Chaim Potok donates manuscripts to Van Pelt

Rabbi Chaim Potok’s entire written collection can now call the Van Pelt Library its home.

The author of best-selling novel The Chosen bequeathed his personal papers to Penn upon his death in 2002. The papers include multiple drafts of his written works, fan mail, lectures, sermons, clippings, notebooks, memorabilia and a letter from Nobel Laureate and Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel.

Penn only recently received the documents, but Curator of Manuscripts at Penn Nancy Shawcross confirmed that the library is currently in possession of them.

When asked about the importance of the collection, Shawcross emphasized its “important glimpse” into an influential American figure.

Although unable to deem one of Potok’s writings as his most significant, she responded that the journey of The Chosen from start to finish is very consequential.

“It’s a complete picture of [his] thought process,” she said about the notebooks, drafts and letters that illustrate the “long and arduous path” to getting the best-seller published.

Being able to track the progress of the influential text up until the title was changed moments before publication offers great insight into a meaningful text, she added.

Both Shawcross and the Rare Book and Manuscript Library in Van Pelt are excited about this addition because of Potok’s cultural influence.

“The public was waiting for someone to address culture differences and cultural change”, Shawcross said.

On Feb. 17 — what would have been Potok’s 81st birthday — the Rare Books Library is hosting a reception for the documents on Van Pelt’s second floor. Jane Eisner, editor of Forward, will be a guest speaker at the reception.

Potok’s entire donation will be accessible to students during the Rare Books Library’s normal business hours, 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Monday through Friday and noon to 4 p.m. on Saturdays.

Potok received his doctorate from Penn in 1965 and was a visiting professor of philosophy in 1983. His generous contribution to the libraries was in discussion before his death.

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