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E.M. Broner Obituary
Broner's death Tuesday of multiple organ failure as a result of an infection was confirmed Thursday by her daughter, Sari Broner.
E.M. Broner was the author of 10 books, including "The Women's Haggadah," ''Weave of Women" and "Mourning: A Kaddish Journal."
"The Women's Haggadah," co-authored with Naomi Nimrod, was originally published in Ms. magazine in 1977. It reimagined the traditional Passover Seder from the point of view of women including Moses' sister, Miriam.
Broner began leading women's Seders in New York started in 1976; regulars included feminist leaders Gloria Steinem and Bella Abzug.
Broner wrote that after the 1998 death of Abzug, the New York congresswoman known for wearing wide-brimmed hats, Seder participants began a new custom of leaving a chair empty except for a large hat.
Broner was born Esther Franc es Masserman in Detroit in 1927. She earned bachelor's and master's degrees at Wayne State University in Detroit and a Ph.D. from what is now the Union Institute and University in Cincinnati. She later taught in the English department at Wayne State, and also taught at Sarah Lawrence College and elsewhere.
In addition to Broner's writings on Jewish identity and ritual, her work included novels, plays and short fiction.
Broner's papers are in the archives at Brandeis University in Massachusetts. Sarah Shoemaker, the director of university archives and special collections, said that Broner was well enough to give a telephone interview to a student who was writing about her last fall.
Broner's husband, printmaker Robert Broner, died last year. Her survivors include two daughters, two sons, a brother and two grandchildren.
Copyright © 2011 The Associated Press
22 Entries
Jen Blake
March 21, 2021
I, very unfortunately, never got to meet Dr. Broner. In fact, I only discovered her writing last year. I am a hospice nurse and an avid reader. When I stumbled across her book "Mornings and Mourning: A Kaddish Journal," I was immediately drawn in. Though not Jewish and not being in a state of acute grieving, her words and her story are and have been helping me to process and name some of my own struggles as a woman. The situations are undeniably different, but the story that Dr. Broner is telling is, in so many respects, my own as well. I want her family to know that her life is continuing to change the lives of complete strangers and that she continues to help people in a truly profound way. I cannot thank her enough for the gift she has given me personally by sharing her story.
Jen Blake
March 21, 2021
I, very unfortunately, never got to meet Dr. Broner. In fact, I only discovered her writing last year. I am a hospice nurse and an avid reader. When I stumbled across her book "Mornings and Mourning: A Kaddish Journal," I was immediately drawn in. Though not Jewish and not being in a state of acute grieving, her words and her story are and have been helping me to process and name some of my own struggles as a woman. The situations are undeniably different, but the story that Dr. Broner is telling is, in so many respects, my own as well. I want her family to know that her life is continuing to change the lives of complete strangers and that she continues to help people in a truly profound way. I cannot thank her enough for the gift she has given me personally by sharing her story.
January 9, 2015
Please accept my sincere condolences and sincere prayers that go out to the surviving family and friends. May the God of comfort continue to bless you and yours especially after such an untimely loss of a very precious life please accept my deepest sympathies. (2 Cor. 1:2, 3).
How you can show support
cecil&judy bacon&christiansen
June 28, 2011
aure thoughts and prayers are with the family.
June 25, 2011
I shared an office with Esther and others at WSU one year in the late '60's. She was very good to her students, well respected by her colleagues, and one terrific person. I was privileged to know her and work with her. Bless her and her family.
June 24, 2011
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
Naomi Franklin
June 24, 2011
She was truly an "Eshet Chayil." Zichrona l'Vracha.
June 24, 2011
When I was in graduate school at Wayne State University in Detroit I directed a poetic drama Esther wrote, "Summer is a Foreign Land". It was an inspiring story of a Jewish family. During the course of rehearsals in the small theatre on campus I got to meet Bob and the children. My husband and I felt honored that Esther and Bob came to our wedding.
I have read about her successes through the years and feel honored that I had such a wonderful opportunity to direct her play. My husband and I retired from teaching theatre at California State University in Chico. We both remember her with much love.
Mercedes (Frontera) Gilbert
June 24, 2011
We give thanks for the gift of her life, her presence among us, and the courage of her voice.May she now rest in the sweetest peace.
Benita Davis
June 24, 2011
I am a womens study student at WSU. I did not know Ms Broner, but I am sure she was a great influence on women and she is looking down on all women and still fighting for her causes in life..God bless the family and may Jehovah give you all the will to go on and be steadfast with the memory of knowing she was a great woman..
Joel and Sandi Greenberg
June 24, 2011
Zichronam l'Vracha: May her Memory be a Blessing
A Williams
June 24, 2011
Please accept my deepest sympathies for your great loss. I pray that you find comfort in the promise: "And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away."
An Avid Reader
June 24, 2011
The community of Jewish women have suffered a huge loss.
Glen Hausfeld
June 24, 2011
Peace to the family and friends of
E.M. Broner.
Henryk Zaleski
June 24, 2011
Rest in peace.
June 24, 2011
hi sorry fo yo lost
June 24, 2011
I am truly sorry for your lost. In your time of bereavement, know that God assures us that we will see our loved ones again. I’m sure that with the help of our loving Heavenly Father, your family, and friends you will be able to endure this trial. May your memories give you comfort.
T. Gates, GA
June 24, 2011
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
R Golay
June 23, 2011
To the the family of E M Broner - May God give you peace and comfort through his word and the Lord Jesus Christ during this time of sorrow, I know that ahe will be missed by many.
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