Book Reviews
Idylls of the Gass. By Martha Wolfenstein. Philadelphia, Jewish Publication Societyof America.
Full of that gentle humor which charms but does not exhilarate, at times pathetic and yet thoroughly human; close insight into child-life, — these are qualities in Miss Wolfenstein's book that place it above the average story told of Jewish life. Shimmele! — who has not known him — inquisitive, voracious, affectionate, and shrewd. He is the elfish body-guard of his grandmother, who stands in wonderful contemplation of his intellectual precocity. And we know well enough the back-stub, with its savory dishes, its gossiping housewives, its minor wails of woe. We may not be so familiar with Vetter Yossel, but then he is a unique character, unique in strength, unique in the romance which has been his tragedy. And coming to the tearful part of it, we know the miscreants who badger Schimmele, the cruel tormentors who sting and then stand off deriding. We know too, — has not Jewish history had its pages crimsoned by them? — we know too well the fanatic, stupid charge of ritual murder, which in this “Idyll of the Gass,” is the death of Vetter Yossel and Maryam. And all this is so charmingly told, with clear and certain effects, that when we close the book, Schimmele groping in the dark and touching the cold body of his grandmother, it seems that we have heard retold the tragedy of Jewish life: first so fresh and vigorous, then slight tones of grief, want, oppression; then bloody persecution, then darkness and wandering in that darkness.
Miss Wolfenstein is practically a new writer, her former stories having been mere sketches. In his book she attempts a further flight and at least shows us a character in development. Here too she shows her skill and literary delicacy. The Jewish Publication Society, which is slowly but surely finding its purpose, has in this story
added one to those few other books which willstrengthen it among all those who are interestedin the Jewish life which we in America are rapidly forgetting.
Brief Notes
The “Hebrew Union College Journal” for December contains a very interesting essay by Solomon Foster on anti-Semitism, and a letter from Mr. Martin A. Meyer. In his letter Mr. Meyer speaks of the children in Jerusalem schools answering questions of teachers in pure Hebrew. The “Jewish Comment,” which makes a specialty of foreign articles, has issued a Chanuka number which was finely printed and furnished admirable reading matter to the student interested in contemporaneous Jewish affairs. The book number of the “American Hebrew” was typographically attractive. “Helpful Thoughts,” a satisfactory monthly published in the interests of Sabbath schools, is progressing very well under its new management and for some time has refrained from threatening to die. “The Menorah” has reprinted its symposium on Zacharias Frankel in pamphlet form. This series of essays is very interesting and gives one a fair estimate of Frankel’s position in German Jewish history. The “H’Ibri,” a Hebrew weekly, ceased publication for some time, but has again resumed. Another Hebrew weekly is now being published in New York, for how long none can tell. It is called the “Hatikvah,” of which Glucksohn is editor.
We have received a copy of Margaret E. Sangster's “Winsome Womanhood,” which is beautifully printed and is a very valuable volume for girl's reading, barring a few chapters which will certainly not interest Jewish girls. The illustratione of this book are fine specimens of photographic work. Fleming H. Revell Company publish the book.