Middleton, Wisconsin-based American Girl will add a new member to its ethnic doll collection on May 31. Rebecca Rubin is American Girl's first Jewish character doll and will be unveiled in time for Manhattan's Israel Day parade.
Rebecca Rubin's bio says that she is a 9-year-old who moved to the Lower East Side of Manhattan in 1914 with her Russian-Jewish parents, siblings and her gran-bubbie.
Rebecca Rubin has long reddish brown hair, but unlike her Hispanic peer Josefina or Addy, the African-American doll, she doesn’t have distinct ethnic features. You can, however, buy her some unique accessories like a sideboard with a challah resting on top.
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Ethnic Doll Collection Expansion
- American Girl expands its ethnic doll collection by introducing Rebecca Rubin, its first Jewish character doll.
- Inclusion of Jewish Heritage
- American Girl introduces Rebecca Rubin, a 9-year-old Jewish character doll, providing representation for the Jewish community.
- Historical Context in Dolls
- American Girl adds a doll with a historical background, as Rebecca Rubin is set in 1914 Lower East Side of Manhattan.
Where This Applies
- Toy Manufacturing
- The toy manufacturing industry can capitalize on the trend of ethnic doll collection expansion by introducing more diverse and inclusive dolls.
- Character Doll Accessories
- The character doll accessories industry has an opportunity to create unique Jewish-themed accessories to accompany dolls like Rebecca Rubin.
- Historical Educational Resources
- The historical educational resources industry can create books, games, and activities centered around the 1914 Lower East Side of Manhattan for children interested in learning about that time period.
