Meet Rebecca, the New Jewish American Girl Doll

“Meet Rebecca” is a heart-warming book written by Jacqueline Dembar Greene. The book is the first in a six-book series telling the story of Rebecca Rubin, the newest historical character from American Girl.

“Meet Reb­ecca” is about a strong-willed nine-year old Jewish girl living in the Lower East side of New York in 1914. Rebecca wants to be an actress, but the only things standing in her way are the fact that she is Jewish, and her Bubbie’s beliefs. Rebecca’s Bubbie has immigrated to New York and has many old-fashioned customs and beliefs, one of them being that it is “unladylike” to be an actress.

Rebecca is the second youngest in her family. She has always wanted to light the Sabbath candles, and knows all the blessings perfectly. Rebecca sells lace doilies to get money so she may buy the silver Sabbath candlesticks she longs for. However one day, Rebecca receives the news that her cousin Ana and her family must leave Russia and come to America because Ana is sick and starving. Rebecca must then decide whether to put her earned money from selling doilies towards Ana’s family’s ferry tickets, or to buy her long-desired candlesticks.

Reading a story like “Meet Rebecca” makes you realize how tough it was to be a Jewish immigrant. It is also easily to relate to Rebecca’s family values and Jewish traditions.

I am so excited for the new Jewish American Girl doll, Rebecca. She is a beautiful, 18-inch doll, with curly dark brown hair with highlights and brown eyes. She has a collection of historically accurate and culturally authentic clothes and accessories that represent her heritage and time period.

Anna Godes, 11, lives in Marblehead and is a student at the Village School. She attends Hebrew school at Congregation Shirat Hayam. She has four American Girl dolls.