I appreciate the article just published about the role of Rebecca F. Goldstein in Kashrut in America (“Rebecca Goldstein, Century-Old Visionary,” July 18, 2024) and now throughout the world, more than most people appreciate the article since I happen to be (1) a grandson, and (2) the author of a biography of her husband entitled “The Maverick Rabbi,” which features a whole chapter about their romance — 100% kosher in every respect, of course.
I would be expected to be the last person to point out that the article you published gave her more credit than she deserved. Actually, I might be tied with my late grandfather, retroactively, for this distinction. The entry, written by my grandfather, of “The Universal Jewish Encyclopedia” about the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America — now known as the Orthodox Union — contains the following statement: “The Women’s Branch was organized in New York City in 1924, with Mrs. Philip Klein as its first president.”
Also, for the record however, Mrs. Goldstein served as national president for 13 years, as also noted in that entry of the encyclopedia.
The Orthodox Union also discusses Rebbetzin Goldstein’s roles in kashrut endorsements in various issues of Jewish Action.
