Judaism and Jewish Libraries: An Exploration Presentation for Jackson Library Staff and Other Guests December 3, 2009

Topics Judaism as –Religion –Culture –Jews are also part of a nation. (We wont get into this.)

Religion Judaism in Less than Five Minutes Rabbi Andy Koren, Reform Temple Emanuel, Greensboro, NC

Chumash, Tanakh, Mikraot Gedelot Chumash (from Chamseh, five) - –printed form of the five books of the Torah - –Divided into 54 parshiyot (one read each week) –has cantillation, vowel points, also Rashis commentary. –The Torah scroll does not. The Tanakh - acronym for Torah, Neviim (prophets) and Ketuvim, (writings) –to refer to the Hebrew Bible as the Old Testament is considered pejorative –same books as Protestant Bible, different order Mikraot Gedelot-Rabbinic Bible - –Tanakh plus commentary

The Bomberg Babylonian Talmud Venice, part of the 40 million dollar Valdonna Trust, currently at Sothebys waiting for auction. It will not be divided. The collection numbers around 11,000 rare books and manuscripts: Talmud comprises Mishnah and Gemara (which comments on the Mishnah)

Part of what was received at Sinai in addition to Torah (written law). Oral tradition dealing with (there is one exception) halacha or law. Mishnah is the oral law. Compare to midrash which deals with Scripture commentary or exegesis (interpretation) Organized by subject. Basis of rulings, law for the Jewish people. MISHNAH

Religion Denominations Orthodox (See handout for variations) Modern Orthodox Conservative Reform Reconstruction Renewal Humanist

Singer as a Representative of the the Jewish Community Complex relationship to Judaism Orthodox background, Polish Developed aprivate mysticism G-d does not respond: how could He inflict such suffering (Holocaust, illness) Still only comfortable living in European Jewish communities in the US Wrote only in Yiddish, but fluent in English, Polish and Hebrew

Culture: The Jewish Calendar The Year: Add 3760The Months

Judaica in General (Religious) A very broad category. Includes Jewish: –Literature: Torah, Talmud, writings of Luria, Maimonides, the great rabbis, Modern writers Artifacts (a sample): Cairo Geniza fragments Various sacred and semi-sacred objects Scrolls, menorah or chanukiah, tallitot, siddurim (prayer books), temple artwork, illuminated manuscripts Haggadot Ketubim Mahzorim

Religious and Household Artifacts, Spertus Museum, Chicago Spertus

Secular Jewish Culture Multi-faceted Judaism is a way of life, not just a religion. Among others, there is/are Jewish Foods Music Visual Arts Dance Literature Humor Theatre

Its all Judaica…..

Jewish Libraries: A Wide Variety University Special Collections Public Libraries Synagogue Libraries Digital Libraries

The University Specialty Library –Yale,Yale –Harvard,Harvard, –University of Pennsylvania –WorldwideWorldwide

Judaica at Yale

Judaica at the Israel Museum

Judaica at the British Library One of the Worlds Largest Collections Outside of Israel

Jewish Libraries The Public/Specialty Library –Library of Congress –New York Public Library

Jewish Libraries The Synagogue Library Promotion of lifelong Jewish learning throughout the congregation membership. 2. Reinforcement of all synagogue educational programs, especially the Religious School.

The Synagogue Library: Selected holdings

Jewish Libraries Digital LibrariesDigital –Jewish Virtual Library –Judaic Scholar Visual Reference Library (This one is not free).

The Jewish Virtual Library

Judaica at the New York Public Library The Dorot Collection

QUESTIONS???

TODAH RABAH (Thank you!) and Shalom!