RARE TREASURES FROM JEWISH HISTORY FEATURED IN NEW HOLIDAY FILM SERIES
The National Library of Israel, in collaboration with the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies, has launched the first three installments of a new series, A Look at the Jewish Year, providing insights into the Jewish calendar and holidays through the lens of the National Library of Israel’s world-leading collection of Jewish manuscripts, books, printed materials and more.
Exceedingly rare items showcased in the films include (top) a nearly thousand year-old Jewish calendar found in the famed Cairo Geniza; the 13th century Worms Mahzor, which includes the first written example of Yiddish and survived the Holocaust; and (above) an 18th century manuscript known as Sefer Evronot featuring an array of stunning illustrations. More modern items, such as (right) an early 20th century poster of a traditional Succot holiday meal, and flags waved by children on Simchat Torah are also presented.
Each of the approximately 15-minute clips features a conversation between Dr. Yoel Finkelman, curator of the Haim and Hanna Salomon Judaica Collection at the National Library of Israel, and Rabbanit Nechama Barash of the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies, as they take a look at some of the rare items in the National Library’s collections and discuss the texts and questions surrounding them.
The first film focuses on the Jewish calendar, including its development from ancient times until the present; the second film focuses on Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur; and the third installment discusses the festive holidays of Succot and Simchat Torah at the end of the holiday season.
The project also includes source sheets with questions and links to additional materials that can be used to help lead group discussions and activities or enriched personal reflection.
The Haim and Hanna Salomon Judaica Collection at the National Library of Israel includes the vast majority of Hebrew and Jewish books, journals and magazines ever published; thousands of Hebrewletter manuscripts, as well as digital and microfilm copies of some 80,000 such manuscripts from collections across the globe; the world’s largest collection of Jewish music; and hundreds of personal archives.