The Paper Shtetl: A Complete Model of an East European Jewish Town

This cut-and-assemble Paper Shtetl captures the flavor of Jewish life in small towns of Eastern Europe. The shtetl, which literally means "small town," was the closest thing to a city in rural areas of Poland, Austria-Hungary, and Russia. In these market towns, Jews provided goods and services for the local farmers and villagers. Here, too, jews conducted their own community life and developed the unique culture known as Yiddishkeit.

Children and dults of all ages can learn and be entertained as they construct this authentic model of a Jewish market town. In the House of Study, men study the sacred texts while children learn to read in a makeshift school called a heder. Outside a wedding is taking place under a canopy with dancers and musicians. Men and women attend to their work in their homes and shops as people in the marketplace kibitz, argue, and play. In the synagogue, a Torah reader chants from a scroll before the Holy Ark. A family at home sits down to enjoy the Sabbath meal.