The Interwoven Threads: How Anti-Semitism Shaped a Feminist Legacy

The passing of Gloria Steinem at 92 marks the end of an era, but her spiritual and ethical legacy persists in her insistence that liberation is never solitary. Steinem did not view the feminist movement in isolation; rather, she understood it as inextricably linked to the broader project of dismantling all forms of bigotry, including anti-Semitism. This holistic perspective challenges the modern tendency to compartmentalize social justice efforts, suggesting instead that true spiritual integrity requires recognizing the structural nature of oppression.

Steinem’s Jewish heritage profoundly informed her activism, revealing how identity shapes one’s moral compass. As her co-founder Letty Cottin Pogrebin noted, Steinem stated, “Never in my life have I identified myself as a Christian, but wherever there is antisemitism, I identify as a Jew.” This declaration underscores a profound spiritual truth: that one’s response to injustice is often rooted in the deepest layers of personal history and faith. By framing women’s rights as part of a universal struggle against prejudice, Steinem offered a model of interfaith and inter-identity solidarity that remains vital for contemporary seekers of wisdom.