Ha’ischa, Orgaan van de Joodse Vrouwenraad in Nederland – “Ha’ischa – The Jewish Women’s Council in the Netherlands” – A bulletin of the Jewish Women’s Councils in the Netherlands. Seven volumes of complete issues written by women and prominent Jewish public figures in the Netherlands, focusing on Jewish women and the mood within the Jewish people during the critical years leading up to World War II, as waves of anti-Semitism rose across Europe, particularly in the Netherlands. Consecutive issues (95 issues bound in seven volumes, except for issue number 2 from 1938). Amsterdam, 1932–1939. Dutch.
A rare Dutch magazine edited by women and written for Jewish women, featuring a variety of articles on the role of Jewish women in social activities in the Netherlands, the cultural life of the Jewish girl, the image of the Jewish woman, documentation of social gatherings of Jewish women, the activities of the WIZO women’s organization in the Netherlands, the future of Judaism, Jewish holidays, and more. Significant sections of the issues from 1933 cover the rise of Hitler to power, with articles discussing the fate of German Jewry, possibilities for their immigration to Eretz Israel
“1933 will likely be the peak year for immigration to Eretz Israel, ” was written at the beginning of the year. Articles appear on the role of Jews in the German economy, and more. Additionally, an important section in the later issues from 1936 onwards includes numerous articles about the rise of anti-Semitism in Europe, its horrifying manifestations, and ways to confront it.
Chava Diner researched this unique phenomenon: “Within the Jewish-Dutch press body between the two world wars, the emergence of a women’s magazine edited solely by women for a female readership was an exceptional phenomenon… ‘Ha’ischa’ is a monthly for the educated or semi-educated Jewish middle-class woman. It refers to a housewife or a professional, married or single, who, in addition to her daily occupations, is interested in voluntary social work and is expected to be involved in her community’s affairs: the child, the girl in distress, the elderly, the needy, the refugee, the disabled, and the exceptional. She is culturally interested…, but above all, she is expected to be alert to the current issues of the Jewish world: assimilation, anti-Semitism, Zionism, and Eretz Israel” (Chava Diner, “Ha’ischa – A Unique Women’s Magazine, ” in “Kesher, ” Issue No. 12, November 1992).
Provenance: Willy Lindewer Collection with his private bookplate on the pre-title pages.
95 issues in seven volumes, approximately 27 cm. A few pages with missing tears or clipped sections. Overall condition: Good.
