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Judaism’s Service Entrance – Freed Slaves

Moshe Yagur

Though viewed today as an outmoded evil, slavery was part of medieval Jewish life in Arab lands. Somewhat surprisingly, slaves owned by Jews were considered semi-Jewish; having entered the Jewish people through this “back door,”...

ArticlesIssue 72 | March 2025

Catalogue of Care – Julius Rosenwald

Yuval Jobani

Self-made millionaire Julius Rosenwald devoted his fortune as well as himself to others. His philanthropic principles speak volumes about integration for both Jewish and black Americans Yuval Jobani Has there ever been a philanthropist who...

ArticlesIssue 73 | June 2025

Body & Soul – Ottoman Jewish Midwifery

Tali Buskila

Among Jews in the Ottoman Middle East, birth took place in the mother’s home, where close friends and family assisted in an evolving social and spiritual experience. This safe, female space was seminal in women’s...

ArticlesIssue 70 | September 2024

Birth Rite – Birthing Amulets

Chen Avizohar-Hagay

Prior to effective medical techniques, amulets were a trusted method of protecting believers at their most vulnerable. To keep newborns and their motheres safe, Jews drew on prayers, incantations, and legends of creation as well...

ArticlesEarly modern periodIssue 70 | September 2024LifecycleMiddle East

Breakthrough to the Negev – Jewish Settlement of the Negev

Dotan Goren

At the end of the 1930s, the land of Israel’s parched south was devoid of Jewish settlement. In the decade leading up to the establishment of the State of Israel, however, the region suddenly boomed,...

ArticlesIssue 70 | September 2024Land of IsraelPre-state of IsraelZionism

Feeding the Heavens – Jewish Birdfeeding Customs

Yossi Ziv

Both Polish and Ethiopian Jews traditionally fed birds at specific times of year, ascribing deep meaning to this practice. Did the custom spread from south to north with the migratory flocks, or was it simply...

ArticlesEarly modern periodEthiopiaGermanyIssue 71 | December 2024Jewish CommunitiesTu Bishvat

The First Zionist Visionary – Rabbi Yehuda Alkalai

Yitzhak Krausz

At first glance, 19th-century rabbi Yehuda Alkalai’s writings seem like traditional Jewish interpretations of biblical prophecies, but closer scrutiny reveals a strikingly modern redemptive vision – which had yet to be dubbed Zionism Yitzhak Krausz...

19th centuryArticlesEuropeIssue 71 | December 2024Rabbis

Coins of Rebellion – Judean Rebels’ Coins

Yinon Horesh

Unlike other freedom fighters throughout history, the Judeans rebelling against Rome even minted their own coins. Why “waste” energy and resources on mere symbols of independence? What subversive messages did they convey? Yinon Horesh The...

AntiquityArticlesCoins and StampsIssue 71 | December 2024Lag B'OmerLand of Israel

Woman of Worth and Wisdom – Flora Sassoon

Hezi Cohen

Even today, most boardrooms remain dominated by men, but 130 years ago a Jewish woman shattered the glass ceiling to preside over one of India’s largest mercantile empires. A philanthropist and scholar to boot, Flora...

19th centuryArticlesIndiaIssue 71 | December 2024Women

Painting Propaganda – Arthur Szyk

Akiva Zimmerman

Arthur Szyk fought valiantly as an officer in the Ukrainian army, but in defense of his own people, his most potent weapon was his brush. His cartoons assailed his enemies, while his patriotism found expression...

20th centuryAmericaArticlesArtistsIssue 10 | April 2012

A Novel Approach – Historical Romance

Asael Abelman

Whether by Sir Walter Scott or by Abraham Mapu, the historical novel of the 19th century played a significant part in the rise of national consciousness that changed the face of Europe. The Jews of...

19th centuryArticlesEuropeIssue 10 | April 2012Literature and Culture

Articles

Judaism’s Service Entrance – Freed Slaves

Catalogue of Care – Julius Rosenwald

Body & Soul – Ottoman Jewish Midwifery

Birth Rite – Birthing Amulets

Breakthrough to the Negev – Jewish Settlement of the Negev

Feeding the Heavens – Jewish Birdfeeding Customs

The First Zionist Visionary – Rabbi Yehuda Alkalai

Coins of Rebellion – Judean Rebels’ Coins

Woman of Worth and Wisdom – Flora Sassoon

Painting Propaganda – Arthur Szyk

A Novel Approach – Historical Romance

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Articles

Judaism’s Service Entrance – Freed Slaves

Catalogue of Care – Julius Rosenwald

Body & Soul – Ottoman Jewish Midwifery

Birth Rite – Birthing Amulets

Breakthrough to the Negev – Jewish Settlement of the Negev

Feeding the Heavens – Jewish Birdfeeding Customs

The First Zionist Visionary – Rabbi Yehuda Alkalai

Coins of Rebellion – Judean Rebels’ Coins

Woman of Worth and Wisdom – Flora Sassoon

Painting Propaganda – Arthur Szyk

A Novel Approach – Historical Romance

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