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.
Jewish Writings
During the period between the two wars, the relations between Jews and Muslims progressively altered. One can assign several causes to this unfortunate evolution.
One is the acceleration…
Brandeis University: The Pledge
[ . . . ] I look upon this humble beginning as a potentially significant step. It is the first nonsectarian university which becomes the corporate responsibility of the Jewish community in America…
America Must Not Remain Silent
I speak to you as an American Jew.
As Americans we share the profound concern of millions of people about the shame and disgrace of inequality and injustice which make a mockery of the great American…
Rites and Ceremonies
Father, adonoi, author of all things
of the three states,
the soft light on the barn at dawn,
a wind that sings
in the bracken, fire in iron gates,
the ram’s horn,
Furnisher, hinger of…
History of the Israelite Nation, from Abraham to the Present Time
On this occasion a singular event occurred, which gave a new impulse to the piety and energy of Joshiah. The original copy of the laws, supposed to be written by Moses himself was found in the temple…
Shever poshe‘im: The Court of R. Hayim Haykl of Amdur
The communal treasurer stands on guard at the entrance to the rabbi’s home to make inquiry concerning every invalid or cripple, and by what name he is called. One can hear the noise of the people as…
She Said to Him, “You Be the Driver and I’ll Be the Madam,” Then They Picked Up the Fender and Posed, Hillbrow, 1975
Photographer David Goldblatt dedicated much of his work to documenting racial injustice in South Africa. The title of the photograph tells its story. Two Black South Africans use a car fender to role…
Who Will Praise Israel’s Bravery
Tartakover is best known as a graphic artist and for his political posters. He considers himself a “local designer” with an obligation to speak out on Israeli political and social issues, especially…
The Peace Rider
Disabled from childhood polio, Mizrachi creates sculptures that relate to the physical form of his subjects. His work, as in the Peace Rider, expresses his political position and vision for the future…
Megilas Vintz (The Scroll of Vintz)
Every day they took from us whatever their hearts desired. They said to us, “We are needed to protect you from the mob.” We had no choice but to believe them. We had to take being cheated. They…
Yosef omets (He Will Be Stronger): On Yom Kippur Eve
985. The ancient custom of kaparot [having a chicken slaughtered after symbolically transferring one’s sins to it] is well known; I will only write that my custom is also to say, based on the Maharal…
Regulation: On Shavuot Observance
During the days of Shavuot, quite a number of householders, accompanied by their sons, their wives and their infant children, would rise early each morning and walk outside the city, and outside the…