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.
Bar Kochba
Young Man:Tell us, Bar Kochba, the words to useWhen we return to our homesAnd tell of meeting you.Bar Kochba:For taking of the people’s land,For stealing of the people’s wealth,For towns…
How Should One Pray South of the Equator?
Rosario, Argentina, June 16, 1914Your Eminence,Permit me to bother you in the name of the Jewish collective of Rosario, because of a divergence of opinion arising between us, about which we desire…
History of the House of David
The sultan thought for a moment and said, “I know, Jew, that your heart is not devoid of intelligence. After all, you want to live a long life in your household with your children. So, do not…
A Jewish Oud Player Entertains for Ramadan
There will be a concert of an excellent music ensemble at the Aynalı Gazino next to Taksim Garden in Beyoğlu, from the first day of the holy Ramadan Feast and every Friday, Saturday…
Porke no? (Can a Sephardic-Ashkenazic Romance Survive? A Russian Jewish Woman in New York Seeks Advice)
To the editor of La Bos del Pueblo:
I am a Jewish girl born in Russia who came to America eight years ago. Although I am not remarkably well-educated, I have always wanted to marry a well-educated boy…
Warsaw, Aryan Side
Where shall I start? My thoughts are in turmoil. There is an overpowering desire burning in me to put in writing as speedily as possible all that has happened to us in these years of war, especially…
Still, Still
Still, still, let us be still.
Graves grow here.
Planted by the enemy,
they blossom to the sky.
All the roads lead to Ponar,
and none returns.
Somewhere father disappeared,
disappeared with all our…
Who Is a Sephardi?
Haifa 1 Elul, 5724 August 9, 1964 To: His Excellency David Ben-Gurion Sde BokerDear Sir,From your letter of May 19, 1964, I understood that you wish to avoid a comprehensive discussion of the problems…
The Name
About two weeks before the birth was due, Grandfather Zisskind appeared in Raya and Yehuda’s home for the second time. His face was yellow, angry, and the light had faded from his eyes. He greeted…
The Glass Bell
Opposite the windowsill is a shuttered curtain and a wasteland of chimneys. The street is being drained of life. A double-decker bus with gleaming windows of light passes by the corner. A woman pushes…
Behold, Our Bodies Are Laid Out
To Dani and his friends Behold, our bodies are laid out—a long, long row. Our faces are altered. Death looks out of our eyes. We do not breathe. Twilight dwindles and evening falls over the mountain.L…
Evening of Roses
Evening of roses
Let us go out to the orchard
Myrrh, perfumes, and frankincense
A threshold at your foot.
Night falls slowly
And the rose-wind blows
Let me sing to you in a soft whisper
A song of…