Women of Other Faiths
Using common values contained in their respective teachings, women of all religious traditions can work together and collaborate in many areas especially peace building and women’s empowerment. Collectively women of all faiths can learn from each other’s struggles and histories, while showing support for women’s religious leadership roles worldwide. Please contribute to this archive by suggesting women of all faiths to be featured through our recommendation form.
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Etty Hillesum
Known For: Spiritual Jewish woman; supported refugees in Nazi transit camp
Dates: 1914-1943
Faith: Judaism
Country: Netherlands
About
Etty Hillesum was a Dutch Jewish woman who documented her “spiritual awakening” through a series of journals during World War II.1
Following the Nazi takeover of Holland, Etty struggled with her own conception of love and how it could exist in a world where there was an abundance of hatred. She concluded that there was no connection between the love one may feel for someone and their given behavior, claiming that God was the source for her never-ending love. Etty did not believe that hate should be responded with more hate and even forgave the German soldiers who tormented her. Ultimately, she recognized that both she and the German soldiers were suffering and deserved prayers.
With this newfound mindset, Etty began assisting Jewish refugees in a Nazi transit camp. In 1943, she and her family were sent to Auschwitz, where she perished at the age of 29. Her final diary entry stated that she was “grateful for everything.” Her diaries were discovered in 1981 and have been the subject of extensive research.
[1] “Etty Hillesum’s Inner Journey,” National Catholic Reporter.
Sources
“Etty Hillesum’s Inner Journey,” National Catholic Reporter.
Hunt, Helen LaKelly. The Half-Moon Book Devotions on Justice and Peace.
