"Selected by Cynthia Ozick from a dozen books written across more than fifty years, the essays and short stories gathered here constitute a summing-up of her remarkable literary career. In such classic essays as 'Who Owns Anne Frank?,' 'What Helen Keller Saw,' 'Dostoevsky's Unabomber,' and 'Transcending the Kafkaesque,' Ozick examines some of the world's most illustrious writers and their work, tackles compelling contemporary literary and moral issues, and looks into the wellsprings of her own lifelong engagement with literature. In her short stories, including 'A Hebrew Sibyl,' 'What Happened to the Baby?,' 'Dictation,' 'The Biographer's Hat,' and 'The Conversion of the Jews,' Ozick demonstrates again and again her stylistic brilliance and the originality of her distinctive interweaving of the strands of history and myth." -

Critics in Britain are already raving about Charlotte Mendelson’s excoriatingly funny yet deeply humane novel about a glamorous London family that happens to be falling apart. The Rubins are the perfect family. They’re wonderfully happy and very glamorous. The mother, Claudia, is the ultimate Jewish a powerful rabbi known for her charm, brains, and determination. Now this dynastic Jewish family is getting ready to marry off the perfect eldest son. History, community, and even gastronomy unite the guests lucky enough to attend this joyous occasion. But when the groom -- one minute before exchanging vows -- bolts with the wrong woman, the myths that have defined this family take on darker overtones. Mendelson’s astonishing eye for detail, as well as her just-right balance of plot and character, makes the unfolding of this story an uncommon treat. In a marvelously compressed style that also bursts with life, she reveals how all four adult Rubin children, and their parents, struggle with huge secrets, sexual frustration and sexual experimentation, and many betrayals. Charlotte Mendelson opens a window on a realm rarely explored in British the complicated world of English Jewry. But to watch this seemingly blessed family drastically, disastrously fall apart before regaining balance is to understand that their struggles -- like all of ours -- are universal ones.

Hillel Halkin is an American-born Jew who has cast his personal and historical lot with Israel. The imaginary American Jewish friend to whom Halkin directs his onrush of argument is an equally committed young Jew who, however, upholds the possibility of a viable Jewish life outside of Israel. He has just returned to the United states after his second visit to Israel and written a letter of his impressions, which triggers the present correspondence. The two friends argue about Zionism, Israel, Jewish history and culture, the nature of Jewishness. As the gauntlet is flung back and forth, Halkin elaborates his case that Jewish history and Israeli history are two lines in the process of converging, so that for all practical purposes the struggle for Jewish survival and the struggle for Israel are the same; and that any Jew who chooses, in the absence of extenuating circumstances, not to live in Israel is removing himself to the peripheries of the struggle for Jewish survival and away from the center of Jewish history.

Dina Z, a Jewish-American filmmaker is seeking to document the lives of people who dwell on ancient holy ground and to discover how that history affects them. She falls in love with a Palestinian activist and sees him and his people in ways that were not available to her before the ancient story of Dinah and Shechem was revived through their meeting. This novel is a republication of Deena Metzger's 1989 novel, originally published by Viking.. This novel is a republication of Deena Metzger's 1989 novel. The original motivation for the novel was to investigate the Biblical story from Genesis, the story of Jacob and Leah's daughter who is loved and ravished by a "heathen," and whose brothers avenge her honor by slaying him on his wedding night. This story, which is somehow still unacknowledged, is of the ancient core of the intergenerational conflict remaining very much in our collective DNA, the story which has not been mourned, for which amends have not been made. Metzger is hoping to see if the retelling of it in a new way, the reliving of it, even if only in the creative imagination, could offer healing to the terrible history which was (which is) once again exploding in violence.

Israel's Mission to Oliver Cromwell is a historical account of the Jewish emissary Menasseh ben Israel's efforts to secure the readmission of Jews to England in the 17th century. The book recounts Menasseh's journey from Amsterdam to London in 1655, where he met with Cromwell and other prominent figures to argue for the rights of Jews to live and worship in England. The book provides insight into the political and religious climate of the time, as well as the challenges faced by Jewish communities throughout Europe. It also explores Menasseh's personal journey as a prominent Jewish leader and scholar, and his efforts to promote Jewish learning and culture. This book is a valuable resource for anyone interested in Jewish history, the history of England, or the intersection of religion and politics in the 17th century.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.

Product Description (EN) Three centuries ago, David Nieto entrusted to the Sephardic community in London some of the secrets behind the Merkabah, a divine Chariot seen by the Hebrew Biblical prophets. In the oldest synagogue of the United Kingdom, Bevis Marks, Nieto addressed the congregation in Judeo-Spanish and revealed in a poetic sermon the meaning behind Ezekiel’s vision of the chariot and its mystical ascent into heaven. His glorification of poverty, according to Kabbalah, sparked great controversy with the materialistic mainstream thought of 18th-century England. Triumphs of Poverty was buried in time and the publication was never translated into English. This first unabridged bilingual edition has been expanded to include various sources omitted in the original transcript.David Nieto (Venice, 1654 – London, 1728) was the Haham of the Spanish and Portuguese Jewish Community in London. He was one of the most accomplished Jews of his time and was equally distinguished as philosopher, physician, poet, mathematician, astronomer, and theologian.Nieto published in 1704, "A Tractate about the Divine Providence, i.e. Universal Nature or Natura Naturante" (translated by the author); "The Triumph of Poverty" in 1709; "Matteh Dan" in 1714; "Esh Daat" (The Fire of Knowledge), in 1715; "Recondite Notice of the Inquisition of Spain and Portugal" 1728. He died in London and is buried in the Old Jewish Cemetery in Mile End Road. An inscription on his grave reads: "Sublime theologian, profound sage, a distinguished physician, a famous astronomer, sweet poet, elegant preacher, subtle logician, ingenious physician, fluent rhetorician, pleasant author, an expert in languages, learned in history."(ES) Hace 300 años David Nieto confió a la comunidad Sefardita en Londres algunos de los secretos de la Merkabá , la carroza divina vista por los profetas hebreos. En la sinagoga más antigua del Reino Unido, Bevis Marks, Nieto se dirigió a la congregación en Judeoespañol y reveló en un poético sermón el significado tras la visión de Ezequiel, la carroza y su místico ascenso al cielo. Su glorificación de la pobreza, según la Cábala, desencadenó gran controversia frente al pensamiento materialista dominante en la Inglaterra del siglo XVIII. Los Triunfos de la Pobreza fueron enterrados en el tiempo y su publicación nunca fue traducida al inglés. Esta primera traducción íntegra bilingüe ha sido ampliada para incluir varias fuentes omitidas en el facsímil original. About the Author David Nieto (Venice, 1654 – London, 1728) was the Haham of the Spanish and Portuguese Jewish Community in London. He was one of the most accomplished Jews of his time and was equally distinguished as philosopher, physician, poet, mathematician, astronomer, and theologian. Nieto published in 1704, "A Tractate about the Divine Providence, i.e. Universal Nature or Natura Naturante" (translated by the author); "The Triumph of Poverty" in 1709; "Matteh Dan" in 1714; "Esh Daat" (The Fire of Knowledge), in 1715; "Recondite Notice of the Inquisition of Spain and Portugal" 1728. He died in London and is buried in the Old Jewish Cemetery in Mile End Road. David Nieto (Venice, 1654 – London, 1728) was the Haham of the Spanish and Portuguese Jewish Community in London. He was one of the most accomplished Jews of his time and was equally distinguished as philosopher, physician, poet, mathematician, astronomer, and theologian. Nieto published in 1704, "A Tractate about the Divine Providence, i.e. Universal Nature or Natura Naturante" (translated by the author); "The Triumph of Poverty" in 1709; "Matteh Dan" in 1714; "Esh Daat" (The Fire of Knowledge), in 1715; "Recondite Notice of the Inquisition of Spain and Portugal" 1728. He died in London and is buried in the Old Jewish Cemetery in Mile End Road. An inscription on his grave reads: Sublime theologian, profound sage, a distinguished physician, a famous astronomer, sweet poet, elegant preacher, subtle logician, ingenious physician,

Amy Levy(1861-89) was born in London to a relatively wealthy Anglo-Jewish family. At the age of 15 she was sent to Brighton High School and later attended Cambridge University where she was the first Jewish student at Newnham College. She left Cambridge without taking her degree but became a prolific writer of poetry, essays and articles and in 1888 published her first novel The Romance of a Shop. The central theme of Reuben Sachs, also published in 1888, is the relationship between Reuben and Judith Quixano, but some understanding of the history of the Jewish community in England is necessary for a full appreciation of this deeply moving novel. Much progress had been made and economic prosperity achieved since Jews returned to England in the 1650s, having been expelled by Edward 1 in 1290. A significant theme of the novel is the difference between the so-called Sephardi Jews (from Spain via Amsterdam) and Ashkenzi Jews (from Poland and Eastern Europe). Reuben Sachs is Ashkenazi while Judith Quixano is Sephardi. Amy Levy did not shrink from criticising some features of the Jewish community, which she consistently refers to in Reuben Sachs as ‘the tribe’. He frankness led to her being accused by some of anti-semitism. She in turn was openly critical of what she considered to be an inaccurate and over-romanticised view of British Jews as portrayed in the novel Daniel Deronda published by George Elliott in 1876. She was particularly critical of Elliot’s portrayal of Jews as orientals yearning for a return to Palestine

Experience the vibrant world of early 20th-century New York City through the humorous and insightful short stories of Montague Glass's "Elkan Lubliner, American." These tales offer a glimpse into the lives of Jewish immigrants working in the bustling clothing industry, navigating the challenges and absurdities of Americanization. With keen observation and a sharp wit, Glass captures the nuances of their experiences, creating a delightful and enduring portrait of a community forging a new identity. Dive into a bygone era filled with relatable characters and situations, where laughter and resilience intertwine. "Elkan Lubliner, American" explores themes of cultural adaptation, economic opportunity, and the enduring power of the human spirit, all presented with a generous dose of humor. This meticulously prepared print edition offers a timeless journey into the heart of a vital chapter in American history. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.