Pauline Wengeroff

Memoirs of a Grandmother

Scenes from the Cultural History of the Jews of Russia in the Nineteenth Century, Volume Two
Übersetzer: Magnus, Shulamit S

• Gebundenes Buch

Produktbeschreibung

This is the second volume of an unabridged, critical edition of Pauline Wengeroff's "Memoirs of a Grandmother," the only full-scale memoir by a woman to chronicle Russian Jewish society's shift from traditionalism to modernity through the experience of women and families.

Produktdetails

• Verlag: Stanford University Press
• Seitenzahl: 240
• Erscheinungstermin: 17. September 2014
• Englisch
• Abmessung: 236mm x 156mm x 27mm
• Gewicht: 494g
• ISBN-13: 9780804768801
• ISBN-10: 0804768803
• Artikelnr.: 40921138

Autorenporträt

Shulamit S. Magnus is Associate Professor of Jewish Studies at Oberlin College. Her edition of the first volume of Wengeroff's Memoirs of a Grandmother won the National Jewish Book Award for Women's Studies (2011).

Inhaltsangabe

Memoirs of a Grandmother: Scenes from the Cultural History of the Jews of
Russia in the Nineteenth Century, Volume Two
Author(s): Pauline Wengeroff. Translated with an Introduction, Notes, and
Commentary by Shulamit S. Magnus
This book is an unabridged translation and critical edition of Pauline
Wengeroff's Memoirs of a Grandmother. Situated in the second half of the
nineteenth century, the volume tells the story of the dissolution of
tradition in Russian Jewish society through the experience of one family,
which Wengeroff depicts as typical and representative. Wengeroff claims
there was a gendered disparity in the behavior of women and men about
Jewish tradition in this era, with women both wedded to tradition and
wishing to adopt the best of European culture, and men recklessly
abandoning Jewish culture and forcing women to do the same, also denying
children Jewish education. The result, she claims, was a devastating
cultural loss because of women's loss of domestic power. The volume is an
epic tale of cultural, marital, and intergenerational struggle, loss, and
possibly redemption by century's end, in Wengeroff's hope for a reclaimed
culture in a new generation seeking Jewish memory.
Introduction
Chapter abstract:
This introduction provides background to the era depicted in this volume
and an analysis of Wengeroff's narrative claims and strategies in crafting
this work as she does.
1
Preface
Chapter abstract:
Pauline Wengeroff sets the scene for the second volume of her memoirs,
which begins with her engagement, wedding, and the early years of marital
bliss, seen specifically through the lens of the Jewish family. It
continues, however, with the introduction of discord, ushered in by a new
way of life and new values. Wengeroff speaks of writing her memoirs and her
desire to share it with a younger generation. She thanks Dr. Gustav
Karpeles, who is responsible for its publication and reprints two brief
letters he wrote her regarding the memoirs.
2
The Second Period of the Enlightenment
Chapter abstract:
Situated in the second half of the nineteenth century, Memoirs tells the
story of the dissolution of tradition in Russian Jewish society through the
experience of one family. This chapter depicts the unfolding of Jewish
enlightenment in the 1840s and its social impact.
3
My Engagement
Chapter abstract:
Situated in the second half of the nineteenth century, Memoirs tells the
story of the dissolution of tradition in Russian Jewish society through the
experience of one family. This chapter describes traditional and arranged
marriages.
4
My Bridal Year
Chapter abstract:
Situated in the second half of the nineteenth century, Memoirs tells the
story of the dissolution of tradition in Russian Jewish society through the
experience of one family. This chapter includes a depiction of dowry and
preparations for a traditional marriage.
5
Arrival in Konotop. Wedding.
Chapter abstract:
Situated in the second half of the nineteenth century, Memoirs tells the
story of the dissolution of tradition in Russian Jewish society through the
experience of one family. This chapter depicts the arrival of and the
accommodation to patrilocal marriage, as well as marriage rituals in a
Ukrainian town.
6
Four Years in my In-Law's House
Chapter abstract:
Situated in the second half of the nineteenth century, Memoirs tells the
story of the dissolution of tradition in Russian Jewish society through the
experience of one family. This chapter depicts Wengeroff's newlywed life,
her help in running an inn, and marital happiness.
7
The Transformation
Chapter abstract:
Situated in the second half of the nineteenth century, Memoirs tells the
story of the dissolution of tradition in Russian Jewish society through the
experience of one family. This chapter describes Wengeroff's husband's loss
of faith while on a pilgrimage to a Hasidic master and Wengeroff's
consternation over this loss. It also depicts the beginning of marital
strife over religion, as well as the birth of her children.
8
Further Destinies Unfold
Chapter abstract:
Situated in the second half of the nineteenth century, Memoirs tells the
story of the dissolution of tradition in Russian Jewish society through the
experience of one family. This chapter shows the Wengeroffs moving out of
the home of Mr. Wengeroff's parents and living on their own. It details the
beginnings of their wanderings and depicts Luben.
9
Alexander II
Chapter abstract:
Situated in the second half of the nineteenth century, Memoirs tells the
story of the dissolution of tradition in Russian Jewish society through the
experience of one family. This chapter depicts the ascension of Alexander
II and the liberalizing reforms of Jewish status.
10
My Wise Mother Said Two Things
Chapter abstract:
Situated in the second half of the nineteenth century, Memoirs tells the
story of the dissolution of tradition in Russian Jewish society through the
experience of one family. This chapter describes the sense of inevitability
about the loss of tradition in the younger generation, cultural slippage,
and the loss of parental control.
11
Kovno
Chapter abstract:
Situated in the second half of the nineteenth century, Memoirs tells the
story of the dissolution of tradition in Russian Jewish society through the
experience of one family. This chapter depicts assimilating Jewish society
and ultra-Orthodox (mussar) Jewish society, the rejection of modernity,
tensions between husbands and wives over tradition, and the conflicting
behavior of husbands and wives over Sabbath observance.
12
Vilna
Chapter abstract:
Situated in the second half of the nineteenth century, Memoirs tells the
story of the dissolution of tradition in Russian Jewish society through the
experience of one family. This chapter depicts Jewish society in more
traditional Vilna, the effects on Wengeroff's husband, and the family's
continuing economic troubles.
13
Helsingfors
Chapter abstract:
Situated in the second half of the nineteenth century, Memoirs tells the
story of the dissolution of tradition in Russian Jewish society through the
experience of one family. This chapter depicts life in a fortress on the
Finnish coast, Jewish life and isolation, the personal loneliness of
Pauline Wengeroff, and the economic struggle of the family.
14
Petersburg
Chapter abstract:
Situated in the second half of the nineteenth century, Memoirs tells the
story of the dissolution of tradition in Russian Jewish society through the
experience of one family. This chapter depicts the capital of Petersburg,
in which Jewish settlement is new. It also describes extreme assimilation,
family rifts, marital tension over tradition, and the expulsion from school
of the Wengeroffs' son over Jewish observance.
15
The Dangerous Operation: The Reform of My Kitchen
Chapter abstract:
Situated in the second half of the nineteenth century, Memoirs tells the
story of the dissolution of tradition in Russian Jewish society through the
experience of one family. This chapter depicts the traumatic relinquishing
of the observance of Jewish dietary laws, the sense of betrayal by her
husband that Wengeroff felt, her guilt toward her parents, and her general
grief.
16
The Third Generation
Chapter abstract:
Situated in the second half of the nineteenth century, Memoirs tells the
story of the dissolution of tradition in Russian Jewish society through the
experience of one family. This chapter describes a prophecy that
Wengeroff's mother had that came true, as well as the conversion of her two
sons in light of the anti-Jewish educational and professional
discrimination they experienced and the lack of meaningful Jewish education
and experience.
17
The Death of My Husband
Chapter abstract:
Situated in the second half of the nineteenth century, Memoirs tells the
story of the dissolution of tradition in Russian Jewish society through the
experience of one family. This chapter includes an anguished depiction of
the death of Wengeroff's husband. She details his funeral, her loss, and
her grief.