Sample Sources
The sources below are those contained in our three curated collections—covering themes of Passover, Gender Roles, and Holocaust Resistance. They represent a fraction of the thousands of sources that will be available when the full site launches in 2024.
The Women Shopkeepers, or, Golde-Mine, the Abandoned Wife of Brod
In short, in addition to being affluent, our Reb Hoshea Heffler was also steeped in the holy books. He was a traditional Jew, who could not abide the maskilim, the enlightened ones. He always used to…
Scroll of the Book of Esther
This scroll of Esther from Germany, created for use on the holiday of Purim, is extensively decorated, with illustrations of biblical scenes from the Esther story, as well as various flora and fauna…
Triple Silver Yentl (My Elvis)
Triple Silver Yentl (My Elvis) is part of what is known as Kass’s Jewish Warhol series, a feminist comment on Andy Warhol’s famous screen prints of celebrities. Kass used the same mass-production…
Binah le-‘itim (Understanding of the Times)
First, we will explain the reason for the custom of all Israel to read from Tractate Avot on these Sabbaths. We would like to analyze the meaning of the name of the tractate, why it is called Avot…
Messiah
Son of fruitful Joseph, precious Ephraim,
child of joy, lush grove of magnificence,
you will exult and rejoice—for, with a vengeance,
the Just will arise over the House of the Barren
when the time…
A lovely fawn inspiring awe and love
A lovely fawn inspiring awe and love,
Her eyes shoot darts that penetrate men’s
hearts.
Her lips are like a scarlet thread, a rose
Dotted with dabs of myrrh. Her face is
bright as…
I sinned, so Time has weighed me down with chains
I sinned, so Time has weighed me down with chains;
therefore I can’t attend you in your joy.
But though my chariots—my feet—are slow,
Do not refuse the wish of your anointed (Psalms 132:10).
…
The Dilemma
When I see Hannah in full light, when I remember Naomi, perfect in splendour—my soul is aflame for Hannah, my spirit is kindled for Naomi.Here I am, sitting on the fence: Hannah, as of today, is my…
Moving Lights
At the close of Independence Day 1972
a biplane plane rose
in the Tel-Aviv sky at dusk
and on its belly
moving lights flashed:
For health and pleasure eat plenty of poultry
Eat as you should…
Hasidic Motifs
A moon full of shimmering honey,
Exuding joy.
What bird beats in my heart?
Fly away—away, but not alone.
What am I shy? What?
Thick empyrean wine.
I’ll take a wicker bottle,
To the cemetery alone…
Remembered and Forgotten
He turned walking on water into a kind of art. Rarely
getting himself wet. He left the ancient harbor at different hours of the day. At times
before sunrise. Sometimes he’d return minutes later…
Hualing’s Garden in Iowa
Wind bells over the river with an
Indian name: transplanted homelessness
disguised as a transplanted home.
The garden jingles. Odorous sandalwood censers,
kimonos and saris flashing well among
the…