The Jewish Journey: 4000 Years in 22 Objects

A spectacular overview of the collection of Jewish objects in the Ashmolean Museum; spanning over 4000 years and 14 countries.

This accessible and beautifully illustrated book tells the history of the Jewish people through 22 remarkable objects, drawn from the collections of the Ashmolean Museum. A ring seal from the siege of Bronze Age Lachish; a Dead Sea Scroll jar from 1st century of Judaea; a clay camel from Tang Dynasty China; a Medieval magic amulet; an English five pound note forged in a Nazi concentration camp; a painting within a painting. This wonderfully insightful and detailed book is a perfect gift.

These are some of the remarkable Jewish objects in the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford, brought together here for the first time to tell the history of the Jewish people from Ancient Mesopotamia to the present day. Spanning 4000 years and 14 countries, they document the astonishing diversity and adaptability of Jewish life over the centuries, and the long history of close interaction with other cultures and religions of the world.

Author Rebecca Abrams reveals the fascinating stories behind these little-known treasures, and the people who owned, made and used them, from kinds, courtiers and scholars, to merchants, musicians and market-stall holders.

"The Jewish Journey takes twenty-two of the great riches of the Ashmolean Museum - and with the guidance of Rebecca Abrams, the model of learned story-teller, provides a route through time and its objects to moments of illumination." Simon Schama

"Flawless storytelling-intelligent curation, gorgeously illustrated. The Jewish Journey is a celebration of Jewish life in all of its worldly immensity." - The Financial Times"