The Jewish Spirit: A Celebration in Stories & Art [Hardcover]

Ellen Frankel (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 28, 1997

The Jewish Spirit includes contemporary lite rary narratives and ancient stories, many of which tell of h eroes, masters of cunning and spiritual courage, recounting tales of failure, of sexual trespass, intellectual conceit, and much more. '

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

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.

From Library Journal

Frankel (The Five Books of Miriam: A Woman's Commentary on the Torah, LJ 1/97) is the editor-in-chief of the Jewish Publication Society and is also a professional storyteller. Her new venture is an ably edited coffee-table offering of Jewish wisdom, divided into seven sections that focus on such issues as family, community, and the human life cycle. She makes use of mystical lore and folk tales from around the world but also includes such great Jewish writers of the 20th century as Martin Buber, S.Y. Agnon, Sholom Aleichem, I.B. Singer, Franz Kafka, and Elie Wiesel. The color illustrations gathered from far-flung museums and institutions are worth the price of the book alone. Coffee-table books often make a rather slim and stiff introduction to a topic, but this is a lively one with a focus on the universal. Recommended for libraries seeking a representative selection from the Jewish tradition.?Paul M. Kaplan, Lake Villa Dist. Lib., Ill.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Stewart, Tabori and Chang; 1St Edition edition (August 28, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1556706235
• ISBN-13: 978-1556706233
• Product Dimensions: 12.8 x 9.4 x 2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,039,573 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Dr. Ellen Frankel currently works as a freelance writer, editor, and lecturer. In 2009, she retired after 18 years as CEO and Editor in Chief of The Jewish Publication Society, and now serves as its first Editor Emerita. She is the author of nine published books, including The Classic Tales, The Encyclopedia of Jewish Symbols, The Five Books of Miriam, The Jewish Spirit, The Illustrated Hebrew Bible, two collections of contemporary stories for Jewish young people, and most recently, The JPS Illustrated Children's Bible, which won a National Jewish Book Award. In addition to her books, Frankel wrote the libretto for Andrea Clearfield's oratorio "The Golem Psalms," and is currently at work on two commissioned opera libretti. Frankel travels widely, speaking at synagogues, schools, and conferences.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Jewish Spirit, April 5, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: The Jewish Spirit: A Celebration in Stories & Art (Hardcover)

This book is an amazing work. I can read it again and again for hours!
If you are interested in folktales, this book is for you.
If you are interested in art, this book is for you.
If you are interested in great literature, this book is for you.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Table-book pleasure, February 7, 2005

By 

Shalom Freedman "Shalom Freedman" (Jerusalem,Israel) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: The Jewish Spirit: A Celebration in Stories & Art (Hardcover)

This is a very pleasant and well- done work. The combination of art work and literary selections provides interest and entertainment. This is not however a scholarly work, and does not explore any of its themes in real depth. It is the kind of book which can be dipped in, and tasted usually with delight. Of the various table- book anthologies on Jewish culture that have appeared in the past ten years or so, this is certainly one of the best.

9 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Wuonderful Book!, October 27, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Jewish Spirit: A Celebration in Stories & Art (Hardcover)

A great book with beatuful art and incredable stories. From folk tales to modren setings, this book has lots of stories to warm your heart. I loved it and highly recommand it.