Wigoder Geoffery (Ed.). Jewish Art and Civilization

Chartwell Books, 1972. — 358 p.Part religion, part culture and part life-style—the very
nature of Judaism is elusive. Born of the interplay between
internal forces and external pressures, Judaism
developed out of a precarious tension that encouraged
introspection at the same time as it led to the formation of
a cohesive, yet multi-faceted vision.
Taking up where the Bible left off, this definitive study
traces the history of the Jewish spirit and civilization
through the ages. Color and black-and-white illustrations
complement a text authored by eight distinguished
scholars.
Under the general editorship of Geoffrey Wigoder of
the Hebrew University ofJerusalem and editor-in-chief
of the Encyclopaedia Judaica, noted authorities in Hebraic
study have written their evaluation of the special cultural
contribution of the Jewish people in each of eight major
regions of the world. The areas covered include most of
Europe, the Near East, the United States and Israel—
virtually everywhere that Judaism has been a significant
influence.
The distinguished contributors have written on the
subject ofjewish spirit and civilization within their own
sphere of competence. They have also examined the
contributions of individual Jews. The major significance
of the Jewish presence differs from locality to locality
— in some it is social and economic, in others it is literary
and artistic. What emerges is the pattern of the cultural
history oftheJewish people—placed in the perspective of
a comprehensive Jewish history.