title: Thea : To Alexandria Jerusalem and Freedom
author:  Ada Aharoni 
description: "This is a book about the Levant at its best, and is a real message of peace between Jews and Arabs." -- <i>Shimon Peres, former Israeli Prime Minister</i><br /><br />Ada Aharoni's books are a lesson in Peace for all time, a lesson in Action for all Women. -- <i>The Jerusalem Post</i>
zlib_text: **Dedication**
  
  For Chaya and Avraham Osea in loving memory
  
   **Epigraph**
  
  All the rivers run into the sea; yet the sea is not full; unto the place from
  whence the rivers come, thither they return again.
  
  Ecclesiastes 1:7
  
   **Contents**
  
  Dedication
  
  Epigraph
  
    
  
  List of Illustrations
  
  List of Maps
  
  Foreword
  
  Part One: _papyrus, potsherd, parchment_
  
  1\. In Egypt
  
  2\. The Words
  
  3\. Delving, Divining . . .
  
  4\. Classical Jews?
  
  Part Two: _mosaic, parchment, paper_
  
  5\. The Menorah and the Cross
  
  6\. Among the Believers
  
  7\. The Women of Ashkenaz
  
  8\. Trials
  
  9\. Exile from Exile
  
  Maps
  
  Acknowledgements
  
  Bibliography
  
  Notes
  
  Index
  
    
  
  Photographic Insert
  
    
  
  About the Author
  
  Also by Simon Schama
  
  Credits
  
  Copyright
  
  About the Publisher
  
   **List of Illustrations**
  
  > The streets of Elephantine, courtesy of Oxford Film and Television Ltd
  
  > Khirbet Qeiyafa © Tim Kirby
  
  > Silver benediction amulet, courtesy of Israel Museum, Jerusalem/The
  > Bridgeman Art Library
  
  > Stone shrine from Kh