Rufina Inscription, Smyrna

This Greek inscription from Smyrna, Asia Minor, refers to a woman named Rufina as the head of the synagogue, perhaps indicating that women could function as Jewish religious and community leaders despite their lack of representation in rabbinic sources. The inscription is known only from a facsimile made in 1883.

Credits

Salomon Reinach, “Inscription grecque de Smyrne. La Juive Rufina,” Revue des études juives, vol. 7, no.14 (1883): pp. 161–66.

Published in: The Posen Library of Jewish Culture and Civilization, vol. 2: Emerging Judaism.

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