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"I and the Village" (left) and "Self Portrait with Seven Fingers" (right) are paintings by Jewish artist Marc Chagall

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Marc Chagall (1887-1985) was a Jewish artist who created dreamy, abstract paintings that uniquley depicted his daily life. He grew up just outside of Poland in in Vitebsk, Russia, and painted throughout Europe including Italy, Poland, and Spain. He is most famous for his vibrant colors, but his works also feature animals, floating creatures, unique shapes, all having distinct meaning and symbolism. Chagall was most influential in his movement for abstract art, encouraging styles such as Cubism (2D, one perspective), Suprematism (geometry) and Surrealism (creative and impossible images). Chagall was a monumental figure in Jewish art, illustrating daily life of him and his community, and paving the way for future Jewish artists.

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Marc-Chagall

https://www.theartstory.org/artist/chagall-marc/#:~:text=Chagall%20worked%20in%20many%20radical,in%20an%20entirely%20abstract%20style.

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Music was a large part of Jewish culture, with many different genres and styles expressing the daily lives of Jewish people. Religious and Folk were the two main categories. In synagogues, trained vocalists known as cantors would sing cantillation, nusah, and hymns, wich were religious prayers and songs for the community. Yiddish folk songs, also known as Klezmer, were also very popular and described daily life. People listened to Klezmer for pleasure, religious purposes, and in ceremonies such as weddings. Music was one of the largest forms of expression in the Jewish community, and was present throughout Jewish life and history.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88pCBld3TVk

https://www.berklee.edu/careers/roles/cantor

https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/synagogue-music/#:~:text=The%20musical%20components%20of%20the,and%20in%20some%20communities%2C%20niggunim.

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Yiddish Song -  Belz, Mayn Shtetele Belz

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Group portrait of the members of the Zionist pioneer youth group, Ha-Shomer ha-Tsa'ir Hachshara. Kalisz, Poland, May 1, 1935.

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Majority Zionist youth movements were established in Eastern Europe in the early twentieth century. Their goal was to nationally revive the Jewish community in their own homeland. These organizations were a big part of the Zionist movement. A Zionist youth movement is formed for Jewish children for educational and social development. This is often achieved through regular meetings that socialize participants within their groups, and camps.This movement allowed children to express themselves freely, while still pointing them in the right direction.

https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/gallery/jewish-life-in-europe-before-the-holocaust

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Children from the Yugnt Fareyn (Union for Jewish Youth) Folkshul (secular elementary school), in costume for a play. Bialystok, 1919.

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Child care was an important aspect of Jewish life. It was an important value for many Jewish families and communities, thus leading to further investment in education and care for children. Furthermore, rabbis and other religious figures were often involved in child care in many ways that benefitted the community. Altogether, the prioritization of child care in Jewish communities led to better quality of life for Jewish people and a lower childhood mortality rate.

Source:

https://sapir.tau.ac.il/sites/economy.tau.ac.il/files/media_server/Economics/Sapir/papers/%D7%A6%D7%91%D7%99%D7%A7%D7%94%20%D7%90%D7%A7%D7%A9%D7%98%D7%99%D7%99%D7%9F_%20%D7%9E%D7%95%D7%9B%D7%9F_%204-16.pdf

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Ruth Kohn (top row, second from left) and her classmates at a school in Prague. Prague, Czechoslovakia, 1928

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Schools in early 1930s Jewish communities generally looked like Jewish congregational schools. These schools transitioned Jewish schooling into a primary emphasis on religion instead of the usual cultural education. Congregational schools were able to make of themselves in new urban and suburban settings, but Yiddish schools and more radical schools had trouble due to increased economic mobility and immigrant children. These schools typically left room for fun, while still having time for both general education, and religion.

https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/gallery/jewish-life-in-europe-before-the-holocaust

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A frame in a Polish film, where Jews from the town of Zareby are seen dancing

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Jews in Eastern Europe experienced happiness in a myriad of ways. Like other groups at the time, they went to the theater, attended sporting events, watched Hollywood blockbusters, and went to musical concerts like people around the world. Furthermore, traveling and experiencing new places became an important part of life for many Jews, especially those more wealthy. Though experiencing discrimination both economically and socially, Jewish people persevered and found many ways to have fun.

Source:

https://www.yivo.org/Polish-Jews-and-Leisure-Travel

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Klezmer musicians, Eastern Europe, ca. late 19th century.

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There were a lot of different activities that each represented an important aspect of Jewish life in pre-war Europe. Specifically, Music emerged as a pinnacle of Jewish culture and expression around the late 19th century. Going into the 20th century, new avenues of communication such as the radio paired with the emergence of Jewish musicians enabled music to become an important part of Jewish life.

Source:

https://yivoencyclopedia.org/article.aspx/music/an_overview

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A painting of a traditional Jewish Shtetl by Chana Kowalska in 1934

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Before the war, while many Jewish populations were assimilated with the general European public, other Jews lived in small, rural towns called Shtetls. Located in Eastern Europe and comprised almost entirely of Jewish people, Jews in Shtetls lived lives in close knit communities centered on religion, family, and community. For these Jews, family was a key part of everyday life. These communities featured a main town center, a market, a synagogue, and houses for its inhabitants.

The vibrant colors in this painting above showcase the beauty, joy, and simplicity in everyday Jewish life.

Source:

https://www.theholocaustexplained.org/life-before-the-holocaust/pre-war-jewish-life/

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This is the Cofnas family at their sons Bat Mitzvah in Birmingham 1956

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A common Jewish rite of passage is known as a Bat Mitzvah. The culture is that a girl must become accountable for her own religious and moral behavior at the age of 12. A boy obtains this level of responsibility at the age of thirteen. Upon this age, it is tradition to hold a ceremony for the child's milestone in life. It is a very important, and exciting day in the families life. It is often the child's first large social event. Family and friends gather to celebrate the child's accomplishment as seen above.

https://www.theholocaustexplained.org/life-before-the-holocaust/jewish-beliefs/festivals/

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Judaism is one of the oldest religions, originating in Israel, 1800 BC. It is a monotheistic religion, believing in one God who created life and is an all seeing being. There are many branches and communities of Judaism, who all follow these general beliefs but split at the specificities of the religion.

Elie Wiesel was a Jewish survivor of the Holocaust, and wrote the book "Night" explaining his life in and out of concentration camps. He was born in Sighetu Marmatiei, Romania, in 1928. At the time, Sighet was a poor Jewish ghetto. People relied on religion and community, and one of Elie's greatest mentors was a man named Moishe the Battle, who taught him about the religion which Elie was deeply passionate about. Elie asked him unanswerable questions about God, and Elie writes about their conversations stating: "We spoke that way almost every evening, remaining in the synagogue long after all the faithful had gone, sitting in the semi-darkness where only a few half-burnt candles provided a flickering light" (Pg. 5). Religion is a reoccurring theme in Night, and while Elie frequently questioned his faith and the power of God, he ultimately stays faithful demonstrating unconditional dedication to his religion.

https://www.history.com/topics/religion/judaism

https://www.chipublib.org/elie-wiesel-biography/#:~:text=Elie%20Wiesel%20was%20born%20in,%2C%20Sarah%20(Feig)%20Wiesel.

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Men, women and children gather at Chanukah celebration in 1938

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Hanukkah is a Jewish festival commemorating the recovery of Jerusalem and the rededication of the Second Temple at the beginning of the Maccabean Revolt against the Seleucid Empire in the 2nd century BCE. The holiday is celebrated by lighting a candle on the menorah each of the 12 nights, singing special songs, reciting Hallel prayers, and eating food fried in oil. The days are held to celebrate Jewish past, and be grateful for the present. It is a time to celebrate with your full family.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanukkah

https://www.theholocaustexplained.org/life-before-the-holocaust/jewish-beliefs/festivals/

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The Neumann family celebrating Shabbat in the 1930s.

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Shabbat is the weekly day of rest. It begins Friday at sunset and ends Saturday at dark. It's a day for worship, joy, and family. Shabbat begins with the lighting of two candles. This is followed by a blessing over a cup of wine and a communal sharing of bread. Shabbat is a regular reminder that God made the world and rested on the seventh day. Its celebration is extremely important in Jewish culture.

https://www.theholocaustexplained.org/life-before-the-holocaust/jewish-beliefs/festivals/

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Elie Wiesel, holocaust survivor, and author of "Night."

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Yom Kippur is arguably the holiest day in Judaism. The day is centered on atonement and repentance. The most common tradition of this day is to fast. In the book "Night," upon Yom Kippur, Elie “did not fast… And then, there was no longer any reason for [him] to fast. [he] no longer accepted God's silence” (69). The resistance in not celebrating a day as important as this one highlights the pain the Jewish community endured in their relationship with faith during the Holocaust. The connection and culture of Yom Kippur was taken away from them in a way that never should.

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The Holiday Series, Rosh Hashanah (1948) by Arthur Szyk

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Rosh Hashanah marks the beginning of the Jewish New Year. Rosh Hashanah is a Hebrew phrase, that means 'the head of the year'. On this day, many take the time to reflect upon their previous year and plan for the oncoming on. Often, Jewish people blow a Shofar (a curved ram’s horn). A common tradition associated with the holiday is to pray beside a water body. It is followed by tossing bread into the water. The holiday has become so valued that often work is canceled on the new year. It is truly a time to stop your duties, and reflect.

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/us/rosh-hashanah-see-what-is-it-how-is-it-celebrated-and-more/articleshow/103700259.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst

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Adele and Bernhard Hirschowitz, a jewish couple, at their wedding in 1932

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In a time of rising nazism, Jewish communities didn't let the hate of the future stop them from carrying out the religious celebration of love. Jewish weddings often consist of long lasting traditions such as reading from the Torah, ring exchange, vows under the chuppah, and celebratory dancing. As any other community, Jewish people valued this day as a joyous new begging of the merging between families, and hopefully the start of a new one.

https://www.theholocaustexplained.org/life-before-the-holocaust/jewish-beliefs/festivals/

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Rabbis are leaders of Jewish Synagogues who have studied the religion and educate other Jewish people regarding their faith. They also assist communal activities such as reading at weddings, saying prayers at bar and bat mitzvahs, support families during times of struggle, and work in schools to educate children on Judaism.

Prophets also play important roles in Jewish life. They interoperate God's words and teachings and spread them to the people. The most prominent Prophets of Jewish history are Moses, Joshua, Isaiah, and Jeremiah.

Jewish religious leaders are important to bring communities together, aiding them in their religious journeys, giving each faithful person someone to look up to.

https://www.britannica.com/topic/Neviim

https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/list-of-jewish-prophets

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Food is one of the most important aspects of Jewish culture. Different dishes are used for celebrations, religious practices, and daily life. Some of the most popular Jewish foods are matzah balls, challah bread, and shakshouka. Matzah balls are balls of meat in a vegetable soup, which represents the un-risen bread the Jews ate while fleeing Egypt in 13th century BCE. Challah bread is bread made with egg yolks and honey, and represents bread from heaven, further symbolizing unexpected joys that people come across in life. Finally, shakshouka is a dish that arrived in European Jewish towns as a result of the Columbian exchange in the 16th century. New ingredients such as tomatoes and peppers were available, and the Jewish people made it into one of the most sacred dishes. Jewish food holds stories and memories of history, and is an ever changing form of expression in the religion.

https://www.britannica.com/topic/shakshouka

https://modernistbread.com/the-significance-of-challah/#:~:text=The%20term%20“challah”%20is%20applied,last%20through%20the%20Saturday%20Shabbat.

https://www.newyorker.com/culture/kitchen-notes/the-perfect-simplicity-of-the-matzo-ball#:~:text=We%20eat%20matzo%20on%20Passover,ritual%20requirement%20for%20matzo%20balls.

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Eldridge Street Synagogue, New York City, USA

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The Eldridge Street Synagogue is one of the oldest Jewish Synagogues, built in New York City, USA, in 1887. Not only is it a place of worship and prayer, but represents sophisticated architecture and intricate designs. The Synagogue was built by European Jewish immigrants, and represents many popular Jewish architectural styles such as Gothic, Romanesque, and Moorish. Originating in Spain, Moorish is the most present style in the Eldridge, and many other Synagogues. Moorish designs include big arches, elaborate tiles made of wood or stucco, and square courtyard gardens. The Eldridge Street Synagogue is a masterpiece of Jewish architecture and design, and still stands today to share its beauty with the world.

https://www.nypap.org/preservation-history/eldridge-street-synagogue/

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Jewish art was not only for professionals, and people of all ages and talents expressed themselves through it. The photo above are images of daily life drawn by children, and were most likely drawn using crayons. Especially in the early 1900s, as anti-semitism rose, art became a powerful expression for Jewish people.

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Poster for a Yiddish Theater Performance encourages people to vote for Jewish candidates

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The Yiddish theater was one of the most popular and influential Jewish theater styles, with over a dozen groups and thousands of performances. Many Ashkenazi Jewish people spoke Yiddish, so it became the primary language in productions, ensuring the intended Jewish audience could understand. While the Yiddish theater preformed a variety of genres, around the 1900s political affairs became more relevant in daily life, thus in theater as well. If leaders or rules were anti-semitic, productions would mock them, and vise versa. For example, the image above is a propaganda poster encouraging people to vote for Jewish candidates in the upcoming Constituent Assembly elections of 1917-18. The words on the top of the poster read “There where we live, there is our country," telling people to make the right choice when voting. Theaters would often make plays about current events such as this, mocking anti-semitic leaders or praising pro-Jewish ones. The Yiddish theater was among the most influential programs in Jewish communities, offering laughs, cries, and positive political influence to the Jewish people.

https://www.haaretz.com/jewish/2019-12-29/ty-article/.premium/why-modern-anti-zionists-love-the-bund/0000017f-e147-d7b2-a77f-e3479f2a0000

http://www.museumofyiddishtheater.org/the-history-of-yiddish-theater.html

https://www.jstor.org/stable/41205704

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Prominent Jewish authors and books that were burned in the holocaust. Photo credit USHMM.

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The Hebrew Bible is one of the most prominent texts in Judaism, teaching followers how to live a faithful life. Inside the Hebrew Bible is the Torah, Nevi'im, and Ketuvim writings, wich are some of the oldest Jewish scripts. The Torah writes about Jewish history and guides followers through life with the Ten Commandments, a set of holy laws. The Nevi'im focuses on early Jewish history and establishment, especially stories about important figures such as Moses, Joshua, Judges, and Samuel. Finally, the Ketuvim contains poetry, religious commitments, overall faith of Judaism.

https://www.britannica.com/topic/Hebrew-Bible/Books-of-the-Hebrew-Bible

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Image capturing a Jewish part of the town of Plonsk, a town in Poland

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Jews were often discriminated in the taxation system, especially in Poland. Different laws taxed Jewish businesses at far higher rates than the average. As a result, though only making up around 10% of the population, taxes on Jews made up 30% of total government funding.

Source:

https://networks.h-net.org/node/3911/discussions/5740776/jewish-minority-inter-war-poland

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Image of Jewish vendors selling goods outside of their synagogue in Krakow, Poland

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In pre-war Europe, the Jewish population was divided between large, urban cities, and small, rural towns. In cities, Jewish people were free to explore a myriad of different professions, with many becoming prominent doctors, lawyers, and business owners. In contrast, occupations in smaller towns was far more limited. Most became farmers, but some, like Elie's dad, became business owners.

Source:

https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/jewish-life-in-europe-before-the-holocaust

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Image of an auction of land purchased by Jews from Arabs in modern day Tel Aviv

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Zionism was a political and cultural ideal that was important for many Jews in pre-war Europe. Zionists advocated for the return of Jews to the holy land (modern day Israel and Palestine), and for the creation of a Jewish state (a wish that became fulfilled with the creation of the state of Israel in 1948).

In Night, Elie suggests to his father that the family moves to Palestine, likely a showcase in his belief in Zionism. Many Jews at the time bought land and moved to Israel/Palestine.

Source:

https://www.mahj.org/en/permanent-collection/12-jewish-intellectual-and-political-movements-europe-late-19th-and-early-20th

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Bundism, in opposition to Zionism, was another influential political philosophy for Jewish people at the time. Bundism, a form of socialism, believed in Jewish political autonomy, and the uniting of Jewish workers in Eastern Europe.

Source:

https://www.mahj.org/en/permanent-collection/12-jewish-intellectual-and-political-movements-europe-late-19th-and-early-20th