judaica web store
How It All Began
The story of Miller Books and Judaica begins in a small courtyard in the remote village of Surani, in the plains of Slovenia. A young boy eagerly watched his neighbor, the village bookbinder. The old man labored from morning till night, hunched over worn books whose pages were tattered and yellow from years of use. The boy spent countless hours in quiet, intense observation. His eyes were riveted to the bookbinder’s quick, experienced hands, hands which lovingly grasped those cherished holy books. Eyes shining, the bookbinder cut, glued, and sewed. And unfailingly, when he finished repairing a book, he would gently kiss its cover, an awe-filled kiss that conveyed his reverence for every holy volume.
These emotion-laden scenes stayed with the boy throughout his childhood, instilling him with a deep desire, even at that tender age, to bring honor and glory to siddurim and sifrei kodesh. It was a dream that he never forgot.
R’ Mordechai Nosson Miller was just twenty years old when he emigrated from Hungary to the Holy Land, with the outbreak of World War II. The fact that he was a refugee didn’t diminish his motivation or his drive by one iota. He was determined to succeed in Torah learning and in his mission to glorify the name of Hashem and His mitzvot.
Upon his arrival in the Holy Land, he developed a close relationship with Rabbi Yitzchak Tzvi Dushinsky, who loved R’ Mordechai Nosson like a son and taught him Torah. Later, when R’ Mordechai Nosson had built a large, beautiful family of his own, he continued to study Torah diligently during every free moment.
He had the soul of an artist, but above all, he was a true G-d fearing Jew. R’ Mordechai Nosson Miller never lost sight of his goal and his vision: to rebuild the glory of Jewish life that had been brutally destroyed in Europe. This single-minded dedication and sense of committment to preserving the past ultimately enabled R’ Miller to establish his life’s work, Miller Books and Judaica.
A Dream Come True
Soon after his marriage, R’ Mordechai Nosson realized the fulfillment of his childhood dream. With his wife’s help, he decided to open his own bookbindery in the Holy Land. It was a perfect outlet for his talent and creativity. R’ Mordechai Nosson had a tremendous love for sifrei kodesh, and prayer books in particular. He also had a burning desire to build a new generation of Jews who would serve G-d. These stellar qualities contributed to the success of his enterprise despite the difficulties of that time period, and he quickly became well known in the field of antique-book restoration. The orders kept coming, and his professional work was received with high regard. With much Divine assistance, the business grew and flourished. Despite the demands of his business, R’ Miller continued to study Torah and spread Torah ideals.
His children grew up living and breathing books. When they got older, they too joined their father’s business. The business expanded, yet still maintained its family feel, even on today’s new judaica web store. Slowly, more out of necessity than anything else, the bookbindery added a printing house, and eventually, other departments were added as well.
From Bookbindery to Factory
As the years went by, the children took over R’ Mordechai Nosson’s role in the business, and today the factory headquarters is run by his two sons. Some of his grandchildren continue the family tradition and hold various positions in the company. Today, the business has been launched into the internet age, hosting one of the most impressive judaica web stores.
Until his final days, R’ Mordechai Nosson exhibited the same drive and energy that characterized his youth, standing alongside his workers amidst the heavy machinery in his factory. He was always bursting with fresh ideas and new designs and projects, especially when it came to restoring and reproducing centuries-old works of Jewish books and art.
R’ Mordechai Nosson Miller’s boyhood dream was fulfilled beyond anything he ever imagined. His legacy lives on at Miller Books and Judaica’s retail centers and judaica web store