The Jewish Journey: 4000 Years in 22 Objects From the Ashmolean Museum

by Rebecca Abrams, Simon Schama (Foreword)

A ring seal from the siege of Bronze Age Lachish; a Dead Sea Scroll jar from first century Judaea; a clay camel from Tang dynasty China; a Medieval magic amulet; an English five pound note forged in a Nazi concentration camp; a painting within a painting...

These are some of the remarkable Jewish objects in the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford, brought together here for the first time to Ancient Mesopotamia to the present day. Spanning 4000 years and fourteen countries, they document the astonishing diversity and adaptability of Jewish life over the centuries, and the long history of close interaction with other cultures and religions of the world.

Author Rebecca Abrams reveals the fascinating stories behind these little-known treasures, and the people who owned, made, and used them, from kings, courtiers, and scholars, to merchants, musicians, and market-stall holders.

Genres: History, Jewish, Nonfiction, Art History

232 pages, Paperback

Published October 16, 2017

Reviews

[Katherine Shock · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started reading this book, thinking it was a beautifully illustrated coffee table book and was delighted to find myself on a gripping journey - taken with lyrical strides through the whole of Jewish history. The Ashmolean Museum provides the links through its 22 objects for a really personal understanding of where Jewish history has twisted and turned in sadness and joyful times, culminating in a pride to see it established enough to produce this fine book, written by a writer who will enchant and inform you simultaneously.

[Darlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great addition to a home library (or a bar/bat mitzvah gift.) Abrams gives us a timeline of Jewish history with beautifully photographed objects, both ritual and secular. The timeline at the bottom of each page is especially interesting as it puts Jewish world events in perspective with the peoples around them.

There's a particular focus on the British Isles, but all of the book contains fascinating details of Jewish life and history.

[UrKultur · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely brilliant. I loved this book. It makes Jewish history so accessible and a completely new way into the Ashmolean Collection. I’d like to see a whole series of such books.

[MICHAEL · Rating 4 out of 5]

A novel and very readable insight into Jewish history by means of some lesser-known and surprising contributions over many centuries.

[Amanda Mackenzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sparkling and highly innovative account of Jewish history through hidden objects in the Ashmolean Museum. Wonderful!

[Ms abigail ff green · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a wonderful, richly researched read and a pioneering project that uses material culture to tell the Jewish story through the ages in a completely original way, situating Jewish life within a series of different cultural contexts and providing a fresh take on the fantastic collection at the Ashmolean.