Christian and Jewish Women in Britain, 1880-1940

Anne Summers is Honorary Research Fellow at Birkbeck, University of London, UK. She was formerly a Curator of Modern Historical Manuscripts at the British Library. Her many publications on women’s history include Angels and Citizens: British Women as Military Nurses, 1854-1914 and Female Lives, Moral States: Women, Religion and Political Culture in Britain, 1800-1930.

• Introduction.- PART I: GROUP ENCOUNTERS, 1870s-1918.- 1. Women and Men in a Religious Landscape: Britain in the Late Nineteenth Century.- 2. Joint Enterprises:  ‘The co-operation of ladies who are not Christians’.- 3. ‘Dear Madame Dreyfus’.- 4. ‘Votes for Women!’.- PART II: FRIENDSHIP IN PRIVATE AND PUBLIC, 1890s-1930.- 5. ‘A dear good “god-mother” to her’: Margaret MacDonald and Lily Montagu.- 6. ‘We fell in love with each other at first sight’: Charlotte Mason and Netta Franklin.- PART III: CONTINUITY AND CHANGE, 1920s-1940s.- 7. False Start or Brave Beginning? The Society of Jews and Christians.- 8. Separatism without Separation: Rebecca Sieff, Englishwomen and Zionism.- 9. Refuge and Asylum.- Conclusion.- Coda: Rachel Bernstein goes to Surrey Lane.iv.

“This book is a treat, even for those whose interests do not lie in denominational or women’s history. Though it is an academic study, based on thorough archival research and a deep scholarly mastery of its subject, it is a pleasure to read. Above all, it opens up an entirely new perspective on the Jewish and Christian women who collaborated in the field of voluntary, charitable and philanthropic work between 1880 and 1940.”  (Anthony Grenville, AJR Journal, ajr.org.uk, Vol. 20 (8), August, 2020)“The existence and scope of co-operation, and the relationships that developed between the Christian and Jewish women in Anne Summers’ study is an intriguing and engaging read, and sheds light on an otherwise hidden aspect of women’s history. … The research undertaken for this book is remarkable, and serves as a reminder that historians are, at heart, detectives.” (Susan Cohen, Women's History Review, January, 2018)“This book is remarkable, not only in its detailed content highlighting the involvement of women in these ‘charitable collaborations’ but also in enlightening readers about the detective work in carrying out such research. …  Summers’ noteworthy book remains engaging and accessible.” (Diane Lukeman, Jewish Renaissance, July, 2017)