At HIAS, the Jewish community's global refugee agency, we describe the evolution of our mission as going from helping refugees because they were Jewish to helping refugees because we are Jewish. In Three Groundbreaking Jewish Feminists: Pursuing Social Justice, Dr. Sharon Leder takes us into the lives of three inspiring women, all leaders in human rights and social justice, and explores how their being Jewish influenced their own journeys for justice. This book should be reading for anyone - male or female, Jewish or gentile - interested in making a difference while on this planet and in making that difference with the empathy.

A profound meditation on the meaning of Judaism, social justice, and identity politics in the twentieth century, through the extraordinary lives of three Jewish women activists-- Gerda Lerner, Susana Wald, and Ruth W. Messinger. . . . A memorable read impossible to put down.

Well written, reads smoothly and expressively, I think this is a really interesting book for women of all ages - Jewish or otherwise, academic or not or simply “women”. Through this book, I have learned new things about myself and others’ generations.

This is a very interesting book and certainly out of the ordinay and that is something I really like. The first thing that called my attention was the title: “Three Groundbreaking Jewish Feminists” and this is why I decided to buy it.

Gerda Lerner, Susan Wald, and Ruth Messinger share being outsiders and universalists with Tillie Olsen, Albert Camus, and Richard Wright. The three feminists have very strong Jewish values. Their fascinating life stories are told with love by Professor Sharon Ledder in this important new book. Tom Rose

I really loved reading this great book, written by the very accomplished author Sharon Leader. This is truly an amazing piece of work that taught me about the existence of three very inspirational Jewish woman, named Gerda Lerner, Susan Wald and Ruth Messinger, who were all leaders in human rights and social justice.

Can one be committed to Jewish particularism-concerned with Jewish well-being and survival-as well as to universalist values of justice and equality for all peoples? In this fascinating study of three exemplary Jewish feminists, two of whom are Holocaust survivors, Sharon Leder explores how each woman wrestles with this question. Each one draws on her particular experience and professional field‒history, art, and international relations‒to arrive at a commitment to humanitarian service.

The book introduces itself by clarifying something from the start: this book is not about Jews and their traditions. It doesn’t explain the meaning of the Sabbath; it doesn’t break down the rules of kosher-eating. It is about discussing Judaism as a social system –a brilliant and novel idea, for me!

Because of your research and beautiful writing I have "met" three women whose lives are so inspiring. I especially found the quote by Lila Watson to be life-changing for me. "If you have come to help me you are wasting your time.

Sharon Leder provides insights into the Jewish values of three groundbreaking feminists and the expansive work they performed in supporting and lifting up women and people in need of all cultures. Dr. Leder’s connections to these women and the way she shares their lives and struggles, inspired me to expand my social justice reach beyond the Jewish community. I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in learning about women who create and keep a strong sense of self, and move through life’s most difficult challenges creating change in their lives as well as the lives of many others.

For anyone who has experienced trauma and longs to transform it into a lesson to improve social good, Sharon Leder's book is a must-read. Timely and inspirational!