The Jewish Spirit: A Celebration in Stories & Art

To quote the editor of this noteworthy collection, "a peoples' tales are its memory, its conscience--its imaginative channel to its place in the world." Accordingly, this clothbound, 240-page volume includes ancient stories as well as more contemporary literary narratives by such renowned writers as Grace Paley, Bernard Malamud, and Franz Kafka. Ranging from traditional Hasidic tales to Sephardic folklore, the stories reveal the unique heritage and customs of the Jewish community: they are passionate, inspirational, and often humorous tales that speak of origins, ethical dilemmas, exile, and the passing down of cherished beliefs. Illustrating this vast, remarkable anthology is a brilliant selection of art, featuring more than 120 color plates relating to the Jewish experience by such masters as Marc Chagall, Ben Shahn, Max Weber, and Louise Nevelson.