Nice Jewish Girls: A Lesbian Anthology

Pervasive anti-Semitism within the lesbian community inspired the first edition of this stimulating anthology in 1982: ``I discovered that I felt far more vulnerable as a Jew than I did as a lesbian,'' writes Beck, director of women's studies at the University of Maryland. ``What would happen if we admitted that oppressed groups can themselves be oppressive?'' Responding to that challenge are 35 entries, including nine that are new and several that have been updated, ranging from poems and stories to short critiques and a photo-essay. Judith Plaskow refutes recent feminist accusations that the Jews ``invented'' patriarchy; and Adrienne Rich, daughter of a Jewish father and gentile mother, recalls being assigned the role of Portia in her predominantly gentile school's production of The Merchant of Venice. Although some may find Irena Klepfisz bombastic and simplistic on the West Bank imbroglio, on the whole the broad, nonpartisan readership. Photos not seen by PW. (Dec.)