A Sampler of Jewish-American Folklore

by Josepha Sherman, Jacqueline Chwast (Illustrator)

This anthology reveals the varieties of Jewish wisdom, cleverness, irony and humor through tales filled with allegories preaching humility and charity.

The vast body of Jewish folklore, influencing and influenced by the many and various cultures in which it came in contact over the ages, reflects both the struggle and the triumph of being a Jew. The stories in this book come from many sources and includes lunar holidays and everyday observances; wonder tales from the Sorcerer's Apprentice; a Jewish version of Cinderella; tales of dybbuks, golems and other supernatural beings; and superstitions and traditions surrounding birth, marriage, and death. Josepha Sherman strives to reveal the unique Jewish flavor, characterized by an enduring wit and humor alongside the path of surviving centuries of persecution.

Contents:
Life and celebrations --
Love and marriage --
Birth and childhood --
Death and mourning --
Wonder tales --
Tales of ghosts and dybbuks --
Clever folk and survivors --
Allegories and moral tales --
Humorous tales --
A sampling of proverbs and riddles.

215 pages, Hardcover

First published September 25, 1993

About the author

Josepha Sherman was an American author, folklorist, and anthologist. In 1990 she won the Compton Crook Award for the novel The Shining Falcon.