Rachel Wischnitzer facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Rachel Bernstein Wischnitzer
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| Born | April 14, 1885 |
| Died | November 20, 1989 (aged 104) |
| Alma mater | University of Heidelberg |
| Occupation | architect, art historian. |
| Spouse(s) | Mark Wischnitzer |
Rachel Bernstein Wischnitzer (born April 14, 1885 – died November 20, 1989) was a talented architect and an expert in art history. She was born in Russia and became famous for her work on Jewish art and architecture. She lived a very long life, reaching 104 years old!
Contents
A Life of Learning and Art
Rachel Wischnitzer grew up in a Jewish family in Minsk, which was part of the Russian Empire. Her family later moved to Warsaw. From a young age, she was interested in Jewish history and culture. She also loved math and science.
She studied at the University of Heidelberg in Germany. Then, she went on to study architecture in Brussels and Paris. In 1907, she earned her architecture degree from the École Spéciale d'Architecture in Paris. This was a big achievement, as she was one of the first women to get such a degree! She also studied art history in Munich.
After returning to Russia, Rachel became very interested in old Jewish art. She especially loved looking at beautiful, hand-decorated Hebrew books from the Middle Ages.
Working with Her Husband
In 1912, Rachel married Mark Wischnitzer, who was a historian. They shared a love for Jewish culture. Rachel started writing about synagogue architecture and Jewish ceremonial objects.
In the 1920s, Rachel and Mark moved to Berlin, Germany. There, they started two special magazines called Rimon–Milgroim. These magazines showed off art, stories, and ideas from Jewish writers and artists. Mark was the main editor, and Rachel was the art editor. She made sure the magazines looked beautiful and interesting.
An Expert in Jewish Art
While in Berlin, Rachel Wischnitzer became a very important person in the world of Jewish art. From 1928 to 1934, she was the art and architecture editor for the Encyclopaedia Judaica. This was a huge project to create a detailed encyclopedia about Jewish life and history.
She also worked at the Jewish Museum Berlin for many years. She helped organize and display important art pieces. Many people thought she was one of the most important art critics of her time.
Moving to America
Life in Germany became dangerous for Jewish people in the 1930s. Rachel, Mark, and their son, Leonard, had to leave their home. They first went to Paris in 1938. Then, Rachel and Leonard moved to the United States in 1940, and Mark joined them a year later.
Even though she was in her fifties, Rachel decided to go back to school. She studied at New York University and earned another degree in 1944. Later, she became a professor at Stern College for Women at Yeshiva University. She taught there from 1956 until she retired in 1968.
Rachel Wischnitzer wrote several important books about Jewish art and synagogue architecture. Her work helped many people learn about the rich history of Jewish art.
See also
In Spanish: Rachel Bernstein para niños
