Book cover of Mitzvah Girls: Bringing Up the Next Generation of Hasidic Jews in Brooklyn

Book description

Mitzvah Girls is the first book about bringing up Hasidic Jewish girls in North America, providing an in-depth look into a closed community. Ayala Fader examines language, gender, and the body from infancy to adulthood, showing how Hasidic girls in Brooklyn become women responsible for rearing the next generation of…

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Why read it?

1 author picked Mitzvah Girls as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

I read this book as a graduate student and found Fader’s ability to make academic research readable and interesting – yes, interesting! – hugely attractive. Ever since I’ve aimed to do the same in my own writing.

This book is a fascinating insight into a community many of us know nothing about, featuring young women’s voices, and relayed by Fader. 

From Katie's list on women’s voices.

If you love Mitzvah Girls...

Book cover of These Blue Mountains

These Blue Mountains by Sarah Loudin Thomas,

A moving story of love, betrayal, and the enduring power of hope in the face of darkness.

German pianist Hedda Schlagel's world collapsed when her fiancé, Fritz, vanished after being sent to an enemy alien camp in the United States during the Great War. Fifteen years later, in 1932, Hedda…

Want books like Mitzvah Girls?

Our community of 12,000+ authors has personally recommended 100 books like Mitzvah Girls.

Browse books like Mitzvah Girls

Book cover of Girl, Woman, Other
Book cover of Three Women
Book cover of Lit

Share your top 3 reads of 2025!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

1,366

readers submitted
so far, will you?

📚 If you like Mitzvah Girls, you might also like...

Book cover of Marriage and Fatherhood in the Nazi SS

Marriage and Fatherhood in the Nazi SS by Amy Carney,

When I was writing this book, several of my friends jokingly called it the Nazi baby book, with one insisting it would make a great title. Nazi Babies – admittedly, that is a catchy title, but that’s not exactly what my book is about. SS babies would be slightly more…

Book cover of A Forgivable Indecision

A Forgivable Indecision by Shawn Jennings,

In 1913, a 15-year-old pregnant girl was found dead of apparent suicide. Dr. James Wilson, a new graduate and the first doctor ever to start a practice in this rural town, feels guilty over her death because of his delayed intervention.

He knows Bessie was raped by one of her…

5 book lists we think you will like!