Happy New Year card from Chanes Family to Howard Lenhoff. American Jewish Historical Society.
Paper on board, 1900. Many Rosh Hashanah greeting cards are decorated with or take the form of ships conveying the holiday greeting (as here). Yeshiva University Museum.
Williamsburg Art Co., NY. Origin: Saxony c. 1910/1915. “A Happy New Year. We’re here to let you know That good times are coming Times of light, of fortune and joy The world is being renewed!” YUM.
Williamsburg Post Card Co., NY. Printed in Germany. “A Happy New Year! Dear angel, write us down In the book of luck and life And our good, forgiving God Will give it his OK!”
Postcard, c.19th-20th century. This card combines Jewish identity (lions supporting a Star of David) with Austrian patriotism (the photograph of Franz Josef). Mailed fr. Austria to Newark, NJ. YUM.
Paper, ca. 1900. Inscribed in Hebrew, “Happy New Year.” Boy and girl walk hand-in-hand behind dog. Yeshiva University Museum.
All images: Collection of Yeshiva University Museum
Shana Tova!
The start of this year marks a new beginning for us here at the Center for a Jewish History. We’re opening the new David Berg Rare Book Room to showcase treasures from the collections of our five partners, launching a program season packed with everything from concerts to symposia, and embarking on an exploration of the Jewish community of 18th-century Metz, France with a conference and exhibition (co-sponsorsed by YIVO) that we would love for you to attend.
You can start planning your visit to the Center by clicking here.
For more historic greeting cards like the ones above, visit the Center for Jewish History’s Flickr photostream. You can also click here to connect with the Center for Jewish History on Facebook and Twitter.
by Sarah Ganton, Reference Services Research Intern, Center for Jewish History
The ways in which we preserve history for future generations are particularly relevant during holiday seasons, when we remember traditions and objects that mark special days. We might save our grandmother’s menorah, or pass down the secret family recipe for hamentashen. The yearly Sukkah is, of course, too big to save for future generations,…
Hanukkah Quizzes by David P. Rosenberg, Senior Reference Librarian – Collections, Center for Jewish History
Above image: Children pull strings at Center to retell story of Hanukah, circa 1940. National Jewish Welfare Board Records. c/o American Jewish Historical Society
As you can see from this c. 1940 photograph from the National Jewish Welfare Board Records, Hanukah quizzes were historically (and continue…
We’re honoring National Preservation Week (April 26 through May 3) with a series of posts from our archival experts about the best way to take care of your precious artifacts at home. From April 29 to April 30, we’re also holding free events at the Center. Come by to learn more in person!
