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.
Responsum: On Uniting European Jewry
Now, the editor [of the Maḥzike hadas journal] suggested that we keep away from the people of this generation, that is, separate from one another entirely, just as Abraham separated from Lot [see…
Sleep, Sleep, Sleep
Shlof, shlof, shlof,
Der tateh vet kumen in dorf,
Vet er brengn an epeleh,
Vet zayn gezunt dos kepele.
Sleep, sleep, sleep,
Daddy is traveling to the village,
He will bring back a little apple,
So…
Frightened Mothers Surround the Neighborhood: Tonsil Riots
A foolish, misunderstood order by the Board of Education about cutting out “mandlen” [tonsils] from children’s throats is interpreted to mean a command to slit childrens’ throats and causes a wild…
The Wandering Jew
In The Wandering Jew, a man driven mad with horror runs through an apocalyptic landscape full of crucifixes and strewn with corpses. A protest against the long history of Christian persecution of Jews…
Under Her Father's Eyes
In 1903, the paintings of Abel Pann had helped draw attention and international outrage to the Kishinev pogrom. Pann again used his art to document the devastation of Jewish communities in Eastern…
In the Beys-medresh [House of Study]
Photograph of two men studying in the beys-medresh (Heb., bet ha-midrash, a room or building used for traditional Torah/Talmud study as well as prayer). This is one of many photographs taken by…
Benefit Lunch with Bertha Kalich
This full-page advertisement for a benefit lunch, to be held that day, December 14, 1898, at the Thalia Theater in New York City, with the famed Yiddish actress Bertha Kalich (ca. 1872–1939), includes…
Behind the Fence
One Sabbath eve, as darkness fell, Noah lay hidden among the thorns and thistles growing under the fences outside the quarter and waited. He knew that Marinka would be returning this way from her…
My Little Son
I have a son, a little son,
a youngster mighty fine!
and when I look at him I feel
that all the world is mine.
But seldom do I see him when
he’s wide awake and bright.
I always find him sound…
Hanukkah
By the window I lit a taper
A Hanukkah candle, gentle child.
Many are the memories
And the memories are brilliant.
A regiment of riders, mighty men,
If they appear before you,
Do not fear, gentle…
A Comet Portending War
I have seen other stars
with a tail before,
but the people were frightened
by this awesome torch.
As an omen of war
it does sadden my heart.
Let us turn to our God,
let us try to please Him.