A significant aspect in the rise to prominence of American Jewry has been the participation of the community’s women. Many American Jewish women made contributions through voluntarism. Shoshana Cardin is a shining representative of and model for such leadership. As a young wife and mother, she fought segregation as an activist with the Order of the Eastern Star, served as a delegate to her state’s constitutional convention, took part in local political campaigns, and worked for her children’s
PTA. Later, she racked up a series of
“firsts” in Jewish voluntarism. She was the first woman to chair The Associated Jewish Community Federation of Baltimore, the Council of Jewish Federations (now
UJC), and the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations. Her career involved her in the fight for Russian Jewish immigration, the
“Who is a Jew?” controversy, and the disagreement with the first President Bush over loan guarantees for Israel. She met with heads of state, generals, and celebrities of every type. Cardin herself became nationally and internationally known.
Cardin recalls an immigrant childhood, characterized by a traditional, but not religious background and a loyalty to the Jewish people and Labor Zionism. She credits her upbringing with shaping her strong sense of self. Her voluntarism has its roots in Jewish values, such as family and tradition.
Since withdrawing from the world spotlight, Shoshana Cardin has focused on the needs of her local community. She has sponsored initiatives in Jewish leadership training and is on the board of a community Hebrew high school which bears her name. This work should have wide appeal. Cardin has a warm style, and she is engagingly frank. She has much to say to women balancing career and family. Among subjects discussed are American studies, Jewish history, politics, philanthropy, feminism, and leadership. Appendix, black and white photos, notes.
