October 9 Education and Women

1.     What was the mission of the alliance Israelite universelle for Jews living in North Africa and the Middle East?

The Alliance Israelite Universelle pushed for Jewish people to develop a strong education and professional foundation to become excelling members of society. Their first school was opened in Tetuan in 1862, and by the end of the century they established one hundred schools. Francis Malino writes, in The Women Teachers of the Lliance Israelite Universelle, 1872-1940, “… the Alliance set itself the task of “regenerating” the Jews of the world- vocationally, linguistically, morally, and spiritually- through the establishment of modern, intellectually rigorous schools for boys and girls.” “1. To promote, everywhere, the emancipation an moral progress of the Jews; 2. To assist efficaciously those who suffer as Israelites; 3. To encourage any publication which might bring about this result.”

2.     How Does Rabbi Uzziel argue in favor of women’s suffrage?

 Rabbi Uzziel takes a very rational approach to arguing for woman’s suffrage. He starts by defining the question(s) at hand, “ a) the active function of the election- to elect [and] b) the (passive) result of the election- to be elected.” He asserts he did not find any reasonable concrete cause to forbid the right of women to vote. His argument has resemblance to the founding ideologies surrounding the American Revolution. Uzziel states, by denying the right of women to vote, government is contradicting itself if it claims reason is the leading factor in the creation of legislation. Uzziel proposes a provocative question that sums up his argument well, “And how is it possible to grasp the rope at both ends: to impose upon them the disciplinary obligation [required by] the national representatives and deny them the right to elect them?” Uzziel also believes any individual should be allowed to represent their community, including women. He writes, “and individual or individuals are permitted and entitled to choose her and it is by the right of her voters that she joins the body of representatives…”