Dear Friends,

The Jerusalem Books Winter 2007-2008 Catalog has come out and will be arriving in the mail in a couple of weeks. Yes, we still send out a hard copy and old catalogs can be viewed on our website.

I would like to take this opportunity to mention certain areas of Israeli publication that get less attention.

Pamphlets, or as often described, ‘hovrot,’ are soft cover booklets which can be unimportant advertising material or undated and/or anonymous reprints of abridged prayers. Most of this material is popular and unwanted by librarians. However, there is a small world of such material that can be rare and of some historical interest. Sometimes one finds such ‘Grey Material,’ from lesser known Yeshivot containing interesting collections of articles on certain areas of Talmud or Halakha with significant articles by groups of leading Rabbis from specific movements or communities (for example, National Religious, Sephardi – North African – Shas..).

One such glossy, full size pamphlet entitled, ‘Sidna Baba Sali,’ is a memorial journal to R’ YisraelAbuhazera z”l for the 24th anniversary of his passing. The journal is also a promotion and publication of the Baba Sali institutions in Netivot a Negev development town as well as numerous Sephardi businessmen who have what could be described as adverts or salutations in the booklet. What I would like to highlight are the letters from R’ Mordechai Eliyahu and Metzger, (Chief Rabbis), stories – articles from Rabbi Shimon Biton of Bet Shemesh on the folklore of the Abuhazera dynasty in Morroco and R’ Abargil on ritual customs. As well, the pamphlet contains two examples of Sephardi Piyyut / Poetry and an interesting family tree. Upon more close examination, this seemingly popular promotional piece contains history and folklore, customary of this important Jewish community that stretches from the Jewish expulsion from Spain through Morocco, France and Israel today.

Cat.no. 66194 $27.50

Recently I saw a small booklet, ‘Shir Mizmor’ / SeferHashirim (Doyan), 2ndupdated edition; published by DefusHaKohanim, Bnei Brak 2004 (we also had the earlier, 2003 edition). It is a book of poetry – piyyut in Hebrew and Judeo-Arabic. The area of Sepharadi-North African poetry and its connection to Spain as well as Arabic and Islamic culture is fascinating and ripe for research. Cat.no.46414 $15.00

Now it should be said that one of the difficulties with this type of material is that availability is always uncertain.

Finally, another look needs to be taken at the area of publications for youth, particularly Haredi youth. Let’s skip the 8 small illustrated volumes on Bible – Humash, by R’ YakovHofkovitz, titled, ‘ParshatHashavu’a..’ (cat.#66163)

or the 3 volumes, (same author), on ‘Nakh,’ (Midrashe ha-Nakh le-Yeladim) Midrashic stories on the Prophets!

Instead, some attention and consideration should be given to acquiring and collecting the hard cover, 5 (thin) volume set of graphic novels, yes, Haredi Comics. The set published by SifriyatZarkur, ‘SidratSipurHai,’ consists of hand drawn, black and white comics with hand lettered cursive print dialog approximately 65-70 pages each. They begin with vol. I:The Spanish Inquisition; vol II: Jews and Arabs and Jews and Russian Gentiles; vol III: on Jews against Greeks and “Reform” (in Morocco), volumes IV and V are on Jews versus Polish or Ottoman Turkish Gentiles and vis-a-vis Napoleon. The philosophical and historical importance of this ultra-orthodox worldview, the literary, sociological, pedagogic and political implications it carries are worthy of collection examination and research.

Cat. #66195 - 5 vols. $ 94.00 (this is sold only as a set)

Lastly, I want to mention a touching children’s book, written by a fifth grader, entitled, ‘Ke-She-Ha-Karish ve-Ha-Dag Nifgeshu La-Rishonah.’ (“When the Shark and the Fish First Met”). What is especially exceptional is that the book was written by GiladShalit, nine years before his kidnapping by Hamas and captivity in Gaza. The book published by Habanim is filled with about 25 beautiful color illustrations donated by artists, members of the Union of Illustrators. Cat. # 66249 $21.00

I hope that this focus on Israeli publications that some might regard as marginal is interesting and worthwhile. As always, your comments and interest are welcome.

Wishing you a warming winter-into-spring and a Happy Purim from all of us at Jerusalem Books Ltd.

Sincerely,

JeffSpitzer

PS- For all those interested in Haggadot from Israel, please contact ASAP.