The Jew At Home And Abroad, Published by the American Sunday School Union, Philadelphia 1845. An early publication for American youth about the Jewish people and their ways of life.
An early publication released by the "American Sunday School Union" titled "The Jewish People and Their Way of Life" aimed to provide young Americans with basic knowledge about the Jewish people and their way of life. The author explores the unique customs of Jews in Poland, Hungary, England, and other countries, their clothing, their business practices, Jewish customs regarding courtship and marriage, the Jewish woman and her customs in the home during holidays and weekdays, the influence of Jews on the nations of the world in all aspects of life, the characteristic attire of Jews, the Jewish community and its internal structure in various European countries, Jewish charitable activities, Jews in Palestine and their uniqueness compared to the diaspora Jews ("In Palestine, everyone is a rabbi and everyone is Orthodox"), and more. The book is accompanied by illustrations of Jews in traditional attire in different locations, customs, sacred objects, views of Eretz Israel, and more.
The organization that published the book, the "American Sunday School Union", was one of the largest and most influential religious organizations in the United States. By 1845, the ASSU had established over 100,000 Sunday schools across the country, with over one million registered students. The organization was non-religious, and its Sunday schools were open to children of all faiths. Its purpose was to assist students in studying the Bible and developing their faith. The organization's attitude toward Jews was ambivalent - on one hand it valued Jews and their contribution to human history, on the other it was tainted by superstitious beliefs about them and anti-Semitic influences especially regarding Jewish involvement in commerce.
188 p. 16 cm. Stains on some pages. Hardcover, gilt lettering on spine. Good condition.
