[ha-Safran]: Re: Three wishes
Before I proceed with yet another long posting, a disclosure. I am an honourary life member of the Ontario Library Association (founded in 1900 and the largest library association in Canada with 5,300 members), as a result of having been given one of the two inaugural Distinguished Service Awards from the OLA in 1990. So I have a special relationship to that association, just as I have to the AJL. I have been a member of both for almost 40 years. I've sent the list a long response to Eli Wise's posting, in which he reacts to Amalia's posting the story from the Jewish Telegraphic Agency about what's gong on here concerning Deborah Ellis' book, *Three Wishes: Palestinian and Israeli Children Speak* (Groundwood Press, 2004. 110 p.) I won't repeat myself here, but I do want to say that the JTS report is incomplete and misleading. The book was selected by a panel of some 25 children's librarians and teacher-librarians as one of ten non-fiction books (there are also ten fiction books) for the prestigious Silver Birch Award competition. This is a reading program sponsored by the Ontario Library Association in conjunction with school boards (boards of educa- tion) across Ontario. It applies to grades 4, 5 and 6 (there are other awards for later and earlier grades), and close to 90,000 children par- ticipate each year. They must read at least five books in each category to be elligible to vote for the book they like the best. As reported in the Canadian Jewish News on Jan. 26, the book was brought to the attention of the York Region District School Board (a large district just to the north of Toronto - ie. outside Toronto) by Sarah Burakowski a special education and resource teacher in the York Region school system. The York board has pulled the book from the competition. But the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) has not yet determined its course of action, if any. Other boards, such as the Peel board (to the west of Toronto, including the large municipality of Missisauga) have decided to keep the book in the Silver Birch program. Here's the URL for the CJN story: http://www.cjnews.com/viewarticle.asp?id=8368. There have been ongoing stories in the Toronto Star, especially after the Community Relations Committee of the Ontario Region of the Canadian Jewish Congress despite what Len Rudner (Director of Community Relations for CJC at the national level) is quoted as saying in the Jan. 26 article, sent a 4.5 page letter to the Ontario Library Association on Feb. 8, in which they report on their analysis of the book in the light of a complaint they received from an Ontario teacher. This letter was subsequently sent out to every school board in Ontario by CJC Ontario Region. They claim that the book is insufficiently contextualized, serves to demonize both Israelis and Palestinians as being irrational murderers, and does not serve to advance student comprehension of this very complex problem [the Israel-Palestinian conflict] in any meaningful or significant way. They go on to describe 17 places in the book which they say illustrate their concerns. I have checked each of these with care, and frankly they are a complete crock and a shocking pseudo-analysis. They twist things that the children say (ten Israeli Jews and ten Palestinians, Muslim and Christian), take things out of context, ignore the very important sensitive introductions provided by Ellis to each child's 'testimonmy' and to the book as a whole, misrepresent what is actually on the page, and in general demonstrate that a decision was made about the book and then evidence was searched out to try and support that pre-conclusion. CJC Ontario Region's prime concern has been that the book is unsuitable for the grade 4 to 6 students who are involved in the Silver Birch Award reading program, and because of that should be pulled out. In my other posting, I have reproduced Linda Silver's complete review of this book, at the end of which she recommends it for grades 5 and up. I agree with Linda on this point, and note that a book can be in the competition without having to be equally appropriate for all three grade levels. I also point out that unlike what has been in some of the press reports, such as that of the JTS reproduced by Amalia, grades 4 to 6 represent 9 to 12 year olds, not 8 to 11's, as most children enter gr. 4 at age 9 and leave gr. 6 at age 12. In Ontario, children in Grade 5 are reading the *Diary of Anne Frank* and *Hanna's Suitcase*. My own experience with my three children is that they were well aware of events in the world when they were that old. The Star stories are found on the following URLs (sory theu're so long): www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1call_pageid=971358637177c=Articlecid=1141168215505 www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1call_pageid=971358637177c=Articlecid=1141080629514 And
[ha-Safran]: Re: Three Wishes
With all due respect, I would like to ask Eli Wise if he has read this book, or whether he's reacting and dashing off in a direction he thinks is correct simply because the Canadian Jewish Congress has issued some statements about it? Was the CJC in fact correct in its assessment? This book actually was published in 2004, and has been reviewed by none other than our own Linda Silver, someone as we all know, who is extremely careful about picking up negative bias and mis-statements about Israel and the struggle for a peaceful conclusion to the ongoing war. In case Eli and Amalia can't put their hands on the book (which I have read very carefully in light of the CJC's accusations), here's what Linda said in the Nov.-Dec., 2004 issue of the AJL Newsletter (p.21-22): It must be acknowledged that no book about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is going to satisfy everyone. The issues are so fraught with hatred, resentment, prior assumptions, and group loyalties that com- plete balance is impossible to achieve. The Canadian author of this book brings to it assumptions that will set off alarm bells. One is that the United Nations is an honest broker. Another is that the West Bank is occupied. A third is that refugee camps are an inevitable re- sult of the conflict. But how many children reading the book will have the knowledge to challenge these assumptions or to know that they rep- resent an essentially pro-Palestinian argument? The author travelled to Israel and interviewed Israeli and Palestinian youth. We've seen books consisting of author interviews before and usually the children's have been manipulated to convey an anti-Israel bias. Here, this does not seem to be the case. Fear, hatred, resentment, sadness, despair, and hope are distributed among the children regardless of their identity. Each child's comments are prefaced by a short intro- duction by the author and usually a photo of the child. they live in the midst of terorism and war and what they have to say is, above all, heart- breaking. What seems to set them apart is that the Israelis believe that they themselves can help to create a better future while, for the Pale- stinians, the present and the future look hopeless. The potential audience for the book is rather large, from about fifth grade through high school. Yes, it is flawed; even the short bibliogra- phy includes several unacceptably biased titles, including a viciously anti-Israel novel for teens by Christine Laird, which is mistakenly called *A Small Patch of Ground* instead of by its real title, *A Little Piece of Ground*. But it also gives a wrenching sense of childhood during a terorrist war, expressed in what appear to be genuine voices. It re- quires discussion after reading and would be an especially apt choice for school libraries. Recommended with reservations for Grades 5 to 12. Linda R. Silver, Jewish Education Center, Cleveland, OH This book is nothing like the film *Paradise Now*, and such a comparison is so far from being correct as to be ludicrous. I don't understand why anyone would say such things out of hand, without applying judgement after reading a book. And a 'thin edge of the wedge' argument is also uncalled for in this case. While I do not agree with everything Linda notes in her review, for eg. that the author saying the West Bank is occupied is an assumption that will set off alarm bells because this represent[s] an essentially pro- Palestinian argument, I think that she has caught the essence of the book and sees how it is an important work when she says it gives a wrenching sense of childhood during a terorrist war, expressed in what appear to be genuine voices of the children who are affected by it on both sides of the divide. Ten Jewish Israeli and ten Palestinian kids are interviewed, and there is a careful introduction by Ellis, followed by six heart- breaking pages listing the names and ages of 429 children killed during the second Intifada. This section is prefaced by the following note by Ellis: Since the beginning of the war in the Middle East in 1948, 120,000 people have died. Between September 29, 2000, when the second Intifada, or uprising against Israeli occupation, began, and March 7, 2003, 3,399 people were killed. Of these, 429 were children under the age of eighteen. Here are their names: This reflects the focus of the book. Ellis does not say so many Israeli children, so many Palestinian children - not even for the total munbers. she has compasion for all the children, indeed for all civilians caught up in the conflict. But her focus is that the history of the area and its people is a weight that has been placed, none too gently, on their [the children's] shoulders. Eli poses a question: Remember the fire bombing of the library in Mon- treal which was clearly an act of terrorism, what
Re: [ha-Safran]: Three Wishes
I think what Mr. Wise proposes should be carefully considered by the leaders of the AJL. Shmuel Ben-Gad, Gelman Library, George Washington University. Messages and opinions expressed on Hasafran are those of the individual author and are not necessarily endorsed by the Association of Jewish Libraries (AJL) === Submissions for Ha-Safran, send to: Hasafran @ lists.acs.ohio-state.edu SUBscribing, SIGNOFF commands send to: Listproc @ lists.acs.ohio-state.edu Questions, problems, complaints, compliments;-) send to: galron.1 @ osu.edu Ha-Safran Archives: Current: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/maillist.html History: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/history.html AJL HomePage http://www.JewishLibraries.org
[ha-Safran]: Re: Three Wishes
With all due respect, I would like to ask Eli Wise if he has read this book, or whether he's reacting and dashing off in a direction he thinks is correct simply because the Canadian Jewish Congress has issued some statements about it? Was the CJC in fact correct in its assessment? This book actually was published in 2004, and has been reviewed by none other than our own Linda Silver, someone as we all know, who is extremely careful about picking up negative bias and mis-statements about Israel and the struggle for a peaceful conclusion to the ongoing war. In case Eli and Amalia can't put their hands on the book (which I have read very carefully in light of the CJC's accusations), here's what Linda said in the Nov.-Dec., 2004 issue of the AJL Newsletter (p.21-22): It must be acknowledged that no book about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is going to satisfy everyone. The issues are so fraught with hatred, resentment, prior assumptions, and group loyalties that com- plete balance is impossible to achieve. The Canadian author of this book brings to it assumptions that will set off alarm bells. One is that the United Nations is an honest broker. Another is that the West Bank is occupied. A third is that refugee camps are an inevitable re- sult of the conflict. But how many children reading the book will have the knowledge to challenge these assumptions or to know that they rep- resent an essentially pro-Palestinian argument? The author travelled to Israel and interviewed Israeli and Palestinian youth. We've seen books consisting of author interviews before and usually the children's have been manipulated to convey an anti-Israel bias. Here, this does not seem to be the case. Fear, hatred, resentment, sadness, despair, and hope are distributed among the children regardless of their identity. Each child's comments are prefaced by a short intro- duction by the author and usually a photo of the child. they live in the midst of terorism and war and what they have to say is, above all, heart- breaking. What seems to set them apart is that the Israelis believe that they themselves can help to create a better future while, for the Pale- stinians, the present and the future look hopeless. The potential audience for the book is rather large, from about fifth grade through high school. Yes, it is flawed; even the short bibliogra- phy includes several unacceptably biased titles, including a viciously anti-Israel novel for teens by Christine Laird, which is mistakenly called *A Small Patch of Ground* instead of by its real title, *A Little Piece of Ground*. But it also gives a wrenching sense of childhood during a terorrist war, expressed in what appear to be genuine voices. It re- quires discussion after reading and would be an especially apt choice for school libraries. Recommended with reservations for Grades 5 to 12. Linda R. Silver, Jewish Education Center, Cleveland, OH This book is nothing like the film *Paradise Now*, and such a comparison is so far from being correct as to be ludicrous. I don't understand why anyone would say such things out of hand, without applying judgement after reading a book. And a 'thin edge of the wedge' argument is also uncalled for in this case. While I do not agree with everything Linda notes in her review, for eg. that the author saying the West Bank is occupied is an assumption that will set off alarm bells because this represent[s] an essentially pro- Palestinian argument, I think that she has caught the essence of the book and sees how it is an important work when she says it gives a wrenching sense of childhood during a terorrist war, expressed in what appear to be genuine voices of the children who are affected by it on both sides of the divide. Ten Jewish Israeli and ten Palestinian kids are interviewed, and there is a careful introduction by Ellis, followed by six heart- breaking pages listing the names and ages of 429 children killed during the second Intifada. The section is prefaced by the following note by Ellis: Since the beginning of the war in the Middle East in 1948, 120,000 people have died. Between September 29, 2000, when the second Intifada, or uprising against Israeli occupation, began, and March 7, 2003, 3,399 people were killed. Of these, 429 were children under the age of eighteen. Here are their names: This reflects the focus of the book. Ellis does not say so many Israeli children, so many Palestinian children - not even for the total munbers. she has compasion for all the children, indeed for all civilians caught up in the conflict. But her focus is that the history of the area and its people is a weight that has been placed, none too gently, on their [the children's] shoulders. Eli poses a question: Remember the fire bombing of the library in Mon- treal which was clearly an act of terrorism, what ever
Re: [ha-Safran]: AJL Constitution Revisions
I am not sure what the problem with the wording of the change in Article VIII, Section 2 is. The change reads: Votes by mail, email or other electronic means. All the Amendment seeks to do is add the words email or electronic means. It DOES NOT eliminate or curtail using mail or voting in person at all. That part of the Constitution wording has not been changed. If anyone wishes to amend the Constitution further, the process was set out in my earlier email. Seven members must sign a petition to amend the Constitution listing the exact change they wish to make. Their suggestion will then be discussed and voted upon by Board and Council who will then bring the amendment to a vote by the general membership. This is the process specified in our Constitution which has been in place since the 1970's. That is what was done with the current amendments. We use Robert's Rules to guide us in areas where our Constitution does not specify a procedure. That is not the case here, and our Constitution takes precedence. As I stated in my earlier post, as well, the fact that the Constitution was being amended was discussed at a general membership meeting and reported in minutes of that general meeting. Even if a member does not attend the general membership meeting, the minutes are published in the Newsletter that all members receive and posted on HaSafran. It is the responsibility of the membership to read the information that is sent to them. If they do not read it, it is not the fault of the Board or Council members if the membership is not informed. I hope this answers the questions that were raised. Because I work full time and have been very busy in trying to locate a site for the 2007 Convention and was planning the Western Regional Conference, it was not possible for me to respond sooner. B'shalom, Susan Dubin Recording Secretary Messages and opinions expressed on Hasafran are those of the individual author and are not necessarily endorsed by the Association of Jewish Libraries (AJL) === Submissions for Ha-Safran, send to: Hasafran @ lists.acs.ohio-state.edu SUBscribing, SIGNOFF commands send to: Listproc @ lists.acs.ohio-state.edu Questions, problems, complaints, compliments;-) send to: galron.1 @ osu.edu Ha-Safran Archives: Current: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/maillist.html History: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/history.html AJL HomePage http://www.JewishLibraries.org
RE: [ha-Safran]: AJL Constitution Revisions
Bernard, I don't believe there will be any opposition to your proposal, but rather a loud collective sigh of relief from those of us who have been standing by dumbfounded while a couple of individuals attack the hardworking AJL Board and Council for carrying out their responsibilities. Was there anything substantive in these proposed changes that required input from the general membership? I personally don't think I could have endured a protracted discussion of these apparently-essential-but-not-very-interesting constitutional modifications on hasafran. If any AJL election featured more than a lone candidate for each position, clarification of our right to continue forgetting to send in our paper ballots might be a more compelling issue. Please do not think I am cynical or dismissive; I am in awe of those dedicated enough to keep AJL running for the rest of us. Let's do just get on with it. Kathy Bloch Associate Director Asher Library Spertus Institute of Jewish Studies Full disclosure: co-worker of Joy Kingsolver who is very tired of seeing her put in long evenings of work on AJL business Messages and opinions expressed on Hasafran are those of the individual author and are not necessarily endorsed by the Association of Jewish Libraries (AJL) === Submissions for Ha-Safran, send to: Hasafran @ lists.acs.ohio-state.edu SUBscribing, SIGNOFF commands send to: Listproc @ lists.acs.ohio-state.edu Questions, problems, complaints, compliments;-) send to: galron.1 @ osu.edu Ha-Safran Archives: Current: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/maillist.html History: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/history.html AJL HomePage http://www.JewishLibraries.org
[ha-Safran]: Jewish Genealogy Conference in NYC
--- Message requiring your approval -- From: Joy Rich [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [ha-Safran]: Jewish Genealogy Conference in NYC Don't miss the exciting, innovative program of lectures, panel discussions, and computer workshops planned for the 26th IAJGS (International Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies) International Conference on Jewish Genealogy this August 13th to 18th at the New York Marriott Hotel in Manhattan, hosted by the Jewish Genealogical Society (New York). Speakers will be coming from many countries, including Australia, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Great Britain, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Lithuania, Poland, Ukraine, the US, and Uzbekistan. There will be a comprehensive set of hands-on computer labs teaching everything from genealogical applications of Excel and PowerPoint to accessing JewishGen databases. We will be offering lectures on Ashkenazic and Sephardic genealogy; a series of lectures focusing on Russian genealogy to assist the large Russian émigré population in New York; panel discussions on cemetery restoration in our shtetlekh, genealogy education, genetics and genealogy, and travel for the genealogist; and lectures from librarians and archivists from New York City repositories as well as repositories in the nations from which our ancestors emigrated. Dr. Neville Lamdan, the Director of the new International Institute for Jewish Genealogy in Jerusalem will speak. An interesting article about the conference was published online today at http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3223248,00.html. You'll find additional information about the program, registration, and research in New York City on the conference website at http://www.jgsny2006.org. Joy Rich Co-chair, Repositories Committee International Conference on Jewish Genealogy Messages and opinions expressed on Hasafran are those of the individual author and are not necessarily endorsed by the Association of Jewish Libraries (AJL) === Submissions for Ha-Safran, send to: Hasafran @ lists.acs.ohio-state.edu SUBscribing, SIGNOFF commands send to: Listproc @ lists.acs.ohio-state.edu Questions, problems, complaints, compliments;-) send to: galron.1 @ osu.edu Ha-Safran Archives: Current: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/maillist.html History: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/history.html AJL HomePage http://www.JewishLibraries.org
[ha-Safran]: Roommate for CAJE
Dear Hasafrim, I am looking for a female roommate for the CAJE conference, Aug. 6-10, Duke University, Durham, N.C. I was not planning on going to the pre-convention Shabbat, Aug. 3-6, but if I had a roommate for those dates I would consider it. Please contact me at [EMAIL PROTECTED] Diane Rauchwerger, Librarian Congregation Beth Am Los Altos Hills, CA Messages and opinions expressed on Hasafran are those of the individual author and are not necessarily endorsed by the Association of Jewish Libraries (AJL) === Submissions for Ha-Safran, send to: Hasafran @ lists.acs.ohio-state.edu SUBscribing, SIGNOFF commands send to: Listproc @ lists.acs.ohio-state.edu Questions, problems, complaints, compliments;-) send to: galron.1 @ osu.edu Ha-Safran Archives: Current: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/maillist.html History: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/history.html AJL HomePage http://www.JewishLibraries.org
[ha-Safran]: Convention roommate
I'm looking for a female, non-smoking roommate for the nights of June 18, 19, and 20 at the convention. I've already reserved a room at the hotel. Anyone interested in sharing? Please write to my home e-mail address, below. Susan Berson Librarian Congregation Emanuel Denver, Colorado home: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Messages and opinions expressed on Hasafran are those of the individual author and are not necessarily endorsed by the Association of Jewish Libraries (AJL) === Submissions for Ha-Safran, send to: Hasafran @ lists.acs.ohio-state.edu SUBscribing, SIGNOFF commands send to: Listproc @ lists.acs.ohio-state.edu Questions, problems, complaints, compliments;-) send to: galron.1 @ osu.edu Ha-Safran Archives: Current: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/maillist.html History: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/history.html AJL HomePage http://www.JewishLibraries.org
[ha-Safran]: Elezar question
What do you do for a call number if everything is the same but the title? In other words, I have a copyright date and author that are exactly the same. . How do distinguish the titles on the spine label? The preface instrucitons gave no example for this. The subject is the same. Messages and opinions expressed on Hasafran are those of the individual author and are not necessarily endorsed by the Association of Jewish Libraries (AJL) === Submissions for Ha-Safran, send to: Hasafran @ lists.acs.ohio-state.edu SUBscribing, SIGNOFF commands send to: Listproc @ lists.acs.ohio-state.edu Questions, problems, complaints, compliments;-) send to: galron.1 @ osu.edu Ha-Safran Archives: Current: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/maillist.html History: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/history.html AJL HomePage http://www.JewishLibraries.org
[ha-Safran]: Weine scheme needed
Shalom safranim-- I need to get the latest edition of the Weine classification scheme. How do I go about that? Todah rabbah! Erika Zeitz Congregation Ohev Sholom Prairie Village, Kansas Corinth Public Library, Youth Services Messages and opinions expressed on Hasafran are those of the individual author and are not necessarily endorsed by the Association of Jewish Libraries (AJL) === Submissions for Ha-Safran, send to: Hasafran @ lists.acs.ohio-state.edu SUBscribing, SIGNOFF commands send to: Listproc @ lists.acs.ohio-state.edu Questions, problems, complaints, compliments;-) send to: galron.1 @ osu.edu Ha-Safran Archives: Current: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/maillist.html History: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/history.html AJL HomePage http://www.JewishLibraries.org
[ha-Safran]: Responses to library automation query
Dear Hasafranim, Thank you for all your help regarding automating (and funding) a small synagogue library. Though I'm still in the trial phase, I think I might go with Resourcemate, though funding is still an issue. Attached are most of the responses. Rachel Haus Congregation of Moses Library Kalamazoo MI [EMAIL PROTECTED] I'm not a fan of large-scale automation for small synagogue libraries. In my opinion (and it is a minority one that I cling to), the money you have can best be devoted to upgrading your collection and services. If the computers can hold a reasonably up-to-date system (Windows XP or 2000), you can handle many catalog items. But Circulation and dramatic search capability should wait till you have the rest of the place in good order. Regarding funding. I don't know much about Kalamazoo, but there are a couple of ways to get money. One would be to ask if the synagogue could be designated a regional Judaica Library center. This would allow you to ask for funds from the Federation. You could also ask directly if other congregations in the area are willing to give money for the collection. This presumes that you have solid documentation (a Mission Statement, Goals Objectives, etc) and policies that will encourage use by the entire community. You should also talk to the people in Detroit about what they might suggest. *** I have seen the program from www.resourcemate.com and it is a good one for your purposes. They are from Canada and automate many churches and synagogues and are inexpensive and even have Marc records. *** I posted the same question about one month ago. The answer I received most frequently was to check the website (www.jewishlibraries.org). If you check under Conventions there is a link to the proceedings and then several articles called the freshman seminar which are great articles which will address some of your questions. You need your membership # to access the proceedings. I had some suggestions for Athena for library software. * In response to your query about automating you small library, first of all, be prepared, your 5 year old computers may not be powerful enough to run library software. Also, do you have internet access? Are you looking to put your catalog on the web? Do you want to just create a searchable catalog or do you also want to run a circulation system through the computer? What is a realistic amount of financing you will be able to raise to accomplish your goals. These are questions that will need to be answered before you start looking at systems. It is very important to first establish those goals and know exactly what you want your system to do in advance of spending money. The main things that you want to be sure that you have in a system, are the ability to create a catalog using MARC records, and that the system be Z39.50 compliant. That is the international standard for creating electronic library catalogs and will be needed if you ever want to put the catalog on the web or import cataloging records over the internet. There is also the question of Hebrew. If having the ability to imput records in Hebrew is important that will significantly limit you choice of system. The international standard for foreign language cataloging for languages that use other alphabets, or pictographs, is called Unicode. So if you want Hebrew you should be looking for a system that is Unicode compliant. We are just starting to hear about systems that never accomodated these languages before are now working towards becoming Unicode compliant. Surpass now advertises that it is currently unicode compliant. I have never used it. As to funding, that is a tough nut. The Avichai Foundation www.avi-chai.org has given out a lot of money to Jewish school libraries it facilitate automation. I am not sure if the grant program still exists or what they do with synagogues, but if you have a school you could possibly get financial assistance from them. I don't know anything about Right-0n-Programs so I cannot advise you. I would advise looking at Surpass http://www.surpasssoftware.com/surpass_sl.htmhttp://www.surpasssoftware.com/surpass_sl.htm since it is Unicode compliant. I have used Athena from Sagebrush Corp. www.sagebrushcorp.com at my but they are now marketing a brand new product that is going to replace both Athena and Spectrum. It is called InfoCentre. It is web-based and is so new they are still working out the bugs in it. It is selling new for about $5000 and is not Unicode compliant yet though they say is will be someday. I have switched over to
[ha-Safran]: An online catalog anyone can use
--- Message requiring your approval -- From: Steven M. Bergson [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [ha-Safran]: An online catalog anyone can use I'm surprised that this site has been running since Aug. 2005. My cool online library tools radar usually picks these things up much sooner than it did for this one. Anyways Tonight, a blog entry pointed me to LibraryThing (http://www.librarything.com). It's in Beta mode, but it already boasts 1,880,000 holdings in its database. So, what is it? It's basically an online union catalog of books that anyone can use. It's not quite free. Currently, the site allows users to catalog up to 200 books for free, with a $10/year annual memberships and $25 lifetime memberships offered. I read a librarian's blog entry suggesting that if the site could get a circulation mode added, it mioght become a catalog that school libraries could use. The site uses tags set up by users. While the site suggests LCSH headings can be used, it also points out that a user might prefer to use their own : *** The LC catalogs Bean's Aegean Turkey, a guide to the archaeological sites of Turkey's western coast, under the single subject, Ionia. For me, however, the book is about turkey and archaeology, tags I've applied to dozens of books, including Bean's other archaeological guides. The LC thinks Bernadette Brooten's Love between women: early Christian responses to female homoeroticism is about six different things, including the mouthful Bible. N.T. Romans I, 18-32 Criticism, interpretation, etc. History Early church, ca. 30-600. I get by with the tags early church, and homosexuality. To these I added the tag divination. Although the book doesn't say much about divination, its comments on the topic were actually the reason I picked it up. *** A search for Jewish yielded 1,447 results. The site's March 1st blog entry noted that Abigail Blachly ... a real librarian with a day job, will be helping me out part-time over the next few weeks, and, I hope, beyond. She will be handling some customer emails, and generally helping raise the library-science quotient of LibraryThing. B'shalom, Steven M. Bergson, Librarian Toronto, Canada Messages and opinions expressed on Hasafran are those of the individual author and are not necessarily endorsed by the Association of Jewish Libraries (AJL) === Submissions for Ha-Safran, send to: Hasafran @ lists.acs.ohio-state.edu SUBscribing, SIGNOFF commands send to: Listproc @ lists.acs.ohio-state.edu Questions, problems, complaints, compliments;-) send to: galron.1 @ osu.edu Ha-Safran Archives: Current: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/maillist.html History: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/history.html AJL HomePage http://www.JewishLibraries.org
[ha-Safran]: Good News
I am delighted to announce that Rachel Kamin gave birth on Wed., March 1 to a 6 pound, 3 ounce, 19 inches long baby boy. The bris will be Wednesday, March 8 at 11:00 a.m. at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield, MI. Rachel is the SSC Vice-President and Chair of the Sydney Taylor Book Award Committee. Mazel tov to Rachel and her husband! Linda Silver, Pres. SSC Messages and opinions expressed on Hasafran are those of the individual author and are not necessarily endorsed by the Association of Jewish Libraries (AJL) === Submissions for Ha-Safran, send to: Hasafran @ lists.acs.ohio-state.edu SUBscribing, SIGNOFF commands send to: Listproc @ lists.acs.ohio-state.edu Questions, problems, complaints, compliments;-) send to: galron.1 @ osu.edu Ha-Safran Archives: Current: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/maillist.html History: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/history.html AJL HomePage http://www.JewishLibraries.org
[ha-Safran]: Clients of Ben-Arza, now by Rubin Mass
-- Dear safranim, You may know that the firm Ben-Arza used to sell religious books from Israel. The firm is not active anymore, and we (at RUBIN MASS LTD.) obtained the clients and orders lists. If you were one of Ben-Arza's clients you are invited to get a full service from us. We have catalogues and information about sifrei kodesh from Israel, and are ready to send to you upon request, free of charge. BTW, this service is effective for all books' readers, even if you are not a Ben-Arza's client... Shabbat Shalom and have a happy Purim, Oren Mass Manager of Rubin Mass Ltd., Jerusalem === RUBIN MASS Ltd., Publishers and Booksellers Exporters of ALL Israeli books and periodicals POBox 990, Jerusalem 91009, Israel Mr. Oren Mass (Manager) ___ \/ \/\ \_/ / _ \ Tel. 972-2-6277863 Fax 972-2-6277864 e-mail: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED][EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.rubin-mass.com Messages and opinions expressed on Hasafran are those of the individual author and are not necessarily endorsed by the Association of Jewish Libraries (AJL) === Submissions for Ha-Safran, send to: Hasafran @ lists.acs.ohio-state.edu SUBscribing, SIGNOFF commands send to: Listproc @ lists.acs.ohio-state.edu Questions, problems, complaints, compliments;-) send to: galron.1 @ osu.edu Ha-Safran Archives: Current: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/maillist.html History: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/history.html AJL HomePage http://www.JewishLibraries.org
[ha-Safran]: New Israeli books, by Rubin Mass and Ben Arza;
cat. #416: March 2006 X-Original-To: hasafran@lists.acs.ohio-state.edu X-Mailer: QUALCOMM Windows Eudora Version 6.2.3.4 X-Spam-Score: 0.00 () [Hold at 5.00] X-CanItPRO-Stream: lists X-Scanned-By: CanIt (www . roaringpenguin . com) on 128.146.216.12 X-Listprocessor-Version: 8.1 -- ListProcessor(tm) by CREN -- Dear safranim, We have the pleasure to offer you, free of charge, the new PDF format of our catalogue Recent Books From Israel No. 416, March 2006 (Adar 5766). You may forward it to those likely to be interested and inspired by it. You will find 742 new titles in three files: one of the Hebrew general titles - 416-h-$-general (30 pages), another file (34 pages) of the Hebrew religious and Judaica (416-H-$-kodesh) titles (this a new service, as we have obtained the clients of the firm BEN-ARZA that are now with us) and one of the non-Hebrew tiltes - 416-NH-$ (English, French, German, Russian, Arabic, Yiddish, Spanish etc., 10 pages). You will be able to see the Hebrew text, in Hebrew fonts, on any computer, and you may also print the entire catalogue or parts of it, according to your domains of interest. We suggest nevertheless that you print it out, as it will be much clearer in a printed version than on the screen. We can also add our own publishing house Judaic books, and a selected list of titles. Upon your require, we can send a full list (about 1000 titles). New: many of those books are available with their cover picture in our web (http://www.rubin-mass.comwww.rubin-mass.com). You may use our web to find ALL books and periodicals from Israel. We hope you will enjoy this new selection of Israeli books and we are here in Jerusalem, ready to receive and execute your book orders for you. If you have a special request or any inquieries please do not hesitate to write or e-mail us. Shabbat Shalom and have a happy Purim, Oren Mass Manager of Rubin Mass Ltd., Jerusalem === RUBIN MASS Ltd., Publishers and Booksellers Exporters of ALL Israeli books and periodicals POBox 990, Jerusalem 91009, Israel Mr. Oren Mass (Manager) ___ \/ \/\ \_/ / _ \ Tel. 972-2-6277863 Fax 972-2-6277864 e-mail: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED][EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.rubin-mass.com Messages and opinions expressed on Hasafran are those of the individual author and are not necessarily endorsed by the Association of Jewish Libraries (AJL) === Submissions for Ha-Safran, send to: Hasafran @ lists.acs.ohio-state.edu SUBscribing, SIGNOFF commands send to: Listproc @ lists.acs.ohio-state.edu Questions, problems, complaints, compliments;-) send to: galron.1 @ osu.edu Ha-Safran Archives: Current: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/maillist.html History: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/history.html AJL HomePage http://www.JewishLibraries.org
[ha-Safran]: Librarian position available
OUTREACH and PROGRAM LIBRARIAN: Hebrew College (Newton, MA), a leader in transdenominational Jewish higher education offering certificate programs, undergraduate, graduate degrees, rabbinical and cantorial training, seeks a fulltime librarian for a position blending public and electronic service. The successful candidate will be achievement-oriented, resourceful, creative, and enthusiastic with the aim of reaching out to the college community and area residents through dynamic public programming and services, on site and online. REQUIRED: An A.L.A. (or its foreign equivalent) accredited graduate library degree on or prior to Spring 2006; educational background in Jewish Studies; knowledge of web content management; understanding of library service and how it is measured; excellent interpersonal and communication skills in English; ability to speak, read and write in Hebrew. PREFERRED: Experience planning and delivering public programs; at least one year's professional employment in an academic or public library; background in storytelling, drama or group facilitation. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: This position blends public and technical services, in onsite program delivery, as well as development of web page-content and online services. The schedule for c.35 weeks/year (when classes are in session) will include three weekly evenings and Sunday hours, and for the remainder, weekday, 9-5 hours. Applicants must be self-motivated, energetic, able to communicate with other college departments, and groups of all ages. Person appointed will work collaboratively with staff at reference desk and collection development where assignments will be in an area of the candidate's strength within the parameters of a public/academic library of Judaic Studies. SALARY AND BENEFITS: Competitive salary and generous benefits include 20 vacation days in addition to national and Jewish holidays. To apply, send a cover letter including salary requirements, and a resume including names and contact information for at least three professional references to: Human Resources Manager/ Hebrew College/ 160 Herrick Road/ Newton Centre, MA 02459. Applications reviewed as received until position is filled; position begins on or about April 24th. For further information, please contact mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED][EMAIL PROTECTED] Messages and opinions expressed on Hasafran are those of the individual author and are not necessarily endorsed by the Association of Jewish Libraries (AJL) === Submissions for Ha-Safran, send to: Hasafran @ lists.acs.ohio-state.edu SUBscribing, SIGNOFF commands send to: Listproc @ lists.acs.ohio-state.edu Questions, problems, complaints, compliments;-) send to: galron.1 @ osu.edu Ha-Safran Archives: Current: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/maillist.html History: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/history.html AJL HomePage http://www.JewishLibraries.org
[ha-Safran]: Fate of the Yoseloff Publishing House
Dear Safranim, Does anyone know what happened to the Yoseloff publishing house and in particular who currently owns the copyrights to their publications? Many thanks for any help you can provide, Arthur -- Arthur Kiron Curator of Judaica Collections University of Pennsylvania Library 3420 Walnut Street Philadelphia, PA 19104-6206 Tel: (215) 573-7431 Fax: (215) 898-0559 Wednesdays and Fridays at: Center for Advanced Judaic Studies Library 420 Walnut St. Philadelphia, PA 19106 Tel: (215) 238-1290 x202 Fax: (215) 238-1540 Messages and opinions expressed on Hasafran are those of the individual author and are not necessarily endorsed by the Association of Jewish Libraries (AJL) === Submissions for Ha-Safran, send to: Hasafran @ lists.acs.ohio-state.edu SUBscribing, SIGNOFF commands send to: Listproc @ lists.acs.ohio-state.edu Questions, problems, complaints, compliments;-) send to: galron.1 @ osu.edu Ha-Safran Archives: Current: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/maillist.html History: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/history.html AJL HomePage http://www.JewishLibraries.org
[ha-Safran]: PROGRAM ON THE JEWS OF INDIA
Please join us for a program on the Jews of India American Sephardi Federation, Magen David Sephardic Congregation in cooperation with the Embassy of India present a program on the Jews of India What: SPOTLIGHT ON THE JEWS OF INDIA Film and panel discussion (Indian Jews from the various communities) Taste of India desserts will be served prepared by an authentic Indian chef When: Sunday March 26, 2006 at 7:00 WHERE: MAGEN DAVID SEPHARDIC CONGREGATION 11215 WOODGLEN DR. ROCKVILLE, MARYLAND 20852 Reservations requested by March 23 Admission fee: $10.00 _ Make checks payable to Magen David Sephardic Congregation For more information call 301-770-6818 or e-mail [EMAIL PROTECTED] Messages and opinions expressed on Hasafran are those of the individual author and are not necessarily endorsed by the Association of Jewish Libraries (AJL) === Submissions for Ha-Safran, send to: Hasafran @ lists.acs.ohio-state.edu SUBscribing, SIGNOFF commands send to: Listproc @ lists.acs.ohio-state.edu Questions, problems, complaints, compliments;-) send to: galron.1 @ osu.edu Ha-Safran Archives: Current: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/maillist.html History: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/history.html AJL HomePage http://www.JewishLibraries.org
[ha-Safran]: CFP: MORITZ-STEINSCHNEIDER CENTENNARY CELEBRATION
CALL FOR PAPERS BIBLIOGRAPHY AND THE STUDY OF CULTURAL TRANSFER A MORITZ-STEINSCHNEIDER CENTENNARY CELEBRATION STAATSBIBLIOTHEK BERLIN, 20-22 NOVEMBER 2007 Moritz (Moshe) Steinschneider (1816-1907) was the first scholar who, qua accomplished bibliographer, investigated systematically the multiple processes of cultural transfer that created the intellectual basis of modern Western civilization. While Steinschneider devoted the greater part of his energy to Jewish literary history, he regarded it as an element in the integrated history of our European-Middle Eastern civilization. Steinschneider, indeed, was interested above all in the continuity of the transmission, study and further elaboration of ideas and conceptions that emerged in Ancient Greece and continued to thrive in Greek, Syriac, Pahlavi, Arabic, Hebrew, and Latin, until they were absorbed into various national languages. Steinschneider's bibliographical tools and literary histories laid the ground to the study of the processes of cultural transfer that took place around the Mediterranean during some two millennia. A Steinschneider Centennial Conference, to be held on 20-22 November 2007 at the Statsbibliothek in Berlin, will mark the hundredth anniversary of Steinschneider's death. Its decidedly non-hagiographic purpose is to celebrate the man and the scholar, discuss in their contexts his monumental contributions to the study of the history of civilization, and, last but not least, reflect on the future of the kind of studies begun by Steinschneider. The underlying conviction guiding the planning of the conference is that Steinschneider should be viewed as the historian of a single if multifaceted diachronic unit the intellectual tradition that began in Greece, was carried forward in various centres in Late Antiquity and in the Arab empires, from whence it passed to the West. By avoiding any kind of ethnocentrism, especially euro-centrism, Steinschneider was well ahead of his times. The conference will consist of two parts: I. Steinschneider and his times. This part will be devoted to scholarly investigations of Steinschneider's work with the particular aim of situating it within its multiple historical contexts. The number of possible themes is practically endless: What were Steinschneider's objectives, motivations, and presuppositions? How does his work relate to the Wissenschaft des Judentums and to the religious movements in 19th-century Judaism? How is it connected to the academic disciplines of his time (philology, Orientalistik, history, codicology, etc.)? Did Steinschneider develop a Weltanschauung of his own? To what networks did he belong? How was he received in different quarters during his lifetime and during the 20th century? What were his positive contributions to each of the very numerous disciplines to which he devoted his attention? What were his relationships to the institutionalized Jewish community in Berlin? What motivated his involvement with popular education? And many more. Although Steinschneider will be the focus of this part of the conference, the treatment should by no means become hagiographic: rather, speakers will be expected to approach their topics critically. II. Bibliography and the history of ideas in the 21st century. The second part of the conference will focus upon bibliography and the history of ideas in the 21st century. Using Steinschneider's bibliographies today, we are constantly confronted with questions such as: what are the place and role of comprehensive surveys or bibliographies of knowledge transfer in our own digitized age? Can the bibliographer be replaced by the computer, so that works of the kind produced by Steinschneider are superseded by digitized databases? Is there a need for a trusted gate keeper evaluating and selecting information which becomes ever more accessible through the Internet? How should we plan future bibliographies? Proposals of papers (2-3 pages) in English (preferably) or German should be submitted simultaneously to Hans Hinrich Biesterfeldt [EMAIL PROTECTED], Rachel Heuberger [EMAIL PROTECTED], and Gad Freudenthal [EMAIL PROTECTED] Deadline for submissions: 15 May 2006. It is hoped that the travel and accommodation expenses of participants whose papers will be selected can be paid by the conveners. -- Messages and opinions expressed on Hasafran are those of the individual author and are not necessarily endorsed by the Association of Jewish Libraries (AJL) === Submissions for Ha-Safran, send to: Hasafran @ lists.acs.ohio-state.edu SUBscribing, SIGNOFF commands send to: Listproc @ lists.acs.ohio-state.edu Questions, problems, complaints, compliments;-) send to: galron.1 @ osu.edu Ha-Safran Archives: Current: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/maillist.html History: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/history.html
