Gerda Lerner was a Jewish feminist interested in race who was a member of the Communist Party and denied that she belonged to the CP until she published her autobiography, Fireweed. Jewish woman feminist--Holocaust survivor we understand--but adding in her chosen political identity, CP member, is central to understanding Gerda--her ability to speak to crowds, the intensity of her feeling about causes, the significance of African American history to her work. We should not hide from our Jewish women Communist forebears, however many their blindspots and failings, but try to understand why they embraced that particular brand of faith/calling, what it meant for them, and why it failed them and us.
Gerda Lerner was a Jewish feminist interested in race who was a member of the Communist Party and denied that she belonged to the CP until she published her autobiography, Fireweed. Jewish woman feminist--Holocaust survivor we understand--but adding in her chosen political identity, CP member, is central to understanding Gerda--her ability to speak to crowds, the intensity of her feeling about causes, the significance of African American history to her work. We should not hide from our Jewish women Communist forebears, however many their blindspots and failings, but try to understand why they embraced that particular brand of faith/calling, what it meant for them, and why it failed them and us.