This detailed history traces the experiences of Jewish women from immigration to settlement in the American West. Abrams describes the journey from Europe to America and explores the reasons Jewish women left the major Jewish centers on the East Coast for the western states and territories. She focuses on their accomplishments, particularly the development of Jewish institutions, charitable organizations, and businesses that contributed to the establishment of prosperous families and communities.
Jewish Women Pioneering the Frontier Trail benefits greatly from the author’s extensive work with primary materials from the lives of Jewish women out West. Although the meticulous research at times distracts from moving the narrative forward, Abrams’ scholarship has certainly provided a strong foundation for future researchers in this field.
The exhaustive bibliography and helpful notes will be of particular interest to researchers, whether of Jewish women’s history or the history of the American West. However, the casual reader will also appreciate this outstanding reference resource. Bibliography, index, notes.
