Jerusha Jhirad

Jerusha Jhirad (21 March 1891 – 2 June 1984) was an Indian physician.[1][2]

Jerusha Jhirad
Born	21 March 1891 Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Died	2 June 1984 (aged 93) India
Occupation	Physician
Awards	Padma Shri

She was a member of the Bene Israel Jewish community.[3] She was the first woman to be granted a scholarship by the Indian government to study abroad.[4] She was medical officer-in-charge of Cama Hospital in Mumbai.[5] She was also a pioneer of Progressive Judaism; after attending mixed-gender prayers at the Jewish Religious Union, she returned to Mumbai and founded a JRU-affiliated congregation among the Bene Israel with her sister Leah in 1925.[6]

Honours

In 1966, she was awarded the Padma Shri.[7]

The Venusian crater Jhirad was named after her.

References

1. Kirsh & Kirsh (2002), p. 40
2. Purandare, C. N.; Patel, Madhuri A.; Balsarkar, Geetha (June 2012). "Indian Contribution to Obstetrics and Gynecology". Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of India. 62 (3): 266–267. doi:10.1007/s13224-012-0270-5. ISSN 0971-9202. PMC 3444562. PMID 23730027.
3. Kirsh & Kirsh (2002), p. 41
4. Kirsh & Kirsh (2002), p. 44
5. Kirsh & Kirsh (2002), p. 47
6. Maharashtra - Rodef Shalom Synagogue.
7. Kirsh & Kirsh (2002), p. 48

Sources

• Sharon Kirsh, Florence Kirsh (2002). Fabulous Female Physicians. Second Story Press. ISBN 1896764436.