by Isaak Landman, / Varda Books
Of three multi-volume English-language Jewish Encyclopedias, the Universal Jewish Encyclopedia occupies a very special place among Jewish-interest Encyclopedias: unlike the other two encyclopedias, the primary purpose of the Universal Jewish Encyclopedia was adult Jewish and non-Jewish education.
Created by Reform Rabbis and Jewish Scholars, many of whom escaped from Nazi Germany, the Encyclopedia exhibits a unique sensitivity to all forms of anti-Semitic agitation and malice and makes every effort to find allies among others, especially Christians, to forge a shield for Jewish people in the face of the coming catastrophe.
To do it, the Encyclopedia creators worked feverishly to bring the reading public the most trustworthy and authoritative information requesting contributions from many Christian scholars in Europe and the United States.
Aiming to SUPPLEMENT rather than replace already published twelve-volume Jewish Encyclopedia, the editors and authors of The Universal Jewish Encyclopedia have created a truly invaluable resource which lets readers learn even when its perspective on events fails.
Because many of its articles were published in 1943, the Universal Jewish Encyclopedia continues to be one of the most engaging sources of reportage on the changing status of the world Jewry immediately preceding and during the first stages of the Holocaust.
The Encyclopedia's sensitive and highly instructive analysis and reporting of all major events throughout the amazing history of Jewish civilization continue making it one of the largest and most interesting -- if often not fully appreciated -- educational Jewish resources anywhere.
The Reading Guide and Index
A major element of this lively work is its Reading Guide which helps a reader find appropriate information in this massive ten-volume work. The Reading Guide turns the Encyclopedia into the largest textbook of Judaism and Jewish Studies.
The Guide using as its metaphor seven-branch national menorah of Israel, divides Encyclopedia's material into seven main areas: History, Literature, Religion, Jewish Life, Jews and non-Jews, and Jewish Contribution to the Civilization.
Made up of 100 well-thought-through Outlines, the Guide selects for a reader the most appropriate of more than 10,000 articles. The added convenience of the current electronic edition, is that the Guide and these articles have been linked and made accessible with a single click.
free ebook The Universal Jewish Encyclopedia (10 vols. plus Reading Guide & Index)