Palestine – A Photographic Book from the Land of Israel by the Swedish-Jewish Photographer Hanna Riwkin-Brick

Palestine – A Photographic Book from the Land of Israel by the Swedish-Jewish Photographer Hanna Riwkin-Brick

PALESTINE – A Photographic Album from the Land of Israel by Anna (Hanna) Riwkin-Brick, with texts by Daniel Brick, published by The World Publishing Company, Cleveland – New York, 1948. Hardcover with the rare original dust jacket, all complete.

Views of landmarks and people in the Old City of Jerusalem – the Western Wall, the Temple Mount, Jewish and Arab figures, Rachel’s Tomb, pioneers engaged in settlement work, citrus orchards, a Jewish Noter (policeman), Yemenite Jews, scenes from the young city of Tel Aviv, Rishon LeZion wineries, educational institutions, and many more.

The Swedish-Jewish photographer Hanna Riwkin-Brick [1908-1970], born in Russia, first gained recognition in Sweden and internationally for her portraits, theater and ballet photography, and children's book illustrations. Immediately after World War II, she traveled to photograph the Land of Israel. She is considered an expert in capturing the blend of old and new—portraying traditional figures, historical buildings, and sacred sites, alongside images of modern Israel, pioneering activities, schools, and Zionist institutions.

Daniel Brick, who wrote the introduction on historical Palestine and the Jewish struggle for statehood, also provided the captions for his wife’s photographs. He managed the Jewish Agency's office in Sweden, and immediately after the declaration of the State of Israel, he was authorized to issue visas for immigrants and travelers from Scandinavia to Israel. His academic background in history and religious studies, combined with his deep commitment to the Land of Israel, enabled him to accurately describe the scenes captured in this book. Prior to this work, Brick chronicled life in the Land of Israel for many years in the Judisk Krönika, Sweden’s primary Zionist journal. He also played a crucial role in combating antisemitism by writing and editing books about Jewish history and culture. Shortly after the war, he edited a multilingual newspaper published by the Swedish authorities for survivors of Nazi concentration camps who arrived in Sweden in 1945. He also led Yiddish radio broadcasts for Jewish refugees. Through a combination of objectivity and passion, Daniel Brick succeeded in fostering understanding and sympathy for the Jewish people’s unique destiny among both Jewish and non-Jewish audiences. This same balance of objectivity and enthusiasm underpins his captivating historical narrative in this book, tracing the transformation of Palestine from ancient times to the modern era.

[126] pages. 29x22 cm. Full-page photographs on every page. Hardcover with the original dust jacket. Minor tears along the edges of the jacket. Condition: Good - Very Good.