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.
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.
Virgins Plus Curtains Minus Dots
Houses hold virgins
The doors on the chain
‘Plumb streets with hearts’
‘Bore curtains with eyes’
Virgins without dots
Stare beyond probability
See the men pass
Their hats are not ours
We …
Second Haman
[In the royal palace. In the background stands the throne; on it sits the royal couple. To the left of the throne stand Klemens and the ladies of the court; to the right Count Lubecki and the…
Bust of Moses Mendelssohn
This sculpture of Moses Mendelssohn (1729–1786) was created by Tassaert, a distinguished sculptor of the day. Mendelssohn sat for him, and copies of the bust were later made for Mendelssohn’s closest…
Minute Book of Psalms Society Serving in the Russian Army
In 1827, Tsar Nicholas I issued a statute that effectively made Russian Jews liable to military service, as part of a policy that sought to transform the Jewish population into integrated subjects who…
The Economic Factor and Its Influence upon the History of Our People
Now let us see whether the economic factor has influenced the history of our people in Europe, and in what ways this influence can be seen. [ . . . ]
In the final analysis, the Jews were necessary in…
To the Worker Women
Laboring women, suffering women
Women who languish in factory and home—
Why stand at a distance, why build not our temple
Of humanity’s joy, and of freedom sublime?
Help us to bear the red banner…
The Mizrachi Manifesto
Pave the way! Pave the way!More than twenty years have passed since the idea that we now call Zionism began to reawaken among the Jews, though its essence and intensity had never ceased among the…
A Call to the Jewish Youth Whose Hearts Lie with Their People and with Zion
Brothers!While our true Zionist goal is more or less clear—namely, our national and political revival in the Land of Zion—the ways that lead us to our goal are still clouded in fog. We have been going…
Order of the Secretary of Commerce and Labor
To all Commissioners of Immigration and Immigrant Inspectors in charge: It is hereby directed that, with a view to promptly obtaining definite information with regard to alien Anarchists and criminals…
To My Soldier Son
My precious heart, my handsome soldier son,
I write this letter with my blood to you.
Since you’ve had to take the Kaiser’s shilling
our world has turned red of a fiery hue.
The big decisive battle…
The World Convention of YIVO (Yiddish Scientific Institute) upon the Tenth Anniversary of Its Founding
Professor Fishl Shneerson (Warsaw): Out of great respect for YIVO I…