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If these magnificent illustrations drawn in gold, blue and bright red look familiar to you, it’s because many of them have been reprinted in modern-day Haggadahs. Furthermore, you have no doubt had the opportunity to see them at some point on the seder table, situated between the gefilte fish and the second cup of wine. Most of us had Haggadahs at home that contained drawings taken from that ancient and exquisite Haggadah known as the Sarajevo Haggadah, which over the years have become integral symbols of the holiday. The Sarajevo Haggadah is the most famous Haggadah, and perhaps the most[…]

The stage and cinematic history of The Megile written by the acclaimed Yiddish poet and playwright, Itzik Manger, is quite long. But in line with accepted practice, it’s worth starting from the beginning. Manger was born in 1901 in Czernowitz, the capital of Bukovina – a region that links Romania and Ukraine – which today is part of Ukraine.  Following the outbreak of the First World War, Manger fled to Romania. As a young man, he lived in Bucharest and Warsaw, as well as other places. After the Nazis rose to power, he fled once again, and this time to[…]

If you Google Lillian Vernon’s name, the first thing that pops up is a garment bag, which is used to transport clothing without leaving them creased. The item is made of lightweight, but durable, polyester, that can be monogrammed. If it’s not out of stock, you can order one on Amazon for $32.99. This simple item aptly illustrates the fundamental nature of the business empire built by Lillian Vernon, whose family fled from Nazi Germany to the United States when she was a young girl. The garment bag is a practical, yet essential, product. It’s not expensive, but has an[…]

Starting from the end of the Ottoman period, continuing through the entire British Mandate, and in the first decades following the establishment of the State of Israel, there was an extraordinary woman who worked in Jerusalem. Her name was Dr. Helena Kagan, and she was the first pediatrician in pre-State Palestine. Kagan laid the foundations of pediatric medicine and socialized medicine in the country, making her a legendary figure. In the 1960’s, the Hebrew daily Maariv described her as “the woman who treated all of Jerusalem’s children – Jews and non-Jews alike, children who lived in the aristocratic neighborhood of[…]

13 years have elapsed since Dr. Felix Zandman passed away, but his story continues to resonate. There are innumerable accounts about the Holocaust, as well as a host of stories dealing with the Holocaust and rebirth. But the unbelievable story of Felix Zandman is truly extraordinary and beautiful because it embodies a victory against all odds, the importance of education and knowledge, a moving plot about friendship, mutual assistance, and readiness to sacrifice for others – in addition to miracles and wonders. Zandman is also the epitome of a rare human combination: a scientist with a remarkable entrepreneurial spirit, who[…]

Just like in the different categories of popular culture, where there are big and widely known names, including creators, writers or performers – the very mention of whose name is enough to spark interest or cause people to take out their credit card – there are also the small names. Needless to say, great works have been created by people belonging to both groups. But quite often the small and unfamiliar names are the most interesting ones because their path in the world of culture, which transcends periods and places, is surprising, elusive and baffling. That holds true for the[…]

Everyone knows who Shai (Shmuel Yosef) Agnon is thanks to the fiction he wrote. But one of his best-known books, and perhaps his greatest and most ambitious undertaking, was actually an anthology – a compendium as that genre was called at the time – which was published in 1938. Agnon compiled and edited the anthology Days of Awe: A Treasure of Jewish Wisdom for Reflection, Repentance, and Renewal on the High Holy Days, whose Hebrew title is Yamim Noraim – High Holy Days – which can also be translated as ‘terrible days.’ It contains stories and commentaries dealing with Rosh[…]

Nessim Joseph Dawood, who translated the Quran into English in the middle of the 20th century, was not, of course, the first to translate the Holy Book of Islam into English. But he is responsible for its most widely read and popular translation. Interestingly enough, one of the people who deserves the most credit for introducing Islamic culture to the West was a Jew. The Jew in question was born in Baghdad, Iraq to the Yehuda family – a longstanding and highly respected Jewish family that left the Land of Israel prior to the destruction of the First Temple. However,[…]