|
A Field Guide to Visiting a Jewish Cemetery
clearly offers something missing in Jewish genealogical research: a
good book on understanding the ways of Jewish cemeteries and how to
interpret the Hebrew inscriptions on tombstones.
The fact that tombstone
inscriptions are in Hebrew can be a challenge to some researchers. But
the material presented in the book is simple enough that it can be
understood by those with the most minimal exposure to Hebrew. Yet it is
comprehensive enough to be a valuable resource to the most
sophisticated Jewish readers.
It has a dictionary of
Hebrew words found on tombstones but also includes common expressions
that appear. The carving of a tombstone can be expensive and sometimes
Hebrew expressions are represented in abbreviated form. An appendix
shows commonly used abbreviations.
5½" x 8½" 220 pp. softcover $22.95 $21.00
|
|
|
Click to see sample chapter
|
Dedication
i
Preface
vii
Acknowledgements
ix
1.
The Jewish Cemetery
1
2.
Monument Inscriptions
27
3.
Monuments 101
35
4.
Tombstone Art
49
5.
The Introductory Line
59
6.
Name Line
73
7.
The Date Line
91
8.
Epitaphs - Standard
119
9.
Acrostics, Poetry and
Other Longer Epitaphs
129
10.
Epitaphs of General Interest
143
11.
Monument Fabrication and Errors
151
12.
Sample Monument
Inscriptions
163
Appendix A:
Holiday Differences for Jews Living in
Israel
and Reform Jews
175
Appendix B.
Translations of Epitaphs in Hamadrikh
177
Appendix C: Annotated
Bibliography
185
Appendix D: Abbreviations and
Prefixes
189
Index
195
|