The Honorable and the Honored: Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg

The words of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg at the Holocaust Memorial Museum, 2004

“My heritage as a Jew and my occupation as a judge fit together symmetrically. The demand for justice runs through the entirety of Jewish history and Jewish tradition. I take pride in and draw strength from my heritage, as signs in my chambers attest: a large silver mezuzah on my door post, gift from the Shulamith School for Girls in Brooklyn; on three walls, in artists’ renditions of Hebrew letters, the command from Deuteronomy: ‘tzedek, tzedek, tirdof’ — ‘Justice, justice shall you pursue.’ Those words are ever-present reminders of what judges must do that they ‘may thrive.'” 

The Jewish Education Project mourns the loss of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Whether writing articles for the East Midwood Jewish Center as an adolescent in Brooklyn, acting as the "camp rabbi" at Camp Che-Na-Wah, or working as a lawyer, judge, and fierce advocate for women's rights, Justice Ginsburg was always inspired by the teachings of Judaism. To learn more about the incredible life and career of Justice Ginsburg, we are assembling a collection of articles and curricular resources here on The Jewish Educator Portal.  If you have other educational resources you would like to recommend, please send them to onlineresources@jewishedproject.org. May her memory forever be a blessing. 

Articles and Biography

• Ruth Bader Ginsburg | Malvina Halberstam | The Encyclopedia of Jewish Women | Jewish Women's Archive
  There are a number of additional links at the end of the article.
   

• "This Core Jewish Value Has Guided Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s Career" | Emily Burack | alma. | 2018
   

• "Read 13-year-old Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s essay in her synagogue bulletin" | Josefin Dolsten | JTA | October 1, 2020
   
• Honoring RBG | Jewish Book Council
  This listing of books about Ruth Bader Ginsburg includes and event on October 7, 2020

For Younger Readers

• I Dissent: Ruth Bader Ginsburg Makes Her Mark | Debbie Levy | Distributed by PJ Library | Published by Simon and Schuster
  PJ Library has developed several helpful resources around this National Jewish Book Award recipient designed for students 8 years and up. Followed by resources from the publisher and the ADL.
   
  • PJ Library Discussion Guide (PDF)
  • Video Interview with RBG about the book (2:27)
  • Why we chose this Book (from PJ Library)
     
  • Publisher's Curriculum Guide (PDF)
     
  • ADL Book of the Month: Study and Teaching Guide
     

• The Story of Ruth Bader Ginsburg: A Biography Book for New Readers | Susan B. Katz
  Ages 6-8