Jewish women in the early modern period played a role in all Jewish societies, though they were often limited in the amount that they were permitted to participate in the community at large. The largest Jewish populations during this time were in Italy, Poland-Lithuania, and the Ottoman Empire. Women's rights and roles in their communities varied across countries and social classes.
In general, girls did not receive an education unless they had means to hire a private tutor. Many were illiterate in their native language, and even fewer could read Hebrew. To the extent that women and girls could participate in worship, they were restricted to a particular section of the synagogue separate from the men.
The professions that women could serve in were restricted, as was the degree to which women were permitted to work. Across Jewish societies, women were encouraged to partake in charitable activities. Some women worked as midwives, gynecologists, or other female-focused professions.
Prominent women of this period included Ester Handali, Esperanza Melchi, and Dona Gracia Mendes.