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.
Lévy
“You come from Poland, Monsieur David . . . ?”
“Davidovich.”
Lévy, his host, looking with desperation at the traveling salesman, supplied the name. Still sweating from fear, Lévy was now sweating for…
Motl, the Cantor’s Son
It did our hearts good to see Vaytshepl. It did Pinye too much good. “Why, it’s Berdichev!” he shouted. “Children, I swear, we’re not in London at all, we’re in Berdichev!” The next thing I know he’s…
Fontainebleau Hotel, Miami Beach, Florida. Over Pool to Hotel. Florida, Miami Beach
The hotels designed by Morris Lapidus in the 1950s and 1960s, including the Fontainebleau, were pioneers of what came to be known as “Miami Modern” (MiMo), the signature style of resort hotels in…
My White Snow Princess
Oh white spirit—
My princess!
The spring rips,
Tears at your dress.
The air is full of spring’s fame
Crowned with florets
Carrying its perfume
Spring’s fresh scents.
Bringing your death,
My white…
Six Prayers
Six Prayers was commissioned by the Jewish Museum in New York as a memorial to the victims of the Holocaust. The six tapestries evoke Torah scrolls or prayer shawls. The shapes in the central part of…
Bluebeard’s Castle
Judith:Ev’rything lies deep in shadow.[She feels her way forward.][She shudders.]The walls are sweating.Tell me BluebeardWhy this moisture on my fingers?Walls and rafters, all are weeping.[She covers…
My Life
You understand, my sweet confessor, that I could be even more of a sinner than not, and I hope just the same for your absolution. In the meantime, I will tell you that after…
Report from Lucienville Agricultural Colony
Founded in 1900 by members of Lucienville colony, the Jewish Agricultural Society was one of the first agricultural cooperatives in Argentina and is still in existence today.
Marriage and Migration: Trials of a Jewish Immigrant in Cuba
December 6, 1913, Havana
To his Eminence Monsieur Haim Nahum, Chief Rabbi of Turkey [Ottoman Empire], Constantinople [Istanbul].
Monsieur Rabbi,
I have the honor of bringing the following facts to…
Grace Mendes Seixas Nathan (Mrs. Simon Nathan) and Her Son Seixas Nathan
Grace Mendes Seixas Nathan was born in Connecticut in 1752 to a patriotic, literary Jewish family. In 1780, she married the British merchant Simon Nathan, a supporter of the American Revolution who…
From Ancient Times
When one comes to collect legends of the Hebrews and Jews from the many diverse strata of our literature, one must be armed with all the secrets of the schools and fruits of visionary…
Esther Scroll
The scroll (megillah) of Esther is read out loud on the holiday of Purim. This example, from Baghdad, is hand painted, with an ornate design in which bands of flowers frame the text. It is rolled on a…