The Jewish World: 365 Days [Hardcover]

The Israel Museum Jerusalem (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 2004 | Series: 365 Days

The breadth of images displayed in this book offers a revealing, varied, and at times surprising look at the Jewish World. Some of the objects that can be discovered in this accessible volume include a circumcision set from Bohemia, rendered in gold, silver and steel (1681); 19th century incense burners from Yemen; silver fish-shaped spice boxes from fin de siecle Austria; and a Passover set created by contemporary artist Amit Shor in 1989. In addition to archaeological sites, ancient manuscripts and artefacts, works of art and ceremonial objects, the book also will include many images that evoke the history of everyday life in Jewish communities, for example, of jewellery, costumes, toys, household items, folk art, and period rooms. While the specimens originate from all corners of the globe, they are currently housed in the Israel Museum in Jerusalem, which has the world's pre-eminent collection of the archaeology of the Holy Land, Judaica and fine art. Founded in 1965, it is the leading cultural institution in Israel and one of the most extensive and comprehensive encyclopaedic museums in the world.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

So often, day books are vaguely fancy calendars that seem afraid to commit to any one particular year, the sort of well-meaning gift one never really cracks open. Of course, Abrams' 365 Days series has redefined the day book, but The Jewish World, released in the Jewish calendar year of 5765, is perhaps the most stunning example yet. With hundreds of thousands of artifacts to choose from, the chief curators at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem have assembled a vision of Jewish culture that celebrates the diversity, history and beauty of the Jewish experience back into time and across so many cultures that it feels like time stops altogether. Every page has a beautiful image with concise text that will be of interest to scholars and laypeople alike. Illustrated manuscripts, ceremonial stands, children's drawings, marriage contracts, photographs of early life on kibbutzim, alms boxes, prayer books, temple artifacts, dowry chests, tombstones, modernist paintings, and Hanukkah lamps: this book is both an aesthetic and a spiritual treasure trove. --Mike McGonigal

About the Author

Daisy Raccah-Djivre is chief curator of Judaica and Jewish ethnography at the Israel Museum; Silvia Rozenberg is Tamar and Teddy Kollek Chief Curator of Archaeology; and Yigal Zalmona is chief curator-at-large.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 744 pages
• Publisher: Harry N. Abrams (November 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0810955792
• ISBN-13: 978-0810955790
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.5 x 2.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #948,625 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A small treasure, February 13, 2006

By 

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

This review is from: The Jewish World: 365 Days (Hardcover)

I have had the pleasure of visiting the 'Israel Museum' in Jerusalem many times. Thus it was a delightful surprise to come across this volume which excellently provides reproductions of its most important holdings. The Museum is very rich in Archaeology of the Holy Land, in Jewish enthnography and culture. The illustrations here are beautifully done. The accompanying texts are informative in regard to describing the artifacts themselves.

I myself would have wished another feature, additional text containing various samples of Jewish traditional literature, from Bible, Midrash and various sages.

But the volume as it is is truly a small treasure.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Love This Book, March 20, 2007

By 

Minnesota Dancer "Salome Alexandra" (St. Louis Park, MN United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Jewish World: 365 Days (Hardcover)

I picked this book intending to give it but kept it as the information and how it is presented was so wonderful. I enjoyed seeing the art work from all over the world from the Jewish community as it expressed the oneness of the community itself and the region where the item was made. One day I hope to see these items in person.

5.0 out of 5 stars The Jewish World:365 Days, January 10, 2010

By 

Ana Lird ""book lover" (California,USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Jewish World: 365 Days (Hardcover)

I very please with delivery of the book it was prompt and well packed and the condition was as described the book look like new.