The 12-volume 'Jewish Encyclopedia' was published in New York City, United States, under the editorial leadership of Isidore Singer. This monumental reference work compiled the comprehensive history, religion, culture, and social achievements of the global Jewish diaspora from biblical times to the early 20th century. It represented a major cultural milestone, combining traditional rabbinic textual analysis with modern academic historical research methods.

By systematically mapping out Jewish folklore, Hebrew poetic structures, and diaspora history, this encyclopedia provided a key cultural touchstone for early 20th-century Jewish poets. It offered an invaluable archive of traditional imagery that writers used to explore modern identity and themes of migration.