You likely know Walter Trier’s illustrations—even if his name doesn’t ring a bell. For many, the characters and landscapes he brought to life have been etched into memory through countless childhood readings of “Emil and the Detectives,” “Lisa and Lottie,” or “The Flying Classroom.” This is the story of the talented illustrator who breathed life into Erich Kästner’s characters.
The Jewish Mother Who Defeated Emperor Charles V
A Jewish mother will do everything for her children, but in this case – “everything” included taking on the Holy Roman Emperor himself and building a web of intrigue that spanned continents and several royal and noble houses. This is the story of Gracia Mendes Nasi, otherwise known as Dona Gracia.
From Hitler’s Beer Hall to the National Library in Jerusalem
In the immediate aftermath of the Holocaust, a large number of Jewish books were discovered by the Jewish Brigade in a famous Munich beer hall considered to be the cradle of Nazism. How did the books end up there? And after they were discovered, where did some of them disappear to?
How Curious George Escaped the Nazis and Brought Joy to the World
One of the sweetest and most beloved characters in children’s literature was created in the minds of a Jewish refugee couple. Who were Margret and Hans Rey? How did their talent allow them to escape Nazi Europe by the skin of their teeth, and what other character beloved by generations of young boys and girls did they create? This is the story of the author and illustrator whose innocent and optimistic children’s books continue to brighten our lives to this day.
Joy and Medals, Sorrow and Pain
This summer’s Paris Olympics warrants a historical look at some of European Jewry’s athletic stars… and tragic losses
Marc Chagall’s Gift: A Mosaic of Generosity
The French artist once designed something special for his friends’ garden in Washington, D.C. In turn, they provided a unique experience for congregants of a synagogue across the street.
Keepers of Jewish Treasures: Meet the Participants of the International Judaica Curators Conference
Some 50 men and women charged with preserving the cultural treasures of the Jewish People came from all over the world to attend a professional conference which now took on a different, deeper, and more urgent significance. “Here, we felt a little less alone” was something we heard from everyone we spoke to. Here’s a peek behind the scenes into the world of those who seek to protect the cultural heritage for the Jewish People.
The Lost History of the Jews of Corfu
In memory of an ancient community snuffed out by the Holocaust.
Even Borscht Tastes Like Home
New on the shelf: When we leave home, even when we make that decision willingly and voluntarily, there is still a connection to the place we left behind. And there’s nothing like food to reawaken those memories and that unique sense of longing.
Stetl-Mentality and Non-Native Ignorance: David Weiss Halivni and Gerson Cohen on the Ordination of Women
An old letter that has recently surfaced at the National Library of Israel sheds new light on a controversy which rocked the world of Conservative Judaism some 40 years ago…
