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 Commanding Voice of Auschwitz
What does the Voice of Auschwitz command?
Jews are forbidden to hand Hitler posthumous victories. They are commanded to survive as Jews, lest the Jewish people perish. They are commanded to remember…
Out of Play, the Dead
At last the time has come. Amid the returning horde, I shall be once more separated from myself. The drama unfolds between the domed sky and the crazily calm sea. Order gorges itself on conquests: it…
Yente Tinifotsky
Being rich is no picnic. It’s no good to be wealthy, especially in Mexico. You get what I’m saying? It’s no good!
When people talk to me, they suck up to me, all smiles and flattery: It’s señora Tinif…
Clara at Dawn
She couldn’t have been more than seventeen years old. They came as war refugees. Survivors of the horror. The community was caring for the nearly cadaverous human beings and her parents wanted her to…
Mapping a Culture
The very lack of a self-contained territory that has so far disqualified the study of Yiddish from NDEA [the National Defense Education Act] support endows Ashkenazic Jewry with exemplary value for a…
Can American Jewry Be Culturally Creative?
[ . . . V]iewed from the broad historic perspective, it is not at all surprising that American Jewry has not yet produced those great cultural achievements for which we are all…
The Flowering Peach
Noah:Lonely times again. . . .? [Sighing.] Now I must go out in the world an’ make meself for a big nuisance again. . . ? [Then.] Why should she think I’m crazy? [Abruptly standing.] Now, just a…
Among the Wild Things
In the past few years, I have become increasingly interested in Sendak’s work, reading his books for my own pleasure as well as for the amusement of my…
Correspondence Re: Circumcision of Babies and Marranos
New York, 28 May, 1753Mr. Aaron LopezDear Sir:I have received your esteemed letter, in which you so kindly inform me that our Lord has given you a son. For this I extend the due felicitations to you…
Letters to Richea Gratz
Lancaster, August 5th 1793Miss Richea Gratz,PhiladelphiaThe letter of the 1st instant from my dear sister I now seat myself to accknowledge. Its contents I duly note. The subject it treats on is of…
The Rise and Fall of a Polish Tallis
Sixty years ago, Jacob, who was known in his quarter as Old Jacob, was living in the rue de la Mortellerie. He ran a successful business selling old clothes, scrap metal and even, on occasion, old…