Laya Crust Bnei Akiva bencher cover design copyright Laya Crust

Laya Crust Bencher Cover

with One Comment BirkonJudaica

  I've been meaning to share this for a while. Although I provide cover designs for use with Bnei Akiva bencher orders, some families like to come with their own design, especially when the order is for a wedding. Sometimes I ask whether I can share the designs here because I think they are special. That is the case with this bencher cover. ...

New Edition of The Szyk Haggadah courtesy Historica

Szyk Haggadah- an interview with Professor Shalom Sabar

with 4 Comments EducationHolidaysJudaicaPassover

New Edition of The Szyk Haggadah courtesy Historica Background on the Szyk Haggadah

The current holiday season has given me a great opportunity to talk about the new edition of The Szyk Haggadah. Arthur Szyk (1894-1951) originally published his haggadah, a richly illuminated edition in gouache and watercolor, in 1940. It was printed in an edition of 250 and signed by Arthur Szyk and the historian, Cecil Roth. Roth also provided an introduction and commentary. Subsequently the haggadah was reprinted in less expensive editions in Israel, and could be found in many Jewish homes throughout the world.

p12 Arthur Szyk Kiddush Sanctification The Szyk Haggadah Lodz 1935 courtesy Historicana New Edition

Recently, Historicana, under the direction of Irvin Ungar, created a new edition of the haggadah with permission from the collector who owns the original Haggadah artwork and Arthur Szyk's daughter, Alexandra Szyk Bracie. This version of the Haggadah uses current technology for extremely vivid illustration photos, and includes a new translation and commentary by Byron L. Sherwin, and a companion volume, Freedom Illuminated: Understanding The Szyk Haggadah. I had the privilege of speaking with Professor Shalom Sabar, from the Jewish Folklore and Art History faculties at Hebrew University, Jerusalem, who is one of the contributors to the companion volume, and in interviewing him, by email.

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