Abstract
‘Despite all obstacles, our [women’s] movement progressed because we knew that you have to take power, that no one gives it to you voluntarily. And that you can take it only if you know how to educate.’ This bold assertion about Jewish women’s rights in Poland by the Zionist activist Puah Rakovsky over a century ago captures the indefatigable spirit of Paula Hyman, who introduced the former’s memoirs to a new generation of readers.¹ It was my privilege to meet her early in my career and to co-edit a volume of Polin devoted to ‘Jewish Women in Eastern Europe’ with