13 Facts About Paula Hyman

Paula Hyman was an American social historian who served as the Lucy Moses Professor of Modern Jewish History at Yale University.

Paula Hyman served as the president of the American Academy for Jewish Research from 2004 to 2008.

Paula Hyman was the first female dean of the Seminary College of Jewish Studies at the Jewish Theological Seminary from 1981 to 1986.

Paula Ellen Hyman was born in Boston, Massachusetts, on September 30,1946, to Ida Hyman and Sydney Hyman, two first generation Jewish-Americans from Eastern Europe.

Paula Hyman's mother worked as a bookkeeper and was in charge of the home while her father was an office manager.

Paula Hyman served in this position until 1986, when she moved to Yale University.

At Yale, Paula Hyman was the Lucy Moses Professor of Modern Jewish History and served as the chair of the Program in Judaic Studies for over 10 years.

Paula Hyman was the recipient of various honors and awards: a 1999 National Jewish Book Award, a 2004 Achievement Award in Historical Studies from the National Foundation for Jewish Culture, and honorary degrees from the Jewish Theological Seminary of America in 2000, the Hebrew Union College in 2002, and the Hebrew College in 2010.

Paula Hyman died on December 15,2011, from a long fight with breast cancer, which she was very open about.

Paula Hyman is survived by her husband, Dr Stanley Rosenbaum, her two daughters, Judith and Adina, two grandchildren, Ma'ayan and Aviv, her mother Ida, and her two sisters, Merle and Toby.

Paula Hyman was part of this caucus until the time of her death.

In 1971, Paula Hyman helped found Ezrat Nashim, a Jewish activist group whose goal was the ordination of women as Conservative rabbis and cantors, a foreshadowing of her later position as a champion of gender equality in religious Jewish life.

Paula Hyman was recognized as one of the founders of Jewish women's studies and was seen as a role model for her colleagues and students for her dedication to this field.