Two new books have been published in the “Gesharim – Bridges of Culture” publishing house with the aid of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress.

The book “1812 – Russia and the Jews: Russian-Jewish Historians on the War of 1812” was published in time for the 200th anniversary of the Napoleonic Wars in Russia. A beautiful, richly illustrated edition includes the fundamental scholarly work by important historian Saul Ginzburg, titled “The Patriotic War of 1812 and the Jews,” which had first been published in time for the 100th anniversary of the victory over the French. Also included are the the works of Ginzburg's contemporaries, Sergei Ansky and Yuli Gessen, as well as the articles of modern scholars Veniamin Lukin, Dmitry Feldman, Saveliy Dudakov.

The album “Jewish Holidays in Postcards,” published shortly before Rosh-ha-Shana, gives a broad presentation of the Jewish holiday postcard, widely spread in the late XIX – early XX century. The postcards depict multiple facets of the Jewish world at the time – traditions and customs, general and family holidays, everyday life. Having started with postcards, the publishing house plans to acquaint its readers with “mikhtav galui” (“open letter,” Hebrew), which depict other aspects of Jewish life.

As EAJC Secretary General Michael Chlenov notes, “We are happy that, thanks in part to our participations, such wonderful books are being published. The support of Jewish publishing, as part of educational activity, as part of our efforts to preserver historic memory and national tradition, have always been one of the directions of Congress activity.

It is especially nice that these books have been published in time for the Jewish New Year, for books have always made the best gifts, at least for anyone from the “People of the Book.” I am certain that these editions will find their attentive and grateful readers, and bring them much pleasure.”