Books
Jewish books are a source of great inspiration for Jews world-wide with a wide variety of different themes and genres that connect to the Jewish community in ways both religious, emotional, artistic, and informative.
One of the most popular genres of Jewish books is Israeli history books that cover all different angles of Israel’s past, present, and possible futures. Often, these Jewish books take on a very informational tone as they meditate on Israel’s politics, economics, and most famously, her military struggles.
Though not unique to Jewish books, the genre of historical fiction takes on a different atmosphere in Jewish books. The Holocaust is a favorite topic in this genre. The intense emotions, heavy visuals, and meaningful messages portrayed in such Jewish books make them one of the best ways to learn about Jewish culture and history as well as one of the most world-changing events ever. Many of these Jewish books have been turned into Israeli movies to reach a wider audience.
One popular author in this category of Jewish books is Leo Uris. Uris is widely recognized for Jewish books about the Holocaust such as “Mila 18” about the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising and “Exodus” which follows Jewish refugees after World War II as they attempt to reach the land of Israel and build a nation.
These types of Jewish books tell moving stories as while educating us about the rich and fantastic history of a determined people. Jewish books such as Uris’s and the history told within them affect all areas of modern Israeli art including Israeli music.
However, the term “Jewish books” does not only refer to Israel, the Holocaust, and related issues. Jewish books include works be world renowned authors for works not connected to Judaism.
Franz Kafka is one such example as is Kahlil Gibran famous for his Jewish books related to spirituality, but not to Judaism. Other types of Jewish books are well known for being excellent aides to the Jewish faith and many are written by famous or highly respected Rabbis such as Rabbi Meir Lau. These Jewish books cover all aspects of Judaism. Some attempt to inform beginners of the Jewish traditions and religious practices while others delve deep into religious texts attempting to explain the meaning of the universe through Hebrew texts or Kabbalah.
Many Jewish books are well-recognized for their significant contributions at all levels of society. This includes Jewish cooking books that most often like to bring you different takes on typical Israeli dishes. There are however, a great number of Jewish cookbooks that also cover food from different countries where there are or once was a large Jewish population.
Books Guide
World of Judaica is proud to offer a wide and growing selection of Israeli books on our site! Jewish Books have been a source of inspiration for generations and are an integral part of one of the most important values in Judaism – education.
Important Jewish Books
The variety in themes in Jewish books is vast, and includes religious, emotional, artistic, informative, historical, cultural, culinary and more. At World of Judaica, we operate all of our business from Israel, and therefore are at the centre of the political, economic, military, and cultural aspects that shape the nation of the Jewish people. This has all been chronicled in Israeli and Jewish books, yet it is a history so dense, not even dozens of books could tell the full story.
Jewish writing was flourishing in the land of Palestine from as early as the seventh and eighth centuries in the form of poetry. In the past few decades, many books related to the Jewish people tell a story through emotions and visuals. This is common in books about the Holocaust; for example, Leon Uris’s Mila18 about the Warsaw uprising, or Exodus about the Jewish refugees after WWII, and their attempt to build a nation. Other famous Jewish books include: Start Up Nation by Dan Senor and Saul Singer, Jerusalem: A Sotry of Forty Centuries by Teddy Kollek and Moshe Pearlman, The Sabbath by Abrahan Joshua Heschel, The Devil’s Arithmetic by Jane Yolen and My Life by Golda Meir.
Genres
Not all Jewish books are necessarily about these topics. There are many well-known Israeli writers who discuss spirituality, culture, and cooking! Life-cycle (birth, marriage, and mourning) is also a popular topic in Judaica books. People are telling their stories of Jewish dance, yoga, and tips on navigating the ‘shuk’, or Israeli outdoor market. Israeli and Jewish authors are also well known for their everyday works of fiction such as Jonathan Safran Foer, American Jewish author of Everything is Illuminated and Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close.
Jewish Film
Eventually, many of these well-known pieces of literature were made into movies, as the film industry could attract a wider audience. Today, although many films related to Judaism are still based off of historical events, books have become far more present than ever before. Now, people are writing about what is happening today – about the technological and economic boom in Israel, and its role in shaping an un-stable middle-east fighting for freedom and democracy.
We hope you will enjoy our selection of literature – it tells a story of rich history amongst a determined people.
For More Information
For more information about Israeli Books, Israeli movies, or any other Judaica products, please feel free to contact our Judaica experts with any questions or concerns.
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