Secular and Religious Works of Penina Moïse, With a Brief Sketch of Her Life.

(AMERICAN-JUDAICA).

Nicholas G. Duffy, for the Council of Jewish Women

Charleston

1911

First Edition. Previous owner’s inscription on upper free end paper reads: “Awarded [to] Annie Collis by K.K.B.S. Sunday School … June 9, 1929.”

The first Jew to publish a book of poetry in the United States – a woman – Penina Moïse (1797-1880) was one of the most prolific and creative writers of poetry on Jewish themes in America. Moïse was also superintendent of the first Jewish religious school in Charleston and many of her poems and songs focused upon Jewish history and heritage in order to encourage a sense of pride in the Jewish faith of these school-children.