Interview with Author and Storyteller, Rabbi Sandy Eisenberg Sasso

Regina Persisted

I discovered this nonfiction picture book, Regina Persisted when reading the most recent Hadassah magazine. Regina Persisted, An Untold Story written by Sandy Eisenberg Sasso and illustrated by Margeaux Lucas is a wonderful book that tells the heroic story of Regina Jonas. The story begins when Regina was a child and dreamed of being a rabbi. She had many obstacles that held her back. In one part of the book, one of her professors even told her “Stop trying to be a rabbi. You won’t be-not now, not ever.” 

Regina’s dream came true in 1935 when she passed the test and became a rabbi. She officially was hired as a rabbi in 1937. In 1944, just 7 years after being hired as a rabbi, Regina was taken to a concentration camp. She was killed and her story was not told till now. This is why I wanted to share this story on my website so other children and adults can know all about Regina Jonas and how she helped pave the way for other women to become rabbis. She is an important person in Jewish history. 

Rabbi Sandy’s other books in this series include Judy Led the Way and Sally Opened Doors. Visit Rabbi Sandy’s website to learn more about her books for both children and adults.

Also, for those who are wondering, we are not related. Just a wonderful coincidence to share the same name, Eisenberg 🙂

Regina Persisted

affiliate link in post

Support Independent Bookstores by purchasing the book

affiliate link in post

Rabbi Sandy Eisenberg Sasso

Rabbi Sandy is the author of many books, both for adults and children. Rabbi Sandy is the first woman ordained from her seminary, Reconstructionist Rabbinical School in 1974. She was married in 1970 and she and her husband became the first rabbinical couple in world Jewish history. 

Rabbi Sandy is the author of Regina Persisted, a picture book about the first woman rabbi. Her other two other books in this series are Judy Led the Way (story of first bat mitzvah – 100 years ago) and, Sally Opened Doors ( story of first woman rabbi U. S. In 1972.- 50 years ago). Rabbi Sandy also wrote a book about Anne Frank, entitled, Anne Frank and the Remembering Tree. She also wrote But God Remembered and Noah’s Wife, which are books that retell stories of women in the Bible.  

To learn more about Rabbi Sandy’s work, visit her website at https://www.allaboutand.com/