Lecture opens rare Jewish text exhibition

An exhibition of rare Jewish texts was promoted Thursday night at the Annenberg School. "Tablet, Scroll & Book: Judaic Treasures [is] part of the celebrations of the historic merger between the former Annenberg Research Institute [and] Penn's School of Arts and Sciences, and the subsequent formation of the Center for Judaic Studies," said Barry Eichler, chairperson of the Judaic Studies Program. School of Arts and Sciences Dean Rosemary Stevens, the opening speaker, called the lecture and exhibit "the first visible, public fruit of the merger." Yosef Hayim Yerushalmi, Jewish History professor at Columbia University, was the keynote speaker who stressed the history and importance of the exhibit. Professor Yerushalmi discussed in his speech the difference between the oral and written word. He talked about the lasting effect of the burning of Jewish texts in Europe. But, he said Jews continued to write and print books for posterity. "The toll, needless to say, has been immense," Yerushalmi said. Yerushalmi said European Jews began to take advantage of the printing press almost immediately after its invention. He also noted Hebrew was taught at the colleges founded during colonial times. Following the lecture, the audience was invited to view the exhibit at the Rosenwald Gallery of Van Pelt Library . The exhibit includes a wide range of objects, from third millennium BC Mesopotamia objects to Holy Scriptures from early twentieth century Philadelphia. Reaction to the lecture and exhibition was overwhelmingly positive. Many members of the audience praised Professor Yerushalmi. "I appreciated his focus on the universal value of the Hebrew language," said Rabbi Howard Alpert, executive director of Hillel. "[I] was especially impressed to realize that the very first book printed in the United States contained Hebrew," said Jeffery Tigay, professor of Hebrew and Semitic languages. Many in the audience enjoyed the exhibition, which contains texts from the Center for Judaic Studies, Libraries' Special Collections and the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology. Tigay said he was "especially drawn" to the Passover Hagadah on display, the oldest in existence, from tenth century Cairo. Sara Crimm, a fundraiser for SAS, said she is "glad all these things are here at Penn where they belong." An essay contest, open to undergraduates and graduate students, is being held in conjunction with the exhibit. The topic for the contest is "Encountering an Exhibition of Judaic Treasures," thought the exact topic is open. "This contest is really to encourage students to come and explore this exhibition and to then write their thoughts about it," said Barbara Cohen, associate director of development to SAS, who is handling development for the Center for Judaic Studies. Prizes of $750, $500 and $250 will be rewarded to the top three essays chosen.