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.
A Whole Loaf
I had not tasted anything all day long. I had made no preparations on Sabbath eve, so I had nothing to eat on the Sabbath. At that time I was on my own. My wife and children were abroad, and I had…
Farewell Leicester Square
“Alec,” she said meekly, “you’re wearing out my carpet.”
He stopped. “Pardon?”
“Why the Man of Destiny act?” she asked.
He stared at her uncomprehending.
She put her hand on his arm and shook him. “Oh…
An Open Letter
With God’s help, may the Lord order blessing, life, and peace for the leaders and fine men, preeminent individuals, etc., and for their head, the Great Rabbi, etc.Hear, congregation of the Lord and…
Ten Commandments
My grandfather’s kinsman, a Jew who tamed bears,
Performed in the market towns;
By day his beast was confined in chains;
At night, they danced under the stars.
Nicknamed “Ten Commandments,” the man…
Subscription Notice
Subscription for the Year 1903 to the First Daily Zhargon (Yiddish) Newspaper in Russia, Der frayndPublished in Saint Petersburg by Sh. Ginsburg and Sh. Rapaport [S. An-ski]
Literary Science
The purpose of this work is to acquaint the Yiddish reader with the theory, structure, and various forms of belletristic literature in general and Yiddish literature in particular.The need for…
Cohen on the Telephone
I rang up to tell you that I’m your tenant Cohen. I say I’m your tenant, Cohen. I ain’t goin’, I’m stoppin’ here. I’m your tenant Coh—Not lieutenant Cohen. I vant to tell you thet last night the vind…
Letter to Jacob Dinezon
My only, best and devoted friend, as I can express myself, nonpartisan, true friend Yankev Dinezon!I really cherish the letter that I received from you last week. But unfortunately, I am so busy with…
Bottoms
To be or not to be—that’s not the question.
Sense or nonsense—that’s my obsession.
For too long, Divine reckoning
has shredded human thinking.
The sum total of justice is a round number:
bright…
Letter to the Art Editor of the New York Times
June 7, 1943Mr. Edward Alden JewellArt EditorNew York Times229 West 43 StreetNew York, N.Y.Dear Mr. Jewell:To the artist, the workings of the critical mind is one of life’s mysteries. That is why, we…
Last Testament
With zeal and zest I threw myself into the work to help assemble archive materials. I was entrusted to be the custodian, I hid the material. Besides me, no one knew. I confided only in my friend Hersh…