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 Householder Departs from the City
Going to his room one night,
he locked his door and by lamp-light
counted his money, counted his foes.
Then from the table of his heart
he struck off every name but one,
which would be there till…
Jewish Destiny as the DPs See It: The Ideology of the Surviving Remnant
Today, the Sherit Hapleita has an ideology of its own—this despite the fact that in its outlook on life, in its politics, and its culture, the group is no more unified and no less divided than other…
On the Necessity and Impossibility of Being a Jew
Not seldom, when in conversation my partner draws me into a plural—that is, as soon as he includes my person in whatever connection and says to me: “We Jews . . .”—I feel a not exactly tormenting, but…
This One’s On Me
1. The lives and times of Oedipus and Elektra
began with bloodgrim lust and dark carnality
but I was born next to the Neilson’s factory
where every piece is different, and that’s how I got
my…
Farewell, You Cheerful Folk of France
Farewell, you cheerful folk of France,
My brethren’s merry throng,
A foolish nostalgia drives me hence,
I’ll be back, though, before long.
Imagine—I yearn beyond belief
For the smell of heather and…
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…