Today I pray for a return

A return to the narrow streets

Where we walked close together

Hands almost touching

Today I pray for a return

A return to your bed

Though my husband lays still in mine

Today I pray for a return

For Selomah to return to the Earth

So that I may return to you

Yours, Sarah de Isaac Pardo

Miniatures from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries were typically constructed from ivory and painted on with watercolor. As one can see in this miniature of Judah Eleazer Lyons, this is very much the case; his face is defined in muted pastel colors, and the only real richness in tone can be found in the dark grays, browns, and blacks that are present in his hair, eyes, and coat. Despite this being such a small medium, only three by two and a half inches in size, this miniature artist was able to capture Lyons’s facial features in lovely detail, including eye wrinkles and the definition of his morning shadow. Being that this miniature is encased in a gold locket (as many miniatures are), it can be inferred that this portrait was likely kept as a sign of affection by one of Lyons’s family members. This is significant because it emphasizes kinship and community within the large Paramaribo Jewish population while also demonstrating how Jews of both the elite and working classes showcased their sense of refinement and social status.

Now check your knowledge on miniatures using this fill in the blank quiz!

Sources:

“Judah Eleazer Lyons.” Loeb Jewish Portrait Database, loebjewishportraits.com/biographies/judah-eleazer-lyons/.

Rosengarten, Theodore and Dale Rosengarten, eds. A Portion of the People: Three Hundred Years of Southern Jewish Life. Columbia: University of South Carolina Press, 2002.

This is an excerpt from a letter exchanged between Rebecca and Rachel Gratz in 1806. If you look closely, you will notice the casual handwriting as well as where the author of the letter underlined phrases to denote emphasis. The style of letters exchanged between the Gratz sisters reveal familiar and sincere nature of letter writing in the early 19th century. Furthermore, the content of their letters illustrate the inner-workings of Jewish society in Philadelphia.

Please take the quiz below to see how you might fit in among the Gratz Sisters!

Sources: http://rebeccagratz.blogspot.com/

To be a woman: is to only know the word of men?

by Jesse Weiss

My heart no longer misguided

Rains down, my image withers 

Born of choice only

Men hold

I grasped in my fingers

A fleeting moment

Hashem broke the mold

When they made me

Indecent

Douse me in rouge

But let my child

Be among 

Chosen Men

So that his cage does not

set.

The quotes above come from records of the Mahamad discussing the circumcision of the son of Rebecca Gomes. Rebecca Valverde Gomes was a woman who took part in a massive scandal in the Nidhe Israel Congregation in Bridgetown Barbados. Mrs. Gomes, while married (however left her husband), lived and had an affair with another man . While pleading with the synagogue to circumcise her son, the meeting showed her little mercy (although perhaps more so than other women in her position). In the quotes above lies the apparent rejection of Mrs. Gomes’s appeal with testimony as evidence of her character (shown in the second quote) which was referred to in the minutes as “fact.” This testimony painted Mrs. Gomes as an “indecent” and “scandalous” individual, going so far as to imply that Mrs. Gomes threatened more reckless behavior if Mr. Costello (her lover) would leave her. The board used this as testimony as proof that she forfeited the right to have her son circumcised. This record seems to be a reflection of the way women were viewed in the eyes of the Synagogue, worth mentioning in scandal and viewed with little to no compassion.

Dear Rebecca Valverde Gomes,

I hope this letter finds you well. I recently heard of the issues surrounding you and your son and felt compelled to reach out. As a woman who has had to both face similar, intruding questions and endure ridicule from friends, family, and peers, I am writing to let you know that there are many people in this world disgusted and ashamed of Mahamad’s decision. Moreover, because of the recent information uncovered about Hazan, I am sure that you are feeling many emotions- anger, confusion, and exhaustion to name a few. I encourage you to realize this was not a reflection of you or your family, but rather the social standards set in place. While I know I can offer little to no help for you and your family, I hope that my message has allowed you to see that you are not alone in your endeavors. Many people feel similarly to you, and we all hope that as time progresses, men and women can be held accountable in similar ways. In the meantime, please continue living a modest and decent life.

Warmly,

A

To Madam Valverde Gomes,

I only recently heard of your predicament with regards to your dear child and the Mahamad. I write to you now, as a mother myself, and furthermore, a woman of conscience and empathy. As I learned of the Mahamad’s rulings, I must note my own astonishment at their rash punishments meted out against your son. I hope my words will bring comfort to the whole rather shameful situation.

With recent revelations regarding the Hazan, himself, I know a woman in your position might find herself in a fair rage. While I will not shame you for such a response, I entreat you to respond with temperance and restraint. Your cause is righteous and just. To see the Hazan’s own indiscretions being treated with such indifference by the same men who condemned you in no uncertain terms cannot be easy. You alone will decide where to go from here. However, please know, you are not solitary and alone in the face of injustice.

Wishing you all the best in these trying times,

A Concerned Congregant of Nidhe Israel

Use this resource to look up the form of a poem. I haven’t added much to the Hebrew side yet, but I will continue to update it.