Penina Moise


Penina Moise was an American poet.

Biography

Penina Moïse was one of nine children born to French parents of the Jewish faith, Abraham and Sarah Moise, who came to Charleston from the island of St. Eustatius in 1791. Her siblings were: Cherie, Aaron, Hyman, Benjamin, Rachel, Jacob, Abraham and Isaac,. She went to work at 12 to support her family when her father died. She studied on the side, developing her literacy and scholarship, and began her prolific writing career in 1830. She was the author of hymns used in Jewish religious services, contributed verses to the Home Journal, the Washington Union, and other publications, and published Fancy's Sketch-Book, a book of poems, and Hymns Written for the Use of Hebrew Congregations, a compilation for her synagogue, Beth Elohim.

Death

She died in Charleston, South Carolina on September 13, 1880 at the age of 83. She is buried in Coming Street Cemetery, along with her mother and father and several of her siblings.