan Weidman Schneider, “She’s the anti-wonk, the anti-intellectual.” [Forward]
And, P.S., it’s not just Jewish women who don’t like Palin, but, says Florida political scientist Ken Wald they especially don’t like her: “among middle-class Jewish career women in particular, there’s a resentment bordering on rage that somebody so obviously unqualified was appointed on the assumption that she would appeal to women.” [Huffington Post]
All true. But when it comes down to it, isn’t it mostly her love of huntin’ which we find so off-puttin’?
(And come to think of it, isn’t it her love of huntin’ combined with her beauty-pageant looks that have won her such high approval ratings amongst men? Hmm…)
Indian-Jewess artist finds home. “Siona Benjamin is a most unusual artist determined to recast Jewish art as a dynamic, cross-cultural phenomenon.” Her work can be seen at two upcoming shows: ‘Lilith in the New World,’ Solo Exhibition at Flomenhaft Gallery, New York (Oct 23- Dec 4, 2008) and in ‘Gathering Sparks: The Midrashic Art of Siona Benjamin’ solo exhibition at The Philadelphia Museum of Jewish Art (Dec 11, 2008 - Feb 11, 2009). [Jewish Press]
And speaking of Indian Jews. A small community of “Bene Menashe” living in Israel struggle to fit in. [Australia Radio]
First-ever Holocaust memorial for little-known heroine. A new memorial has been built in Sydney, Australia for Rosa Robota, who was killed by the Nazis for “spearheading a plot to blow up the crematoria at the Auschwitz death camp.” But before she was hanged, “The revolt managed to blow the roof off one of the crematoria, and precipitated the Nazis destroying the other crematoria as the Russians advanced on the camp.” Why have we never heard of her before? [JTA]
Mother-child HIV transmission in Israel. “The Health Ministry’s policy of not requiring pregnant women - especially those with higher risk of being HIV carriers - to undergo screening for the virus should be changed to reduce the risk of mother-to-infant transmission, according to experts at Hadassah University Medical Center in Jerusalem’s Ein Kerem.” [JPost]
Susan Sarandon caught in middle of Mid-East conflict. Oh what’s an actress to do when her glamorous lifestyle clashes with her espoused activist principles? Palestinian blogger/lawyer/activist Lubna Hammad, along with several pro-Palestinian groups, is accusing activist-actress Susan Sarandon of hypocrisy for attending the gala opening of Israeli-settlement-builder/diamond-mogul Lev Leviev’s New York store, despite requests from these groups that she sever ties with him because of his settlement-building activities. [Arabisto.com]
So you want to raise a Jewess?“Turns out lots of non-Jewish moms are raising children in the Jewish tradition,” and now they can find support for that effort in a class called The Mother’s Circle, “a blend of religion and culture - part Judaism 101 with a dose of ‘how to deal with your Jewish mother-in-law’ - that’s designed for women who want to know more about Jewish traditions and family life.” [OregonLive.com]
…and a solar powered light went off. Profile of the amazing Sivan Achor, a former Jewess-interviewee, and her company Jeiwhs Heart For Africa, which brings Israeli solar technology to produce electricity in African villages. [JPost]
Last chance at Hadassah-WIZO Bazaar… “For the past 84 years, Toronto’s Hadassah-WIZO Bazaar has been a much anticipated annual shopping extravaganza…. Don’t miss the final Bazaar.” [CIC Web]
…but the party’s still kickin’ in Pittsburgh. “It’s what many bargain shoppers wait for all year long – 150 racks of designer deals hand-picked and saved for Designer Dress Days by the National Council of Jewish Women,” who are, of course, known for their impeccable taste in fashion in addition to the fine work they do on behalf of reproductive rights and the like. [KDKA.com]

Posted on October 20th, 2008 Filed under: Roundups |