Salon Explores Diversity of Jewish Culture

JEWISH EXPONENT
By Sophie Panzer

A page from Charlotte von Rosthchild’s 1842 illustrated Passover Haggadah. (Courtesy of Ardon Bar-Hama)

The Katz Center for Advanced Judaic Studies at the University of Pennsylvania and the Posen Library of Jewish Culture and Civilization revived an old Jewish tradition on Feb. 23, hosting a salon focusing on the diversity of Jewish culture. That ties in with the library’s role of collecting and translating primary sources from Jewish history in encyclopedic volumes. “The Posen Library seeks to change how English-speaking Jews understand Jewish culture and civilization,” said Deborah Dash Moore, professor of history and professor of Judaic studies at the University of Michigan, the project’s editor-in-chief who hosted the event. “It’s not just religious, it’s a mix of sacred and secular. It’s not just the domain of men, women played a very influential role. It’s written in dozens of languages. This anthology is meant to open people’s minds.” [More]