RE: [ha-Safran]: Early Jewish children's books
Hi, Fred-- Since you're setting up an archive with books, I thought you might appreciate a rare book librarian's perspective. Assuming that you are talking about a situation where your library purchased multiple copies of a particular title deemed to be popular, they are probably identical. Nonetheless I would check each one. I don't think you need to keep all of them, but I would look out for: 1. The copies in best condition 2. Hardcover copies in their original dust jackets 3. First editions and first printings 4. Any copies presented to the library by private owners, particularly if there is evidence of provenance of importance to your own collection (i.e. a teacher, principal, rabbi, or donor with a special connection to your library) 5. If you have evidence of variations in form of issue (i.e. different bindings, for example. This is less likely than if you were working with mostly nineteenth century pieces, but it's worth keeping an eye out none theless) Presumably the copies you retain will be used mostly for displays and class presentations and be available to researchers, rather than to be issued to general borrowers. I wish you all the best. Dan Rettberg Daniel J. Rettberg, Ph.D. Rare Book and Manuscript Bibliographer Klau Library Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion 3101 Clifton Avenue Cincinnati, OH 45220-2488 drettb...@huc.edu --- 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: hasaf...@osu.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]: My attempt at a core Jewish library for
young children X-Original-To: Hasafran@lists.acs.ohio-state.edu X-Mailer: QUALCOMM Windows Eudora Version 7.1.0.9 X-Spam-Score: 1.30 (*) [Tag at 7.00] MISSING_SUBJECT,SPF(neutral,0) X-CanIt-Geo: ip=71.74.56.122; country=US; region=OH; city=Reynoldsburg; latitude=39.9549; longitude=-82.7693; metrocode=535; areacode=614; http://maps.google.com/maps?q=39.9549,-82.7693z=6 X-CanItPRO-Stream: lists (inherits from default) X-Scanned-By: CanIt (www . roaringpenguin . com) on 128.146.216.130 X-Listprocessor-Version: 8.1 -- ListProcessor(tm) by CREN You list an absolute need for justice in the world. I would like to state it as an absolute need for justice and compassion in the world, for if we do not have compassion for one another, there won't be much justice either. Dan Rettberg Rare Book and Manuscript Bibliographer Klau Library Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion 3101 Clifton Avenue Cincinnati, OH 45220-2488 drettb...@huc.edu --- 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: hasaf...@osu.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]: Judaica Librarianship
Dear Haim-- You are just where I was about twenty years ago! I had completed a Ph.D. in Rabbinical literature and enrolled in an M.S. in Information Studies program focussing on cataloging and rare books. So far as I know there are no active programs in Judaica Librarianship in existence. There used to be one which was a joint program of Gratz College and of Drexel University in Philadelphia. I don't know if it still exists. If any of my colleagues can correct me on this I would be pleased to hear from them. I suggest you rely on your classes for the technical aspects of rare books and the nuts and bolts of librarianship (cataloging, reference, collection development, etc.)and depending on your background and interests read all you can about the classical sources of Judaism (Talmud, Midrash, Zohar, etc.) on your own. Given the fact that you are emphasizing rare books and manuscripts I assume that you are looking to a career in academic librarianship either in a large research university or in a smaller archive, museum, or repository. Good luck! I wish I could give you more encouragement, but given the present state of the economy jobs seem to be few and far between. My advice is to have a strong seond suit besides Judaica which you can also list on your c.v. Pick something that interests you and which is a popular and known collecting area, like some area of American history or modern literature. If you can weave it into your Judaic interests so much the better. Well, now I'll shut up and let my colleagues have at it. Best, Dan Rettberg Daniel J. Rettberg, Ph.D. Rare Book and Manuscript Bibliographer Klau Library Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion 3101 Clifton Avenue Cincinnati, OH 45220-2488 mailto:drettb...@huc.edudrettb...@huc.edu --- 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: hasaf...@osu.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]: Bibliography of the Hebrew Book, 1470-1960
Though I use Vinograd regularly, having it at my desk, as well as other bibliographies, I do find it lacking because of its inconsistency in the information it provides on individual titles. If I remember correctly, this comes from the fact that the editor based his work at least in part on previous bibliographies and did not have each individual title in hand when he prepared the entries. Is that still the case with the Bibliography of the Hebrew Book at Penn, or do the editors examine each title in hand before recording the information? Thanks, Dan Rettberg Rare Book and Manuscript Bibliographer Klau Library Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion 3101 Clifton Avenue Cincinnati, OH 45220-2488 mailto:drettb...@huc.edudrettb...@huc.edu
RE: [ha-Safran]: Rivka bat Meir Tikiner
Hi, Amahlia-- Interestingly enough, Rivka Tiktiner was among the people discussed at the last Lehmann Seminar at the University of Pennsylvania. To get a run down on the basics, consult the article on her by Frauke von Roden in the 2nd ed. of the EJ. Her books are rare enough that we don't own copies here at HUC. I believe they have a copy of the Meneket Rivkah at Oxford and perhaps at JTS. What we do have at HUC is a Latin university disputation called De Rebecca Polona: Eruditarum in Gente Judaica Foeminarum Rariori Exemplo, which I translate as (anyone feel free to correct me), Concerning Rebecca of Poland: A rare example among the most erudite of Jewish women. It was presented in 1719 and includes many Hebrew references, including at least one extensive quotation. I have not attempted to read the text, but I find it quite interesting that she was known among Christian university scholars a century after her death. Dan Rettberg Rare Book and Manuscript Bibliographer Klau Library Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion 3101 Clifton Avenue Cincinnati, OH 45220-2488 mailto:drettb...@huc.edudrettb...@huc.edu --- 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: hasaf...@osu.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]: Jewish Libraries in the Middles Ages
Hi, Nancy-- A faculty friend from Xavier University (like HUC in Cincinnati) and I have over the past couple of years been working our way through Rabbi David Kimhi's commentary on Genesis. One of the reasons I most enjoy this intense immersion in the mind and heart of the Radak is noting the various books he quotes. In effect, I wonder what books did the Radak know and how large a personal library did he have (not necessarily equivalent of course)? He continually quotes Maimonides Moreh nevukhim, Abraham Ibn Ezra's commentary on the Pentateuch, various Midrashic collections including Bereshit Rabbah, Lekah tov, etc., as well as Targum Onkelos and sometimes a Talmudical Tractate. Please let me know what you learn. Thanks, Dan Daniel J. Rettberg, Ph.D. Rare Book and Manuscript Biblographer Klau Library Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion 3101 Clifton Avenue Cincinnati, OH 45220-0519 drettb...@huc.edu
[ha-Safran]: An online exhibit
Hi, Everyone In honor of the upcoming anniversary of the twenty-eight year solar cycle falling this year in the western calendar on the evening of April 7-morning of April 8, Hebrew Union College's library staff is especially proud to call your attention to the fact that we have added to our staff blog a description of a manuscript from our collection featuring this occasional event together with photographs. This manuscript, written in the first part of the nineteenth century offers a liturgical order for this event as it was as the manuscript tells us in the time of R. Hayyim Yosef David Azulai (1724-1806) in Leghorn (Livorno), Italy. To view the photographs and read the description please click on the following link. Thanks, Dan Rettberg, Rare Book Bibliographer (Cincinnati) Sheryl Stahl, Senior Associate Librarian (Los Angeles) Laurel Wolfson, Administrative Librarian http://www.huc.edu/libblog/librariantalk.htmlhttp://www.huc.edu/libblog/librariantalk.html --- 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: hasaf...@osu.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]: Need info on modern edition of Aramaic Targum
Dan-- Your client may in fact want an edition with the Aramaic Targum, the complete Arabic Tafsir, and the Biblical text, but the edition of the Mosad ha-Rav Kuk may be of interest. It includes the Targum based on the Taj as edited by Rav Yosef Kapah, and a translation of the explanatory words in the Rasag's Tafsir (not including the Biblical text itself but only the Arabic explanations) translated into Hebrew, also by Rav Kapah, edited (according to the preface) on the basis of fourteen mss. It is: Torat hayyim: Hamishah humshe Torah ... Yerushalayim: Hotsaat Mosad ha-Rav Kuk, c1986 (from v. 1) in seven v. (Two on Genesis and two on Exodus) Dan Daniel J. Rettberg Rare Book and Manuscript Bibliographer Klau Library Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion 3101 Clifton Avenue Cincinnati, OH 45220-2488 [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
RE: [ha-Safran]: Book or Web?
Dear Dr. Richler-- I admit to being old fashioned, but I prefer the printed book. I feel like I spend enough time on the computer as it is. I understand the advantage of being able to update a reference work with ease, but I like the feel of a book in my hand. Browsing and searching indices feels different on the web as opposed to in a book as well. I like to see the entire page set up as a page and not just an individual or a few entries. I want to be able to turn the pages with ease, and not ever be told that too many other searchers are currently using the site and that I should return later. Also, when will the book ever be down? Assuming you have it printed on acid-neutral paper and that a specific copy is given reasonable care, it should last indefinitely. How long can I be certain that your publisher will support the electronic version? Will your publisher try to restrict my ability to print individual pages or entries (i.e. fair use for my own private work)? For a personal copy, I like to be able to annotate the entries by hand should I find additional information on a given item. In short, while I would likely consult the electronic version from time to time, the very medium would feel too much like yet another barrier between me and the work itself. Thanks for asking. Dan Rettberg Rare Book and Manuscript Bibliographer Klau Library Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion 3101 Clifton Avenue. Cincinnati, OH 45220-2488 [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
RE: [ha-Safran]: Question from first-time convention book seller
Dear Mr. Yudelson-- First, let me thank you as a representative of a small independent press, for coming to AJL. As a librarian and a reader, I am continually impressed with the number and variety of small niche market presses that survive and thrive in a world that seems all too often dominated by the large presses. I look forward to seeing what you will have to offer. It seems to me that you will encounter a variety of people at our convention each with different needs. Since I am not an Acquisitions Librarian, I cannot speak directly to that issue but only indirectly via observation. I would assume that you will find that this subgroup will normally expect to find catalogs and lists that they can take back to their offices along with the opportunity to see a variety of your publications and speak with you personally. These librarians may order on site, but are more likely to wait until they return home to evaluate their purchases and order there. I am in the category of the individual purchaser. I look for the traditional convention discount and will either order on site, paying with my Visa card, or, if the discount is substantial enough, will buy the display copy at the end of the convention (assuming one of my colleagues has not beaten me to the punch), and take it with me. I also enjoy talking with the various representatives and browsing among their offerings, even if I don't always buy. This is an important part of the convention for me. I like learning all I can about the world of books in general and of Jewish books in particular, viewing it as continuing education for my work and for my own personal growth. If I don't buy, that is no guarantee that someone I may encounter in the course of my work day won't do so if I recommend a title. I look forward to meeting and talking with you. Yours sincerely, Daniel J. Rettberg, Ph.D. Rare Book and Manuscript Bibliographer Klau Library Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion Cincinnati, Ohio 45220-2488 [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
RE: [ha-Safran]: Barnes Noble at Convention
Good morning, Ms. Moss-- I am confused by your choice of wording in describing Barnes and Noble as the Convention Bookseller in Cleveland. In the past I have been able to purchase from any dealer who set up a stall in the exhibition area. Will this not be the case also in Cleveland? Dan Rettberg Rare Book and Manuscript Bibliographer Klau Library Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion Cincinnati, Ohio [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: [EMAIL PROTECTED] 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]: A very old book
Hello, Sylvia-- I suggest you contact a dealer who is a member of the Antiquarian Booksellers' Association of America. They have a high reputation and hold their members to a strict code of ethics. You can see their website at http://www.abaa.org/books/abaa/index.html?showsub=1 You can search their database of members from the website asking it to break down the list for you according to geographical region and specialization. In the case of your piece, I think it would make a lot of difference as to whether it was published in Germany or in America. Also, the general subject area would make a difference. German Americana (especially from the 18th century) is a big collecting interest for some. It also helps if you can combine two or more collecting interests in the piece, i.e. not just German Americana but local history and or elementary textbooks for example. Beyond that condition is important, and of course, provenance, or ownership history. Have fun with this! Dan Rettberg Rare Book and Manuscript Bibliographer Klau Library Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion Cincinnati, Ohio [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
RE: [ha-Safran]: Prayerbook history and commentary
Dear Colleagues-- Thank you very much for your kind and helpful replies to my inquiry for suggestions on reading for my patron on the history and content of the classical Jewish prayers. For the convenience of all, here is a complete list of those titles suggested so far. Dan Rettberg Rare Book and Manuscript Bibliographer Klau Library Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion Cincinnati, Ohio [EMAIL PROTECTED] Arzt, Max. Justice and mercy: commentary on the liturgy of the New Year and the Day of Atonement. New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1963. Donin, Hayim Halevy. To pray as a Jew: a guide to the prayer book and the synagogue service. New York: Basic Books, c1980. Elbogen, Ismar, 1874-1943; translated by Raymond P. Scheindlin. Jewish liturgy: a comprehensive history. Philadelphia: Jewish Publication Society; New York: Jewish Theological Seminary of America, 1993. Hammer, Reuven. Entering Jewish prayer: a guide to personal devotion and the worship service. New York: Schocken Books, 1994 Millgram, Abraham Ezra, 1901- Jewish worship. Philadelphia: Jewish Publication Society of America, 1971. Munk, Elie. The world of prayer: commentary and translation of the Siddur; [translated by Henry Biberfeld in collaboration with Leonard Oschry; new edition edited by Michael Plotkin]. Jerusalem; New York: Feldheim Publishers, c2007. My people's prayer book: traditional prayers, modern commentaries. Edited and with .introductions by Lawrence A. Hoffman. Woodstock, Vt.: Jewish Lights Pub., 1997- 10 v. Reif, Stefan C., 1944- Judaism and Hebrew prayer: new perspectives on Jewish liturgical history. Cambridge; New York, NY, US: Cambridge University Press, 1993. Rosenberg, Arnold. Jewish Liturgy as a Spiritual System. Northvale, N.J.: Jason Aronson, c1997. Schonfield, Jeremy. Undercurrents of Jewish Prayer. Oxford; Portland, OR: Littman Library of Jewish Civilization, 2006. Steinsaltz, Adin. A guide to Jewish prayer. New York: Schocken Books, c2000. Dan Rettberg Rare Book and Manuscript Bibliographer Klau Library Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion Cincinnati, Ohio [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]: Prayerbook history and commentary
Dear Colleagues-- I am in need of a few suggestions of English titles on the history and content of the classical Jewish prayers that I may recommend to an educated adult patron (non-Jewish) who is literate in matters generally religious and theological but not specifically Jewish. I have spent some time doing subject searches on Judaism -- Liturgy (LC classification) and variations, but everything I can find or everything of which I am aware is either too technical on the one hand or not scholarly enough on the other. Any assistance you may be able to provide would be most welcome. Thanks much, Dan Rettberg Rare Book and Manuscript Bibliographer Klau Library Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion Cincinnati, Ohio [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
RE: [ha-Safran]: What to do with Sforim?
Hello, Veronica-- Your collection sounds fascinating. I'm glad you have David Goldenberg there to advise you. He was my Ph.D. advisor at Dropsie College in the 1980's. Do greet him for me. Having seen a lot of the sort of material you describe (not the least of it here at HUC, as you may suspect), I believe he has hit the nail on the head in saying that the collection contains not too much of commercial value, but lots of special interest. I am glad you have been cautious about deciding what to do with it. I personally see burial as only the very last option one should undertake in such matters. I would look for marks of ownership on the books. Even people who are not interested in the books for their intended purpose may be attracted to them for genealogical reasons. Also many books that have become too fragile for use in a library where they may get a lot of handling can still serve very well in private hands assuming they find a good home. You mention Roedelheim prayer books. Depending on their age, I believe some of them are cosidered quite collectible. I know none of this is a direct answer to your question, but I want to encourage you to persevere in the approach you have been taking. This material is very much worth the time and effort, and due a lot of respect in view of those who brought it South Africa and under what conditions. Yours sincerely, Dan Daniel J. Rettberg Rare Book and Manuscript Bibliographer Klau Library Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion Cincinnati, OH 45220 U.S.A. [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
RE: [ha-Safran]: next q: signed books
They may not be rare now, but what will be their status in fifty years? It's always a balancing act for libraries comparing the needs of today versus the needs of tomorrow. My inclination would be to put these in Special Collections and to buy additional copies for the circulating shelves. Dan Rettberg Rare Book and Manuscript Bibliographer Klau Library Hebrew Union College--Jewish Institute of Religion Cincinati, Ohio [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
RE: [ha-Safran]: LC heading for Abraham Ibn Ezra
I assume all they are trying to do is to warn non-Hebrew speakers to pronounce the ei as two separate vowels, and not as a dipthong. I would not look for any analogies to Hebrew transliteration. Dan Rettberg Rare Book and Manuscript Bibliographer Klau Library Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion Cincinnati, Ohio [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]: Talmud editions of D. Bomberg
In 1997 IDC of Leiden, Netherlands, issued 320 microfiches with accompanying materials entitled, The Talmud Editions of D. Bomberg, by A. Rosenthal. It appears from the LC record, as well as from the description on the IDC website that what this is is a set of fiche depicting what they bill as all tractates of the four editions by Bomberg, Venice, 1520-1549. I assume their major source for making these determinations is, Maamar al hadpasat ha-Talmud, by Raphael N.N. Rabinovicz, in the Habermann update of 1952. For anyone having access to the IDC set, I would be most grateful if you would check their accompanying printed materials and let me know what (if any) other sources they may list as the basis for their divisions and for any notes they may make. Thanks, Dan Rettberg Rare Book and Manuscript Bibliographer Klau Library Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion Cincinnati, Ohio [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
RE: [ha-Safran]: Major library journals?
I'ld suggest College and Research Libraries, College and Research Libraries News, and, RBM: A Journal of Rare Books, Manuscripts, and Cultural Heritage. Dan Rettberg Rare Book and Manuscript Bibliographer Klau Library Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion Cincinnati, Ohio [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]: Publication by Nicholas Pickwoad
Someone at one of the presentations in Oakland made a reference to a publication by Nicholas Pickwoad on bindings on early Jewish books. I remember that he was doing this research when I took his class at Rare Book School in the 1990's, but don't remember hearing that he had published the results. I have checked the LC and Harvard online catalogs as well as his bibliography on the Rare Book School website without success. Can anyone tell me if and where he published this work? Thanks, Dan Rettberg Rare Book and Manuscript Blbliographer Klau Library Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion Cincinnati, Ohio [EMAIL PROTECTED] Messages and opinions expressed on Hasafran are those of the individual author and are not necessarily endorsed by the 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: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/maillist.html AJL HomePage http://www.JewishLibraries.org
RE: [ha-Safran]: ********** for ALA Council
I agree with Bernard. One of the reasons I value my AJL membership in general, and this list in particular, is that both facilitate the discussion of bibliographical and narrowly professional concerns, without too much overflow into discussions of politics of whatever sort. One of the results of this, I think, is that AJL, while a much more diverse organization than might appear on the surface, is an exceptionally friendly and respectful organization, and the participants in the discussions on this listserv, to my mind, display these virtues to a fault. The occasional overflow on this listserv is just that, occasional, and I usually deal with it by using my delete button. I would not like to see us become a clearing house for endorsements and discussions of candidates running for any sort of office in any organization, ours included. If any member of any other organization wants to know to what other professional organizations a given candidate may belong, that member should petition the organization in question to include such information on the announcement describing the candidates background and qualifications. I do not think it a reasonable expection that candidates running for office in one organization should be vetted on the listserv of another. Dan Rettberg Rare Book and Manuscript Bibliographer Klau Library Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion Cincinnati, Ohio [EMAIL PROTECTED] Messages and opinions expressed on Hasafran are those of the individual author and are not necessarily endorsed by the 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: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/maillist.html AJL HomePage http://www.JewishLibraries.org
RE: [ha-Safran]: More books by the Pizetzner Rebbe
Jeff-- Here at HUC we have four separate printings of Sefer Hovat ha-talmidim (also entitled Kuntres Hovat ha-talmidim), the most recent by Makhon Torani-sifruti Orayta in Jerusalem in 1990. Harvard lists a more recent printing: Author : Kalonimus Klemish ben Elimelekh, 1889-1944. Title : Kuntres Hovat ha-talmidim : im targum be-Idish / hibro ... Kalonimos Kalmish ha-avda Pyasetsna ... Edition : Mahadurah hadashah im hosafot shonot. Published : London : A. A. Gratt, 763, 2003. An English translation was issued by Jason Aronson in 1991: Author : Kalonimus Kalmish ben Elimelekh, 1889-1943. Title : Kuntres Hovat ha-talmidim. English Title : A student's obligation : advice from the rebbe of the Warsaw ghetto / Kalonymus Kalman Shapira ; translated by Micha Odenheimer. Published : Northvale, N.J. : J. Aronson, c1991. I hope this helps. I wish I could be in Toronto to learn this material with you and your teacher! Dan Rettberg [EMAIL PROTECTED] Messages and opinions expressed on Hasafran are those of the individual author and are not necessarily endorsed by the 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: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/maillist.html AJL HomePage http://www.JewishLibraries.org
RE: [ha-Safran]: FASCICLES:Megilloth at the BHQ
You need to consult a catalog of the Wuertembergische Bibelanstalt in Stuttgart. I recently received a paper copy of their catalog, and am almost certain I saw it featured there, but have since passed on the catalog to someone else, and so cannot check it. I assume they have a website, but have not been able to bring it up with various permutations of the above name. All I get are bibliographies listing Hebrew Bible editions and study tools. Dan Rettberg Rare Book and Manuscript Bibliographer Klau Library Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion Cincinnati, Ohio [EMAIL PROTECTED] Messages and opinions expressed on Hasafran are those of the individual author and are not necessarily endorsed by the 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: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/maillist.html AJL HomePage http://www.JewishLibraries.org
RE: [ha-Safran]: Re: Google
Thank you, Bernard (and thanks to Paul Tankard), for passing on these well-expressed thoughts. As I said in my recent message on Yizkor books, once one has experienced the real thing, there is no going back. Whether the real thing is in print or ms. form, searching for it physically is a means of learning, and once one has found it, experiencing it in all its facets, including the inks, papers or parchments, the binding, and the history of its ownership can bring further wisdom. I am, of course, speaking of the ideal example, but even some paperbacks have their own charm. And yes, I believe in teaching this sort of learning not just to graduate students, but to anyone who will listen. Dan Rettberg Rare Book and Manuscript Bibliographer Klau Library Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion Cincinnati, Ohio [EMAIL PROTECTED] -Original Message- From: Bernard Katz [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Friday, December 17, 2004 3:17 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [ha-Safran]: Re: Google Following on Nanette Stahl's colleague at the Yale Library, Hasafran members likely will enjoy reading the following remarks made by Paul Tankard of the University of Otego in New Zealand on the SHARP list. B'shalom, Bernard Katz, former head, Special Collections and Library Development McLaughlin Library, University of Guelph author, descriptive bibliog. of L.M. Montgomery's books (in progress) and chair, Ontario Library Association Copyright Task Force -- Forwarded message -- Date: Fri, 17 Dec 2004 13:47:13 +1300 From: Paul Tankard [EMAIL PROTECTED] Reply-To: SHARP-L Society for the History of Authorship, Reading Publishing [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: Harvard and Google Dear SHARP-Listers, I can understand the enthusiasm of scholars for these proliferating devices (EEBO, Lion, Proj. Gutenberg, and this new Harvard/Google enterprise) that make available rare or elusive texts. But I think those of us who have made our own acquaintance with literature and scholarship thru actually reading actual books need to think carefully about HOW we use these tools in teaching younger people. The searching capacities which make digitized online resources so tantalizing may save us time, but they threaten to limit learning. It is not a question of what texts are or are not available -- altho as Sue Waterman wrote, many students think already that everything is online -- or at least, many are not prepared to seek anything other than what they can find via 20 minutes googling. Consider the casual way in which the term research is now used. In 1979 John Wain wrote (in the 2nd edn of his Samuel Johnson, p. 12) that when he was a student If a fact had to be dug out of somebody's unpublished letters or diaries, or from a parish register or from some forgotten document in the Public Record Office, then to unearth it was 'research.' If it was in print, anywhere, in the most obscure article in the back numbers of some learned periodical, then it was 'known' and to mention it was not 'research'. No doubt this is a bit severe. But research, however we depict it, is not just a means of finding stuff. It is a process of learning in itself. Johnson himself observed that most advances in knowledge are made by fortuitous discoveries ... in devious walks of literature -- that is, when we do 'research' among books, we learn while we are searching. We do not sit passively waiting as we do while a computer cranks thru its operations -- while we browse in books we find things we *didn't know* we were interested in. Have not most of us learnt much of what we know about our own realms of academe in this way? With electronic searches in digitized environments, we can only search if we already know what we are looking for! Furthermore, the process of reading itself, that moment-by-moment extended immersion in a text, is dissipated in this way. We are able to take what we need for our most immediate purposes, without submitting ourselves to the world of the text, and never develop the trained intuitions that are necessary for scholarship -- or even for a sense of what constitutes detailed knowledge of the only real Other: the past. Sorry if this has all started sounding a bit portentous! But we are definitely at an important time in the history of reading, and I think it's vital that at least some of us whose interests this list represents, become more conscious and articulate as apologists for literate culture. Cheers, Paul Tankard = Dr. Paul Tankard Lecturer in English University of Otago Dunedin, New Zealand Ph. +643 479 7724 (term) Messages and opinions expressed on Hasafran are those of the individual author and are not necessarily endorsed by the AJL === Submissions for Ha-Safran, send to:
RE: [ha-Safran]: Yizkor books in instruction
I have not. But, I have done presentations for mixed groups (loosely age 10 to adult) with early printed books. Special Collections materials, in which I would include many Yizkor books, are wonderful for giving people quite literally a real feel for other times and places. Once one learns to appreciate books as artifacts as well as for their content, there's no going back. Such an appreciation adds a further dimension to learning, one that helps a person find him/herself in others' lives and times, and to bring the experience home to one's own time and place. Of course, it requires some effort on the part of the teacher together with the librarian to prepare for such a presentation, but the results are very much worth it. Dan Rettberg Rare Book and Manuscript Bibliographer Klau Library Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion Cincinnati, Ohio [EMAIL PROTECTED] Messages and opinions expressed on Hasafran are those of the individual author and are not necessarily endorsed by the 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]: School project on Elijah stories
Weeding books is an at times necessary task, but story telling is an eminently good (and Jewish) way of helping the world. Try searching the websites of various Jewish renewal groups on the phrase story telling. The Aleph Alliance is a good place to begin (http://www.aleph.org/http://www.aleph.org/). Dan Rettberg Rare Book and Manuscript Librarian Klau Library Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion Cincinnati, Ohio [EMAIL PROTECTED] Messages and opinions expressed on Hasafran are those of the individual author and are not necessarily endorsed by the 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]: Why Bet was chosen to begin the Torah?
I suggest your Head of School consult Bereshit Rabbah 1:10 (p. 9 in the Soncino Midrash), which begins, ... Why was the world created with a beth?. Another version may be consulted in the Zohar 1:2b-3b (p. 11-17, p. 16 specifically) in the Zohar: Pritzker Edition, v. 1, translation and commentary by Daniel C. Matt, Stanford, 2004). I would also check in the first v. of the Legends of the Jews by Louis Ginzburg. Dan Rettberg Rare Book and Manuscript Bibliographer Klau Library Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion Cincinnati, Ohio [EMAIL PROTECTED] Messages and opinions expressed on Hasafran are those of the individual author and are not necessarily endorsed by the 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]: Looking for source
Good morning-- The term cotton patch caught my attention. This is usually a reference to a variety of New Testament renderings in a southern or African-American dialect by Clarence Jordan, part of a post-World War II interracial communal experiment in Alabama? called Koinonia Farm. I have checked both LC's electronic catalog, and the electronic catalog of the Public Library of Cincinnati, and can come up with nothing related to Genesis. If the book/tape your friend is seeking is in any way related to Clarence Jordan, I think you are safe in reassuring her that it is definitely not un-PC. Neither is the use of the sort of dialect he employs. I understand that it's definitely come back in the last decade in terms of the preservation and telling of African-American tales and sourthern folklife. Dan Rettberg Rare Book and Manuscript Bibliographer Klau Library Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion Cincinnati, Ohio [EMAIL PROTECTED] Below is the substance of LC's record for a book that contains a Jordan bibliography. You may want to get an ILL copy and see if your work is listed. 100 1_ |a Coble, Ann Louise, |d 1960- 245 10 |a Cotton patch for the Kingdom : |b Clarence Jordan's demonstration plot at Koinonia Farm / |c Ann Louise Coble. 260 __ |a Scottdale, Pa. : |b Herald Press, |c c2002. 300 __ |a 240 p. : |b ill. ; |c 21 cm. 504 __ |a Bibliography of Clarence Jordan's works: p. 233-235. 504 __ |a Includes bibliographical references (p. 211-232) and index. 610 20 |a Koinonia Farm |x History. 600 10 |a Jordan, Clarence. Messages and opinions expressed on Hasafran are those of the individual author and are not necessarily endorsed by the 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: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/maillist.html AJL HomePage http://www.JewishLibraries.org
[ha-Safran]: Ms. cataloging problem
Within an AACR2rev. 2nd ed., LCAF/LCSH, and VTLS context in an electronic catalog, can anyone suggest a way to make sub-sections of an early codex ms. collection accessible as sub-sections? The collection with which I work is predominately Hebrew language, with major subsections divided according to scribal/geographical styles (i.e. Ashkenazic, Sephardic, Italic, North African, Byzantine, Provencali, Oriental (covering the Levant), Yemenite). I am aware of the LCSH permission to use Manuscripts, Hebrew subdivided by the place where the repository is located (i.e. Manuscripts, Hebrew Ohio Cincinnati) in order to make all Hebrew manuscripts in a particular place accessible in a larger electronic catalog that includes both manuscripts and printed books. However, there does not appear to be any way to subdivide Manuscripts, Hebrew by type. I cannot use geographical subdivisions (i.e. Manuscripts, Hebrew Yemen), since this seemingly would indicate books about Yemenite Hebrew manuscripts, or Hebrew manuscripts currently located in Yemen, and not Yemenite Hebrew manuscripts as such. I have had little success with placing the information in a note and then attempting to extract it with a key word search. Inevitably, I get only printed books about Hebrew manuscripts, and not records of Hebrew mss. when I do so-called advanced searches under such key words as manuscript and Yemenite. Thanks much. Dan Rettberg Rare Book and Manuscript Bibliographer Klau Library Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion Cincinnati, Ohio [EMAIL PROTECTED] Messages and opinions expressed on Hasafran are those of the individual author and are not necessarily endorsed by the 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: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/maillist.html AJL HomePage http://www.JewishLibraries.org
RE: [ha-Safran]: A few questions
I can't speak to the question of retaining the Universal Jewish Encyclopedia, having never used it, but I would very much encourage you to retain the Jewish Encyclopedia in addition to the Encyclopedia Judaica. The Jewish Encyclpedia still has many fine articles in it, especially those on rabbinical topics by Wilhelm Bacher. Though I can't give examples, I have sometimes found individuals listed in the JE who were not to be found in the EJ. Dan Rettberg Rare Book and Manuscript Bibliographer Klau Library Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion Cincinnati, Ohio [EMAIL PROTECTED] Messages and opinions expressed on Hasafran are those of the individual author and are not necessarily endorsed by the 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]: Elazar vs. LC
Dear Poshi-- You might remind him that not all academic libraries use LC, and certainly there are many college, seminary, and professional libraries that do not. I am familiar with large academic libraries that use separate classification systems for Rare Books, for Law, and for their general collections. To quote the Rare Book School Valentine's Day Thought for 2002, which I have posted above my desk, The nice thing about standards is that there are so many of them to choose from. Different classification systems lend themselves to the needs of different sorts of materials and to libraries of different emphases and sizes. While one can say something for the value of a patron being able to search a book in two different libraries with the same call no., it certainly should present no barrier to the patron who knows the basic information on a book to be able to find it in any collection no matter which classification system(s) the library uses. What about title or author searches, not to mention, for the more savvy library user, searching under ISBD or even LC Control Number? Failing all that, there is, of course, that long-suffering individual, the Reference Librarian, who is available to assist those patrons who cannot navigate the system alone. Dan Rettberg Rare Book and Manuscript Bibliographer Klau Library Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion Cincinnati, Ohio [EMAIL PROTECTED] Messages and opinions expressed on Hasafran are those of the individual author and are not necessarily endorsed by the 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]: fyi - ALA conferences
To me, the issue is less where, than when ALA or its subgroups will be meeting. One of our first time Tuesday speakers shared with me the fact that she would have gladly stayed for the rest of the conference had she not already been committed to attend ALA's RBMS Pre-Conference as well. Dan Rettberg Rare Book and Manuscript Bibliographer Klau Library Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion Cincinnati, Ohio [EMAIL PROTECTED] Messages and opinions expressed on Hasafran are those of the individual author and are not necessarily endorsed by the 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]: Technology and public presentations
For those interested, below are the references for the two articles to which I referred yesterday in my comments about selecting tools for my recent AJL paper: 1. Germano, William, The Scholarly Lecture: How to Stand and Deliver. The Chronicle of Higher Education, November 28, 2003, p. B15. 2. Bell, Steven J., End PowerPoint Dependency Now! American Libraries, June/July 2004, vol. 35, No. 6. Dan Rettberg Rare Book and Manuscript Bibliographer Klau Library Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion Cincinnati, Ohio [EMAIL PROTECTED] Messages and opinions expressed on Hasafran are those of the individual author and are not necessarily endorsed by the 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]: Congratulations on a wonderful convention
June-- Thanks for your valuable suggestions in how to interface with the hotel on technology issues. My bit of advice to those who would like to make presentations in the future is to look at all the options of how to present, and not just jump right in to a high level of technology. Electronic technology can be exceptionally helpful and is growing more sophisticated, but I would caution prospective presenters to consider all the options, including going low tech, i.e. just presenting your paper straight, without visual components as all. I debated within myself all year about what tools to use as I did my research and prepared my presentation. I considered power-point, slides, a CD with images, and consulted with colleagues more knowledgable about technologicl options than I. I then happened on an an article in the Chronicle of Higher Education on the pitfalls of making presentations at conferences. It was an embarassing read, as I have, at one time or another, violated all the don'ts enumerated in the article. In addition to the usual common sense wisdom on presenting, the author also advised not relying too heavily on power-point presentations, that they are helpful in some instances, but not in others. The author then very much surprised me by suggesting that there was still a place for papers presented without technological support at all. This was reinforced by a recent article in American Libraries, which also warned of the overuse of power-point. I eventually chose to present without visuals at all, with the exception of a few copies I passed out, showing the problems connected with the rare books I was discussing. Those of you who came to hear me can judge better than I how successful I was. One thing the decision forced me to do was to spend the last month before conference just rehearsing and editing my paper. I also had my wife video-tape it, and I watched myself deliver it. In addition, I tried to be very careful to use ample verbal clues to indicate the direction of my argument, and such basics as on what part of the paper I was focussing at any given moment. As a result, I was able to concentrate exclusively on what I had to say, and didn't have to concern myself with such details as an adapter. My decision would certainly not be advisable for everyone, but it worked for me, and I would do it again for the type of paper I presented. I don't happen to have the references for the two articles I mention, but can easily get them if anyone would like to read the articles. The Chronicle article appeared within the last six months, and the American Libraries article in a recent issue. Dan Rettberg Rare Book and Manuscript Bibliographer Klau Library Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion Cincinnati, Ohio [EMAIL PROTECTED] Messages and opinions expressed on Hasafran are those of the individual author and are not necessarily endorsed by the 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]: Need books by Samuel Sandmel
Assuming your patron doesn't care about editions, printings, etc., and assuming some are still in print in some form, I would suggest ordering through his/her local independent bookstore. For out of print titles, or for a collector wanting all first editions, printings, etc. in dust jackets in good condintion, I would suggest the used and rare book market, and specifically consulting the Antiquarian Booksseller's Association of America's website http://www.abaa.org/http://www.abaa.org/, where you can search their database of dealers for a dealer who specializes in religion/theology, or a dealer in your area. There are also websites where dealers post their holdings with prices, and your patron can browse multiple holdings. I don't have the website addresses for these to hand, but I don't doubt they would be easy to find on the standard search engines. Dan Rettberg Rare Book and Manuscript Bibliographer Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion Klau Library Cincinnati, Ohio [EMAIL PROTECTED] Messages and opinions expressed on Hasafran are those of the individual author and are not necessarily endorsed by the 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]: Congratulations on a wonderful convention
Thanks, Shelli, for writing to ha-Safran and for sharing your response to the convention. In the FYI department, I have learned to pace myself at these events. I no longer feel obligated to attend a session in every time slot where they are scheduled, though, of course, I attend many of them. I allow down time when I am just too tired to listen to one more paper, and adequate time to visit the exhibits and interact with the dealers as well. I feel it is important for librarians to be aware of what is coming out in the fields of expertise represented by their collections, independent of whether collection development is or is not one of their responsibilities. For me, an important part of the convention is networking with colleagues as well. Daniel J. Rettberg Rare Book and Manuscript Bibliographer Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion Klau Library Cincinnati, Ohio [EMAIL PROTECTED] Messages and opinions expressed on Hasafran are those of the individual author and are not necessarily endorsed by the 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] 350th book
I would suggest Potok's last book, Old Men at Midnight. It may look at firsr glance pretty somber, but I found it very uplifting. Dan Rettberg Rare Book and Manuscript Bibliographer Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion Cincinnati, Ohio [EMAIL PROTECTED] Messages and opinions expressed on Hasafran are those of the individual author and are not necessarily endorsed by the 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: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/maillist.html AJL HomePage http://www.JewishLibraries.org
[ha-Safran]: Mekize Nirdamim
A patron wants to ask permission to cite a publication of the Hevrat Mekitse Nirdamim in print. I have made several attempts to search for a website for the organization both on Microsoft Internet Explorer and on Israeli Google. I have found only offerings of their books for sale via a variety of dealers. I checked one of their more recent publications (2000), and found a list of scholars affiliated with the Society, but no address, phone no., FAX, or website address. Does anyone know how my patron can contact the Soceity itself? Thanks much, Dan Rettberg Rare Book and Manuscript Bibliographer Klau Library Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion Cincinnati, Ohio [EMAIL PROTECTED] Messages and opinions expressed on Hasafran are those of the individual author and are not necessarily endorsed by the 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: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/maillist.html AJL HomePage http://www.JewishLibraries.org
RE: [ha-Safran]: Volunteer Librarian-Writers Needed - Wikipedia
Steve-- I truly appreciate your concern, and understand your point about this being an opportunity for good. However, assuming that these sites can in fact be changed by anyone at anytime, how long are they likely to remain as we leave them? Dan Rettberg Rare Book and Manuscript Bibliographer Klau Library Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion Cincinnati, Ohio [EMAIL PROTECTED] == HaSafran - The Electronic Forum of the Association of Jewish Libraries Submissions for HaSafran, send to: Hasafran at lists.acs.ohio-state.edu SUBscribing, SIGNOFF commands send to: Listserver at lists.acs.ohio-state.edu Questions, problems, complaints, compliments;-) send to: galron.1 at osu.edu AJL HomePage http://www.JewishLibraries.org/
RE: [ha-Safran]: Recto-Verso
Interesting question. I've been cataloging early Hebraica for about ten years now, and I've always understood the recto to be, in most cases, the first page the reader encounters, and, yes, on a Hebrew book it would be the page on the left, while in an English book it would be on the right. I say, in most cases, because occasionally there might be some text on the verso of a free endpaper. Dan Rettberg Rare Book and Manuscript Cataloger Klau Library Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion Cincinnat, Ohio [EMAIL PROTECTED] == HaSafran - The Electronic Forum of the Association of Jewish Libraries Submissions for HaSafran, send to: Hasafran at lists.acs.ohio-state.edu SUBscribing, SIGNOFF commands send to: Listserver at lists.acs.ohio-state.edu Questions, problems, complaints, compliments;-) send to: galron.1 at osu.edu AJL HomePage http://www.JewishLibraries.org/
RE: [ha-Safran]: Calendar Dates of Easter and Passover
To begin with, try reading the EJ, the Encyclopedia Britannica, and the New Catholic Encyclopedia on calendar. It is a complex issue. Calendar is indeed Halakhah for everyone. Even the Christian world is not in agreement on calendar. Western Christianity (i.e. Western European Christianity, and those who acknowledge the papacy, or who, historically, have acknowledged the papacy, but may not do so today) follow the Roman calendar, which is solar based. Jews follow a modified Lunar calendar. We intercalate a month every several years in order to keep Passover in the Spring. Otherwise, the holidays would wander all around the seasons, as happens with the purely Lunar Islamic calendar. I believe it was Constantine and the Council of Nicaea (425 C.E.?) who decreed that Christians should compute Easter based on the Vernal Equinox. Check out a traditional western rite Christian prayer book or Liturgy for details. Before that time a significant minority of Eastern Christians insisted that Easter should be celebrated on the fourteenth day of Nisan, according to the Jewish calendar. They are called Quarto decimans (Fourteeners in Latin, if you will). In addition, both Judaism and Christianity count fifty days, Judaism from the second night of Passover, Christians from Easter, and celebrate the fiftieth day (Shavuot in the Jewish calendar), Pentecost (Fifty in Greek), according to Christian reckoning. It is a fascinating subject. I hope this whets your appetite for more. Dan Rettberg Rare Book and Manuscript Bibliographer Klau Library Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion Cincinnati, Ohio [EMAIL PROTECTED] == HaSafran - The Electronic Forum of the Association of Jewish Libraries Submissions for HaSafran, send to: Hasafran at lists.acs.ohio-state.edu SUBscribing, SIGNOFF commands send to: Listserver at lists.acs.ohio-state.edu Questions, problems, complaints, compliments;-) send to: galron.1 at osu.edu AJL HomePage http://www.JewishLibraries.org/
RE: [ha-Safran]: Ovid
Of course, ideally, you would read him in Latin (Don't worry, my Latin isn't good enough either). What I would do is get a good English translation with notes, of the kind commonly used for college level courses, such as one from a series like the Penguin Classics or the Harvard Classics. If you have a modicum of Latin, I would suggest using the text of the Loeb Classical Library, which provides a Latin text alongside an English translation. You could then use the Penguin Classics type text as a supplement. Dan Rettberg Rare Book and Manuscript Bibliographer Klau Library Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion Cincinnati, Ohio [EMAIL PROTECTED] == HaSafran - The Electronic Forum of the Association of Jewish Libraries Submissions for HaSafran, send to: Hasafran at lists.acs.ohio-state.edu SUBscribing, SIGNOFF commands send to: Listserver at lists.acs.ohio-state.edu Questions, problems, complaints, compliments;-) send to: galron.1 at osu.edu AJL HomePage http://www.JewishLibraries.org/
RE: [ha-Safran]: Web literacy
Thanks, Alba, for a timely response. It might be noted that the three questions you list as appropriate to ask of a website are also the same basic questions a critical reader asks of a book. Of course, in the case of the third question, the reader must know how to ask the book the garden variety question, and then to find the answer independently. But, sadly, in my observation, we often don't do a very good job of teaching people to read and think critically, no matter what is being read. Dan Rettberg Rare Book and Manuscript Bibliographer Klau Library Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion Cincinnati, Ohio [EMAIL PROTECTED] === Submissions for Ha-Safran, send to: Hasafran at lists.acs.ohio-state.edu SUBscribing, SIGNOFF commands send to: Listproc at lists.acs.ohio-state.edu Questions, problems, complaints, compliments;-) send to: galron.1 at osu.edu AJL HomePage http://www.JewishLibraries.org
RE: [ha-Safran]: Haggadot from the South before the Civil War
I also did a quick search in our catalog from 1835-1870. I found 17 separate printings of the Haggadah, all in New York, and almost all by the Frank Press (as below), some with German, and some with English translations. This did not surprise me. One of the things I learned as a result of living first in North Carolina for five years, and then in Georgia for almost seven years, is that there wasn't much printing in the South before the end of the Civil War. A significant exception was Lutheran printing in Virginia. In North Carolina, printing for religious purposes (song sheets, etc.) existed among the Moravians in North Carolina in the 1790 's, and there was a limited amount of printing in North Carolina for state government purposes in the 19th century. The major sources of books for the South pre-1865 were Boston, New York, and Philadelphia. Dan Rettberg Rare Book and Manuscript Bibliographer Klau Library Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion Cincinnati, Ohio [EMAIL PROTECTED] == HaSafran - The Electronic Forum of the Association of Jewish Libraries Submissions for HaSafran, send to: Hasafran at lists.acs.ohio-state.edu SUBscribing, SIGNOFF commands send to: Listserver at lists.acs.ohio-state.edu Questions, problems, complaints, compliments;-) send to: galron.1 at osu.edu AJL HomePage http://www.JewishLibraries.org/
RE: [ha-Safran]: Subject search vs. Key Word
I would say it depends on what you want. Key word searching makes it possible to cast a large net, and to get lots of hits. Unfortunately, if you are looking for something quite specific, most of those hits will be false drops, and you will end up perhaps not finding the tree for the forest. Key word searching can be helpful at times, but it is not a panacaea. I am personally very upset at the number of cataloging utilities that seem to operate on the principle that it is. Dan Rettberg Rare Book and Manuscript Cataloger Klau Library Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion Cincinnati, Ohio [EMAIL PROTECTED] == HaSafran - The Electronic Forum of the Association of Jewish Libraries Submissions for HaSafran, send to: Hasafran at lists.acs.ohio-state.edu SUBscribing, SIGNOFF commands send to: Listserver at lists.acs.ohio-state.edu Questions, problems, complaints, compliments;-) send to: galron.1 at osu.edu AJL HomePage http://www.JewishLibraries.org/
RE: [ha-Safran]: Omer and self-improvement
I remember some years ago seeing a manual by or with the participation of Reb Zalman Schachter-Shalomi on counting of the Omer. I have tried more than once to find it, but have not been successful. If anyone else knows it, please let us know. dan Rettberg Klau Library Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion Cincinnati, Ohio [EMAIL PROTECTED] == HaSafran - The Electronic Forum of the Association of Jewish Libraries Submissions for HaSafran, send to: Hasafran at lists.acs.ohio-state.edu SUBscribing, SIGNOFF commands send to: Listserver at lists.acs.ohio-state.edu Questions, problems, complaints, compliments;-) send to: galron.1 at osu.edu AJL HomePage http://www.JewishLibraries.org/
RE: [HaSafran} Help! Good prayer stories for children?
Dear Colleagues-- This is indeed both an interesting and (to me) inspiring anecdote. I am preparing a paper for AJL in June dealing with inscriptions of the owners/users of Hebrew Psalters preserved in the HUC/Cincinnati collections. I am attempting to set a context for their remarks by examining classical Jewish (and other) sources on the subject of saying Psalms. It would help me further to have a variety of responses from people of a range of religious practice about their experiences with saying Tehillim. Most basically, I would like to know, how you say Psalms (i.e., do you use some sort of regular discipline (i.e. the whole book in a week or in a month), or do you say Psalms at specific times (i.e. on the Jahrzeit of a parent or when someone is ill?). Why do you say Psalms? What do you believe you will accomplish? How do you see the saying of Psalms as contributing to your relationship to G-d? I realize that some may see these as very personal questions. Please feel free to respond to me personally ([EMAIL PROTECTED]), rather than to the entire list, if you wish. Please know, too, that if I choose to use any of your comments in my paper, that I will not mention your name without your permission. Thanks in advance to all who choose to respond. I realize too that some may see this request as off the subject for our list. I apologize in advance for any offense given. Dan Rettberg Rare Book and Manuscript Bibliographer Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion Cincinnati, Ohio [EMAIL PROTECTED] === Submissions for Ha-Safran, send to: Hasafran at lists.acs.ohio-state.edu SUBscribing, SIGNOFF commands send to: Listproc at lists.acs.ohio-state.edu Questions, problems, complaints, compliments;-) send to: galron.1 at osu.edu AJL HomePage http://www.JewishLibraries.org
RE: [ha-Safran]: Need for librarians in Jewish Institutions.
Dear Rivka-- I am very glad to see your interest in Judaica Librarianship, and especially in your desire to serve in a Jewish institution. However, with all due repects to those who serve in such positions, I would suggest that you not be too quick to narrow your horizons, especially in light of the cautionary statements already expressed in response to your message. Be aware that there are fine collections of Judaica in non-Jewish institutions as well, and that these collections are not likely to disappear any time soon no matter the statistics on the number and specialties of traditional librarians. Sometimes they masquerade as other things, and sometimes their librarians/curators have titles that do not obviously identify the nature of the collections with which they work. Sometimes the Judaic element constitutes only one component part of a larger collection with what may sound like non-Judaic emphases. Libraries, archives, museums, etc. with these sorts of collections look for professionals whose backgrounds qualify them to work with one or more of the emphases represented by their instutitions. Good academic interests to combine with Judaica, or whatever your own specific Judaic interests may be, are European or American History, Comparative Religion, Local History, Sociology, and Philosophy. Even Mathamatics, Medicine, and other scientific interests combine well with Judaica depending on the sorts of institutions to which you apply. If your desire is to serve the Jewish community, be aware that those of us who have served in non-Jewish institutions have often found ourselves serving the Jewish community anyway. Once it becomes known that university x or library x has strong Jewish oriented collections, and someone capable of interpreting those collections to the larger community, the requests for tours do come in. You may also have the opportunity to mount exhibits or exhibitions which will draw both Jews and non-Jews from the larger community. These sorts of positions provide the librarian/curator with the opportunity to reach out to both Jew and non-Jew, and to act as a bridge to bring people together. In the FYI department, I have been at my present post for almost three years out of a fifteen year professional career, and it is the first Jewish institution in which I have served as a professional librarian. Dan Rettberg Rare Book and Manuscript Bibliographer Klau Library Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion Cincinnati, Ohio [EMAIL PROTECTED] == HaSafran - The Electronic Forum of the Association of Jewish Libraries Submissions for HaSafran, send to: Hasafran at lists.acs.ohio-state.edu SUBscribing, SIGNOFF commands send to: Listserver at lists.acs.ohio-state.edu Questions, problems, complaints, compliments;-) send to: galron.1 at osu.edu AJL HomePage http://www.JewishLibraries.org/
RE: [ha-Safran]: Question about how to catalog/display
Andrea-- It sounds as though you have received your first rare or special acquisition. Congratulations. Collecting such materials can be very interesting and rewarding, and, to my mind, could be a definite part of a school, congregational, or community library program as well. Such items are great for display, and can be good starting points for conversations with potential doners. They can be good educational tools for class room use, or for special tours offered whole classes as well. Consider using this book as the basis for collecting Haggadot or Jewish art books. These are both areas that could attract the interest of patrons or donors. Money given for such acquisitions could lead to gifts for other needs as well. The first thing to do is to remember the basic rule of Special Collections care and processing. Do nothing to the piece that cannot be undone. This of course, means not marking it any way, not attaching any pockets, strips, bar codes, etc. etc. Such a piece should be non-circulating, and available for examination and use by individuals only under the direct supervision of a staff member. Pencil only should be used around the piece, no food or drink should be permitted near it. The only real exceptions I know to the basic rule can be writing a call number in a light pencil in an unobtrusive area, or, I understand, the application of acid-neutral ink with some sort of security code. Personally, I have never done that, and am uncomfortable with the practice. My advice is not to mark the piece in any way. You can mount a call no. and library I.D. on a strip of acid-neutral paper, and tuck it into the book, box, packet, etc. Cataloging such materials can be another world entirely from regular cataloging. Given that this is your first piece, and that you may not have thought about a direction for further acquisitions, I would suggest keeping things as simple as possible. Initially, I would add a field to the record noting that it is a limited ed., together with the no. of copies produced, as well as the number of the copy which you own. Preferably, quote the actual statement from the piece itself. I would also note any special additions that would not normally be a part of a printed book. Here I am thinking of the signature of the artist or engraver. Also, I would give a minimal description of the linoleum cuts. If the book is housed in a box, describe that as well. These additions will benefit patrons, in letting them know exactly what you have, and will, in themselves, act as security measures. Should you ever need to identify the piece as yours, the more information specific to your piece you can add to the record the better off you will be. Given the range of value you mention, I would also send a copy of your description and a statement of value to your insurance company, and ask that it be mentioned specifically in your policy. As to storing the piece, keep it somewhere out of direct or natural light, and somewhere away from extremes of temperature and humidity. Oh, and don't forget to enjoy it! Dan Rettberg Rare Book and Manuscript Bibliographer Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion Cincinnati, Ohio [EMAIL PROTECTED] === Submissions for Ha-Safran, send to: Hasafran at lists.acs.ohio-state.edu SUBscribing, SIGNOFF commands send to: Listproc at lists.acs.ohio-state.edu Questions, problems, complaints, compliments;-) send to: galron.1 at osu.edu AJL HomePage http://www.JewishLibraries.org
[ha-Safran]: Omanut ha-Yehudit
A faculty friend from the University of Cincinnati sent me the following note. We do not have the dust jacket he mentions. Is there anyone out there who can help him? Please do respond to the list, especially if you are addressing the issue of dust jackets in collections. Thanks, Dan Rettberg Rare Book and Manuscript Bibliographer Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion Cincinnati, Ohio mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED][EMAIL PROTECTED] -Original Message- From: Steven Fine [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Tuesday, December 16, 2003 11:12 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Request for ha-Safran Hi Folks! I am looking for the paper jacket to Omanut ha-Yehudit, ed. Z. Ephron and C. Roth (Tel Aviv: Masadah, 1956/57). I need a scan of the front cover. If anyone has it, I would most appreciate your help. I am using the design of this jacket as a historical source to explain the ideological underpinnings of Jewish Art scholarship at mid-century. A broader question: does any library systematically collect Jewish book jackets? They really are an important and overlooked, historical source worth preserving. Thanks much, Steve - Steven Fine, Jewish Foundation Professor of Judaic Studies, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45221-0169 == HaSafran - The Electronic Forum of the Association of Jewish Libraries Submissions for HaSafran, send to: Hasafran at lists.acs.ohio-state.edu SUBscribing, SIGNOFF commands send to: Listserver at lists.acs.ohio-state.edu Questions, problems, complaints, compliments;-) send to: galron.1 at osu.edu AJL HomePage http://www.JewishLibraries.org/
[Ha-Safran] Responsum
Dear Colleagues-- I received a request from a patron this morning for the date of composition of a responsum by Rav Isser Yehuda Unterman, which appears on p. 54 in the 1983 collection of his responsa, Shevet mi-Yehuda. In that printing the responsum is number 21, and is entitled, Im mutar la-asot nituah plasti basar shel met la-guf hai. All he says in the text about when he wrote the responsum is that it it was reprinted from the journal, Kol Torah. I checked our copies of the journal for the 1960's, but did not find the relevant responsum. Given the contemporary nature of the topic, I doubted that he wrote it in the 1950's, so did not go that far back. I think it likely that he wrote the responsum sometime in the last seven years of his life (i.e. 1969-1976), but cannot confirm that assumption since we don't have those issues of Kol Torah. I would be most grateful if one of you with access to those issues would check them for me, and send me the citation for the responsum. Thanks much. Dan Rettberg Rare Book and Manuscript Bibliographer Klau Library Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion Cincinnati, Ohio [EMAIL PROTECTED] == HaSafran - The Electronic Forum of the Association of Jewish Libraries Submissions for HaSafran, send to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] SUBscribing, SIGNOFF commands send to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Questions, problems, complaints, compliments;-) send to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] AJL HomePage http://www.JewishLibraries.org/
[Ha-Safran] Responsum
When I sent the below message, I neglected to note that I would like the date of the actual composition of the responsum as well, if it appears at the beginning or the end of the text. Thanks again. Dan Rettberg [EMAIL PROTECTED] == HaSafran - The Electronic Forum of the Association of Jewish Libraries Submissions for HaSafran, send to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] SUBscribing, SIGNOFF commands send to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Questions, problems, complaints, compliments;-) send to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] AJL HomePage http://www.JewishLibraries.org/
RE: [Ha-Safran] Information business
Thanks, Eli, for an erudite and thought-provoking response. But, I do have a couple of caveats (You thought I woudn't?!). You say, It is about time that we present ourselves using current terminology. You also say, We should feel comfortable using those terms because they accurately describe our duties and functions. I'm afraid I'm not that much of a pragmatist. As I have attempted to make clear, I don't object to modern technology, per se, but I do object when the use of that technology leads to a change in our perception of exactly what the nature of our work may be, and much more basically the exact nature of the world of which we are among the guides. Those who use that terminology clearly do not do so in a neutral way. I still remember a friend and colleague at another institution, who said that as soon as someone invented the wheel, our relationship to the ground changed. That is philosophy, not neutral terminology. Academic librarians have struggled for years against the perception that they are simply glorified secretaries (My apologies to all secretaries, for whom I have the highest respect; I am only repeating what others have said.). I don't want us to give the ignorant even more ammunition to use against us. It's bad enough that too many administrators see technology as a means of speading up production, and see additional advanced degrees only as a means of making the library look better in the eyes of the public. In one way I am a pragmatist. I will use just about any technology available so long as it does what I want it to do. I'm not particularly concerned about adopting it just because the rest of the world thinks I should. And, yes we do still have a card catalog here, with an active manual shelf list, but we also have an online catalog, full internet connections, and a wide variety of both electronic and printed resources. We use what works for us and what fits our budget. Best, Dan Rettberg [EMAIL PROTECTED] == HaSafran - The Electronic Forum of the Association of Jewish Libraries Submissions for HaSafran, send to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] SUBscribing, SIGNOFF commands send to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Questions, problems, complaints, compliments;-) send to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] AJL HomePage http://www.JewishLibraries.org/
RE: [Ha-Safran] Information business
Thanks, Ted. I'ld like to thank you and everyone else who has written in response to one or another point. I believe we are at our best as an organization and on this list when we are discussing such issues. So, where are the rest of our friends and colleagues out in Virtual Land? Let's hear from more Safranim on these issues. Best, Dan [EMAIL PROTECTED] == HaSafran - The Electronic Forum of the Association of Jewish Libraries Submissions for HaSafran, send to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] SUBscribing, SIGNOFF commands send to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Questions, problems, complaints, compliments;-) send to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] AJL HomePage http://www.JewishLibraries.org/
RE: [Ha-Safran] S'forno Commentary
The Sforno is one of the commentaries usually printed in a large Mikraot gedolot. An English translation in (I believe) two v. is currently in print with ArtScroll. Dan Rettberg Klau Library Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion Cincinnati, Ohio [EMAIL PROTECTED] == HaSafran - The Electronic Forum of the Association of Jewish Libraries Submissions for HaSafran, send to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] SUBscribing, SIGNOFF commands send to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Questions, problems, complaints, compliments;-) send to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] AJL HomePage http://www.JewishLibraries.org/
RE: [Ha-Safran] OCLC, Dewey, trademarks, and heavy-handedness
Ted, It seems to me that you have hit the nail on the head, only I'm afraid you and I may be using different nails and maybe even a different hammer. I think we both recognize the issue of whether or not a brand name can be owned, but it's clear to me that you think Dewey and Kleenex, et al. are or ought to be in the same category. Perhaps, legally, they are. That is for a court to decide. But, personally, I don't believe they should be. Likewise, I don't believe, contrary to what appears to be the view of many in our profession today, that we are or should be in the information business. Information, to me, involves raw data. The IRS is in the information business. The business office of my college is in the information business. Libraries, to one extent or another, depending upon what sort of library one has in mind, contain and deal in some information, but, for the most part, they deal in knowledge and wisdom. As such, it seems to me, that we should think of ourselves and our work in different terms than those that the marketplace sets. My college seems to think that the services I offer the public have some financial value, ergo they provide me with a regular paycheck. Perhaps, therefore, it can be said that I do not offer my services altruistically, but in most cases the college does. We do not limit access to patrons who have paid tuition or who are in the paid employ of the college. Our library is open to anyone who cares to walk in and use our materials. We offer community borrowing privileges as well. Our electronic catalog is accessible by anyone with an internet account. Professionally speaking, I don't think we are alone in these practices. I remember a discussion in one of my graduate classes (I won't say how many years ago!) that involved the question of whether or not works composed by individuals were in earlier times considered public or private property (recognizing, of course, that western law today considers them private property). Our instructor made the point that in the manuscript period there seemed to be a much looser attitude towards property rights than there are today. He cited, as his proof, that manuscript copies of the same medieval Jewish legal work could sometimes differ from one another significantly. He attributed this not to copyist error, but to legal authorities, other than the original, feeling that they had the right to add their own decisions to the manuscript as well, not necessarily identifying themselves in the process. If this is a correct interpretation of the manuscripts, I can't help wondering if we have lost something of real value in our communities and our larger society. Best, Dan Rettberg Klau Library Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion Cincinnati, Ohio [EMAIL PROTECTED] == HaSafran - The Electronic Forum of the Association of Jewish Libraries Submissions for HaSafran, send to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] SUBscribing, SIGNOFF commands send to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Questions, problems, complaints, compliments;-) send to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] AJL HomePage http://www.JewishLibraries.org/
RE: [ha-Safran]: Cataloguing Time
First, let me both congratulate you on the opportunity to work with such materials, and to commiserate over the size of the task. You don't say what background you bring to the work. If I recommend a few helps of which you are already aware, please forgive me. You should know that, depending on where you are, there are any number of printed tools, some available in almost any public library of size, that could help you. The first that comes to mind is the, National Union Catalog Pre-1956 imprints, otherwise known as Mansell, because that was the name of the publisher. It is, so far as I know, a complete record of the cataloged holdings of the Library of Congress (and many other libraries) to the mid-1950's. It should include most of the older and rarer books you encounter. The records are not extensive (photographs of card catalog cards), but will help immensely in identifying printings, names of commentators, etc. It was issued in print (many large volumes), and is now available in microfiche as well. Another work which you should be able to get for not too much money is the, Bet eked Sepharim, of Ch. B. Friedberg and Baruch Friedberg. It covers Hebrew imprints through the 1920's, and has been printed any number of times, so shouldn't be too hard to locate. Jewish academic libraries should all have it. Also, the Otsar ha-Sefer ha-Ivri, of Y. Vinograd (Jerusalem, 1995), which is also avaiable on CD-Rom, and can be seen in both forms in most academic Jewish libraries. I encourage you to continue noting those things that make each book unique (i.e. former ownership, condition of copy, etc.). These points can be very important for researchers. I'm not sure how one can tell how long it should take for you to complete the project. As you are probably discovering, some books you can complete in a relatively short amount of time, others take longer. Also, you cannot just catalog continously for eight hours per day. If you're like me, you need to vary your daily activities, take time for a break, etc. I have been cataloging rare (and more common) books professionally for about a decade now. When officially doing nothing but cataloging, some days I have been able to complete 12-15 records per day. Other days I have been lucky to complete 2 or 3. It can help to batch some materials. For example, if you have a lot of Haggadas, I would set them aside and do them as a group. Once you set a pattern for cataloging them, you can then push through the group in relatively good time. I'm sorry I can't be more specific. Larger institutions do caculate estimates of how long it will take to get through a cataloging project, particularly if they are seeking outside funding for the work, but, of course, this takes place after the collection has been inventoried. Dan Rettberg Rare Book and Manuscript Bibliographer Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion Cincinnati, Ohio [EMAIL PROTECTED] === Submissions for Ha-Safran, send to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] SUBscribing, SIGNOFF commands send to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Questions, problems, complaints, compliments;-) send to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] AJL HomePage http://www.JewishLibraries.org
RE: [ha-Safran]: Jewish storytelling/tellers and catalogers
As to cataloging, off the top of my head, I don't have an answer for you, but certainly libraries (private as well as university/public) in earlier times in Europe had all sorts of ways of indicating ownership and place on the shelf in their collections. I would assume that this was true of the great private Jewish libraries as well. One famous example is the library of Rabbi David ben Abraham Oppenheim(er) (1664-1736) renowned for its breadth and depth, that in the nineteenth century was sold to Oxford University, where it became the core of the Hebraica section of the the Bodleian (Check EJ on this). I would assume he had some way of indicating where in his library a particular book was to be found. I would check the printed catalogs of the collection, and, perhaps, contact the Bodleian for details. Dan Rettberg Klau Library Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion Cincinnati, Ohio [EMAIL PROTECTED] == HaSafran - The Electronic Forum of the Association of Jewish Libraries Submissions for HaSafran, send to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] SUBscribing, SIGNOFF commands send to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Questions, problems, complaints, compliments;-) send to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] AJL HomePage http://www.JewishLibraries.org/
RE: [ha-Safran]: Worms!
How old are the books? Are you sure the holes represent an active infestation? Rare book collections can include any number of pieces with worming, but the infestation is usually quite old, and the worms are no longer present. Dan Rettberg Klau Library Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion Cincinnati, Ohio [EMAIL PROTECTED] == HaSafran - The Electronic Forum of the Association of Jewish Libraries Submissions for HaSafran, send to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] SUBscribing, SIGNOFF commands send to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Questions, problems, complaints, compliments;-) send to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] AJL HomePage http://www.JewishLibraries.org/
RE: [ha-Safran]: Judaism and cults
Thanks, Elisheva. You sum up my feelings on the subject well. The book I recommended is a serious scholarly study, and is not at all in the class of some materials we collect here at HUC in the name of academic freedom (white supremicist writings, for example), but that, privately, we may wish had never been printed. Nonetheless, we collect them, and put them out in the circulating collection, because we believe our patrons have the right to learn the views of others from their own literature, and that the purpose of a library is to provide access, not to tell people what to think. With all do respects to the organizations, whose websites were offered early on in this discussion, I don't believe all of them necessarily provide all the truth all the time either. I don't doubt their sincerety, or the good they may do in the Jewish community, but it seems to me one always runs the risk of distortion when one's purpose is not simply to educate, but to prove another wrong. One may not always agree with a scholar's conclusions, but at least in a critical study, one can assume a desire to be as thorough as possible, and give all opinions their due. Dan Rettberg Klau Library Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion Cincinnati, Ohio [EMAIL PROTECTED] === Submissions for Ha-Safran, send to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] SUBscribing, SIGNOFF commands send to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Questions, problems, complaints, compliments;-) send to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] AJL HomePage http://www.JewishLibraries.org
