The Jewish Presence in Ancient Rome, Joan Goodnick Westenholz. Published by Bible Lands Museum, Jerusalem, 1995. Glossy card covers. 4to – over 9¾” – 12″ tall; 145pp., illustrated, bibliography. Contents in fine condition; very light shelf wear to covers. Published in conjunction with a special exhibition at the Bible Lands Museum Jerusalem, December 1994.
The Jewish community in the Roman Diaspora dates back to the second century BC and was comparatively large. Several synagogues and catacombs are known. After the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD, the community remained at some distance from the new, rabbinical Judaism of Judaeae, maintaining several archaic traits. It is likely that at least 40,000 Jews lived in Ancient Rome during the reign of Augustus.
