[ha-Safran]: How about Me'ah Shearim and Public Libraries?
Hello, Janet. My guess is that the premise of your study, as stated, will not bear any accurate results. While I understand the assumptions/observations that you have made and wish to pursue, the term "Orthodox Jew" no longer has any well defined meaning. Anybody can call themselves an "Orthodox Jew" with a straight face - and you'll be hard pressed to convince them otherwise. A limited number of people, however, will call themselves a "Torah Jew". So, perhaps this group might be a more definitive focus group for your study. Without elaborating on this further, then, may I propose an alternative thesis statement for your study (based on my limited knowledge, anyway)? How about: "Why are there no Public Libraries in Me'ah Shearim?" In the interim, here are some ideas for your consideration 1) The "Public Library" of the Torah Jew is called a "Beis Midrash". There are differences between the two venues, especially in their purposes. Women are not excluded from Torah study as many claim. Their venues and purposes are simply different. A reputable seminary will provide more details. 2) Since the Torah is all encompasing, there is no real reason for a a Torah Jew to pursue knowledge outside of a Beis Medrash. While it is a valid issue, the lack of tznius in today's public libraries, is really besides-the-point and almost apologetic. Unfortunately, many certifcation granting organizations do not readily accept Talmudic thought or sources. So, a visit to a Public Library for case material might be necessary. The Internet is the ultimate Public Library of today. 3) Consider researching what Torah Judaism has to say about the Septuagint. On the fast of the 17th of Tammuz, we mourn the translation of the Jewish Scriptures into Greek. I think this would bring out some interesting commentary for your study. Hope this helps, Good Luck, Cheers, Avi Avi Shoub E-libraries Israel Authorized VTLS Marketing Agent Authorized WebClarity Reseller Freelance Technical Writer (02) 999-7543 [EMAIL PROTECTED] www.e-libraries.co.il 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]: How about Me'ah Shearim and Public Libraries?
I saw Avi Shoub reply to the debate of public libraries and Orthodox Jews. As Orthodox Jews really have a very broad definition I would like to point your attention to the fact, that in recent year the Jerusalem Municipality has opened 9 (nine) small public libraries in Charedi neighbourhood. These libraries serve hundreds of children and their mothers, and I am sure the books the mother borrow are read by the men in the house very often. These libraries have fiction and reference material approved by rabonim or other authoritative persons. The libraries are small but crowded with people. The municipality even initiated a special course for library education to women who should serve as librarians in these libraries. I was in charge of this special course. Shoshana Langerman Lecturer, David Yellin College Jerusalem [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]: How about Me'ah Shearim and Public Libraries?
Regarding, Shoshana Langerman's response to my initial e-mail: I would be interested in learning more about these 9 particular libraries. Their approval by Rabbanim for visitation by women and (young) children is in line with what I had stated in my first letter. Similarly, I can see a Torah Jewish Father reading these books at home to one or more of his young children as part of his family responsibilities (ex: bedtime stories, quality time...). But people should be aware that there are probably hundreds of such libraries in Torah communities around the World. They are called Book Gemachs !! However, formalizing these Gemachs to enable Torah Jewish Mothers to pursue a supplementary means of parnassa *other* than Graphic Arts and Teaching (i.e. Library Science), sounds to be a very positive idea. Cheers, Avi Avi Shoub E-libraries Israel Authorized VTLS Marketing Agent Authorized WebClarity Reseller Freelance Technical Writer (02) 999-7543 [EMAIL PROTECTED] www.e-libraries.co.il 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]: How about Me'ah Shearim and Public Libraries?
In response to your last mail, I only want to mention that the libraries I refer to are real libraries where they purchase variuos books. They have a nice reference collection It is nor a Gmach, which is something that has nothing to do with alibrary. A gmach is just a place where one can borrow books for a small donation. The libararies have computerized catalogs, and have various activities beyond just lending out books. Shoshana Langerman 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
