59 maps; 438 illustrations, 183 in colour
The history of the Jews is the story of the survival of an ancient people with little territorial continuity, but with a strong sense of national continuity and cohesion. In the face of persistent persecution, massacre and exile they have nonetheless retained their integrity and selfesteem. Laid low by the traumatic events of the first half of the present century, they have earned the admiration of the world for their determination not only to piece together again the blood-stained shreds of their culture but also to make a success of the newly created state of Israel. This atlas, the first of its kind, chronicles the history of the Jewish people on three parallel planes.
Part One - The Historical Background - traces the Jews' survival from antiquity to the present day, their migrations and the vicissitudes of their history. The backbone of this section is a series of world maps, showing the distribution of Jewish communities, their numerical strength and their degree of self-government. Special features focus on the Cairo Genizah, the Kingdom of Herod and the Golden Age of Amsterdam.
Part Two - The Cultural Background - surveys aspects of Jewish culture and religion, stressing the homogeneity and diversity of Jewish life in different times and places. Special features here make full use of the visual riches of Jewish culture to examine the vexed question 'Who is a Jew?' and the ancient injunction 'No Graven Images' as well as such absorbing topics as the Jewish Year, Synagogue Architecture and the Bible.
Part Three - The Jewish World Today, the sum of the two earlier parts - presents in text, maps arid pictures a geographical survey of world Jewry by regions and countries. The picture that emerges is often bleak, sometimes blank; but here and there a shining ray of optimism suggests the possibility of continuity or revival. Special features are devoted to the cosmopolitan communities of New York, Paris and Jerusalem.
The inclusion of Chronological Table, Glossary, Bibliography, Gazetteer and Index makes this book the ideal introduction to the Jewish world for Jew and non-Jew alike.