Holocaust museum celebrates Rebecca Rubin, Jewish immigrant, American Girl doll

New York Jewish Week reports on Museum of Jewish Heritage's first-ever event dedicated to an American Girl doll, Rebecca Rubin.

The Museum of Jewish Heritage-A Living Memorial to the Holocaust will be hosting a family-friendly event to celebrate the life of Rebecca Rubin, a Russian-Jewish immigrant who lived on the Lower East Side. This event will include special tours, crafts, and a panel discussion about Rebecca's story, as well as others like her who lived in New York in the early 20th century.

Rebecca Rubin is not a real person, but an 18-inch tall American Girl doll who represents the life of a girl who lived during an important period of American history. American Girl aims to inspire girls to grow up with courage, confidence, and strength of character, inviting young children to learn about history on their own terms.

This mission aligns with that of the Museum of Jewish Heritage, which celebrates Jewish life before, during, and after the Holocaust, with immigration being a significant theme. The museum's first-ever event dedicated to a doll, "Rebecca Day," aims to celebrate Jewish heritage and encourage fans and enthusiasts to visit and learn more about the museum.

Rebecca was the first American Girl doll with a Jewish story, representing the life of a girl who lived in New York in 1914. The event will also showcase the museum's new exhibit, "Courage To Act: Rescue in Denmark," which tells the story of how Jewish and non-Jewish communities in Denmark banded together to save 95% of the Danish Jewish population from the Nazis.

"Rebecca Day" will include kid-friendly guided tours of the museum's exhibits, a festive lunch of latkes for kids and their dolls, and Hanukkah crafts like dreidel-decorating. The event will also feature a discussion with Jacqueline Dembar Greene, the author of 11 American Girl novels featuring Rebecca Rubin, who will answer questions about Rebecca's story and immigrant life in 1914.

American Girl is not sponsoring Rebecca Day at the museum, but the company is excited about the event and the opportunity for fans to connect with Rebecca's story. The event aims to showcase the relevance and popularity of the Rebecca books, reflecting the experiences of new immigrants contributing to the American story.

"Rebecca Day" will take place at the Museum of Jewish Heritage on Sunday, Dec. 3 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Register for the event to celebrate the life of Rebecca Rubin and learn about Jewish heritage in early 20th-century New York.