This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1912 Excerpt: ... For if Triquette be rather kind and frail Than wise; and if Chartreuse's cloying green, Enmixed with Moet from the frozen pail, Quickens my hero's blood; 'twere well to screen, From vulgar gaze, those lips and hands adoring... Moreover, others' love-affairs wax boring. 'Mais sois done sage!' the clinging lips implore; The hands unclasp; and jarring grind the brakes. A deferential porter swings the door. 'Merci, monsieur'--the sphinx-like chauffeur takes The proffered coin; anew his engines roar; Soon in some brasserie his thirst he slakes. But they, across the carpet's yielding pile, Pass to their loge along the crowded aisle. In regal state, observed of stage and stall, They sit to watch Arlette d'Orgere displaying Her shapely hose; or hear De Sousa call The circling pigeons from their fluttered straying; Sharp on their ears the cadenced couplets fall, That twit Lepine with Steinheil's shrouded slaying; Anon, the butt of truly Gallic quips, Adown the boards a phantom Sarah trips. For them the Apaches ply the mimic strife; L'ami de Madame emulates Asmodeus; And, keen as razor-edge of surgeon's knife, Cuts the appalling persiflage of Claudius. (Whereat the gaping Briton's scholar-wife, 'Tom, dear, come home! the show is simply odious.' They rise--and lo! or e'er she leaves her seat, The final chorus blares its tuneful beat.) Compere and Commere make their parting bow; The curtain drops upon the packed coulisses. The footlights darkle sudden; and now, Attendants claim their petit benefice--Paid with good grace, if earned none knoweth how. Broods over box and parterre, sheeted peace. Without, the Place Blanche hums, and pampered poupees Whirl, taxi-borne, to amicable soupers. The choicest table at L'Abbaye Theleme, Reserved long since, awaits our turtles' ple...

Analysing the political relations between the Kingdom of Poland and the hasidic movement, this book examines plans formulated by the government and by groups close to government circles regarding hasidim, and describes how a hasidic body politic developed in response. Marcin Wodzinski demonstrates that the rise of hasidism was an important factor in shaping the Jewish policy of both central and provincial authorities and shows how the creation of socio-political conditions that were advantageous to the hasidic movement accelerated its growth. While concentrating on the dynamic that developed in the Kingdom of Poland, the discussion is informed by a consideration of the relationship between the state and the hasidic movement from its inception in the Polish - Lithuanian Commonwealth. The novelty of this study lies in the fact that, whereas most analyses of political culture concentrate on states and societies with well-established electoral systems of representation, Wodzinski focuses on the under-researched area of political relations between a non-democratic state and a low-status community lacking authorized representation. Applying concepts more often associated with cultural history, his analysis draws a distinction between the terms of reference of high-level political debate and the actual implementation of policy middle- and low-level officials. Similarly, in analysing hasidic responses he differentiates between high-level hasidic representations in the state and the grassroots politics of the community. This combination enables a broad contextualization of the whole subject, integrating the social and cultural history of Polish Jewry with that of Polish society in general.

David Ellenson prefaces this fascinating collection of twenty-three essays with a remarkably candid account of his intellectual journey from boyhood in Virginia to the scholarly immersions in the history, thought, and literature of the Jewish people that have informed his research interests in a long and distinguished academic career. Ellenson, President of the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, has been particularly intrigued by the attempts of religious leaders in all denominations of Judaism, from Liberal to Neo-Orthodox, to redefine and reconceptualize themselves and their traditions in the modern period as both the Jewish community and individual Jews entered radically new realms of possibility and change. The essays are grouped into five sections. In the first, Ellenson reflects upon the expression of Jewish values and Jewish identity in contemporary America, explains his debt to Jacob Katz's socio-religious approach to Jewish history, and shows how the works of non-Jewish social historian Max Weber highlight the tensions between the universalism of western thought and Jewish demands for a particularistic identity. In the second section, "The Challenge of Emanicpation," he indicates how Jewish religious leaders in nineteenth-century Europe labored to demonstrate that the Jewish religion and Jewish culture were worthy of respect by the larger gentile world. In a third section, "Denominational Responses," Ellenson shows how the leaders of Liberal and Orthodox branches of Judaism in Central Europe constructed novel parameters for their communities through prayer books, legal writings, sermons, and journal articles. The fourth section, "Modern Responsa," takes a close look at twentieth-century Jewish legal decisions on new issues such as the status of woemn, fertility treatments, and even the obligations of the Israeli government towards its minority populations. Finally, review essays in the last section analyze a few landmark contemporary works of legal and liturgical creativity: the new Israeli Masorti prayer book, David Hartman's works on covenantal theology, and Marcia Falk's Book of Blessings. As Ellenson demonstrates, "The reality of Jewish cultural and social integration into the larger world after Emancipation did not signal the demise of Judaism. Instead, the modern setting has provided a challenging context where the ongoing creativity and adaptability of Jewish religious leaders of all stripes has been tested and displayed."

"At eight years old, Gerta Pieters is forced to disguise herself as a boy and sent to work for a genteel Dutch family. When their brilliant and beautiful daughter Maria sees through Gerta's ruse, she insists that Gerta accompany her to Amsterdam and help her enter the elite, male-dominated art world. While Maria rises in the ranks of society as a painting prodigy, Gerta makes herself invaluable in every way: confidante, muse, lover. But as Gerta steps into her own talents, their relationship fractures into a complex web of obsession and rivalry--and the secrets they keep threaten to unravel everything"--

Immerse yourself in the social tapestry of "Chronicles of Melhampton" by E. Phillips Oppenheim. In this captivating novel, Oppenheim weaves a tale of societal intrigue and familial dynamics in the fictional town of Melhampton. As the lives of its diverse inhabitants intertwine, a rich narrative unfolds, exploring the complexities of relationships, ambition, and the pursuit of happiness. Oppenheim's keen observation and masterful storytelling create a vivid portrait of a community where secrets simmer beneath the surface, waiting to be unveiled. Prepare for a journey into the intricacies of human connection and the enduring ties that bind.

This is a reproduction of a book published before 1923. This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book.

This is a reproduction of a book published before 1923. This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book.

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