Judaica Librarianship

Volume 10 Number 1–2 62-66

5-1-2000 Recommended Judaica Reference Works, 1994–1996 Charles Cutter Brandeis University

Micha F. F. Oppenheim Jewish Theological Seminary of America

Follow this and additional works at: http://ajlpublishing.org/jl Part of the Bilingual, Multilingual, and Multicultural Education Commons, Information Literacy Commons, Jewish Studies Commons, and the Reading and Language Commons

Recommended Citation Cutter, Charles and Oppenheim, Micha F. F.. 2000. "Recommended Judaica Reference Works, 1994–1996." Judaica Librarianship 10: 62-66. doi:10.14263/2330-2976.1156. Recommended Judaica Reference Works, 1994-1996

Charles Cutter and Micha F. Oppenheim Brandeis University Jewish Theological Seminary Waltham, MA of America New York, NY

The purpose of this column is to recom­ Amichai, Yehuda demons whose names are found in the mend current Judaica reference sources, Bible. Includes an index of names. There both general and specialized. It is intended 1 . Yehuda Amichai: A Bibliograpy of his , are, for example, 80 index references to to serve as a guide to new tools for schol- _ Work in Translation. Bibliographer: Essi Jesus, including his 11-page entry in the arly research as well as to more popular, Lapon-Kandelshein. Ramat Gan: The Insti­ body of the work. but reliable, works. The annotations tute for the Translation of Hebrew Literature describe the scope, arrangement, and use (P.O.B. 10051, Ramat Gan 52001, Israel), 4. Dogniez, Cecile. Bibliography of the of each work. 1994. 653p. ISBN 9652550258. Septuagint (1970-1993). Leiden: E. J. Brill, This work was prepared to commemorate 1995. 329 p. ISBN 9004101926. $102. This column lists selected reference mate­ the 70th birthday of Yehuda Amichai, the rials that appeared from 1994 to 1996. most widely translated Hebrew poet. The This survey of the literature from 1970 to Works published in 1992 and 1993 that entries are arranged alphabetically by some 1993 updates A Classified Bibliography of were not reviewed in prior columns are 29 languages, then subarranged by genre the Septuagint, by S.P. Brock et al. (Brill, included as well. (including short stories, criticism, book 1973), which covered texts of and literature reviews, and interviews), editor, and title in about the Septuagint published from 1900 The reference works are classified under translation. Includes six indexes: Titles to 1969. the following subject headings: (English); Translators; Authors (English); Authors (Hebrew); Yiddish; Titles (Hebrew). Biographies Amichai, Yehuda Baby books Baby books 5. Comay, Joan. Who's Who in Jewish His­ Bible tory After the Period of the Old Testament. Biographies 2. Diamant, Anita. The New Jewish Baby New edition, revised by Lavinia Cohn-Sher­ Cairo Genizah Book-Names, Ceremonies, Customs: A bok. 2nd ed. London: Routledge, 1995. 407 Community centers Guide for Today's Families. Woodstock, VT: p. ISBN 0415125839; 0415118875 (pbk). Dead Sea Scrolls Jewish Lights Publishing, 1993. 288 p. Encyclopedias ISBN 1879045281. $15.95. An updated reference guide to more than a Ethics thousand prominent men and women who Genealogy A complete guide to the traditions and ritu­ have shaped Jewish culture from the end of Hebrew language-Dictionaries als for welcoming a new child to the world the Old Testament period to the present. History and into the Jewish community. Describes Detailed biographical information is given. History-Europe contemporary liberal Jewish practices of Includes maps, a glossary, and a thematic Holocaust expectant or new parents. Includes lists of index, in which all the biographers are clas­ Internet names for boys and girls as well as chap­ sified under forty-one subject headings. Jewish studies ters on brit milah and brit bat; celebrations Judaism and customs; adoption; infertility and genet­ 6. Who's Who of World Religions. Editor: Library science ic testing; and a special section for interfaith John R. Hinnells. New York: Simon & Schus­ Lubavitch-Directory families. Reference matter includes: Jewish ter, 1992. 560 p. ISBN 0139529462. $64. Mailing lists resources for new parents; Glossary; Direc­ Manuscripts tory of calligraphers and artists; and Index. Covers 26 formally established churches Museums and new religious movements, including Printing-Wilhermsdorf Bible the occult and the magical, especially in Suffering North America. This book deals with the Talmud 3. Dictionary of Deities and Demons in men and women who have shaped the Travel the Bible (DDD). Karel van der Toorn, et world's religions, including Judaism, in the Women al., editors. Leiden: E.J. Brill, 1995. 1774 past and in the present. Includes a bibliog­ columns. ISBN 9004103139. $119. raphy, maps, a synoptic index (a list show­ ing how the entries are distributed among The first compilation of its kind, this refer­ the 26 religious movements), and a gener­ ence tool discusses all the gods and al index.

62 Judaica Librarianship Vol. 10 No. 1-2 Spring 1999-Winter 2000 Cairo Genizah Encyclopedias Hebrew language-Dictionaries

7. Isaacs, Haskel D. Medical and Para­ 1o. The New Standard Jewish Encyclo­ 13. The Oxford English-Hebrew Dictio­ Medical Manuscripts in the Cambridge pedia. Geoffrey Wigoder, Editor. New rev. nary. In collaboration with the Oxford Cen­ Genizah Collections. New York: Cambridge ed. New York: Facts on File, 1992. 1001 p. tre for Hebrew and Jewish Studies. Oxford; University Press, 1994. 144 p. ISBN ISBN 0816026904. $59.95. New York: Oxford University Press, 1996. 0521470501. 1091 p. ISBN 0198643225. This one-volume reference book covers all The manuscripts covered by this work are aspects of Jewish history, religion and cul­ The editors of the OEHD attempted to part of the Taylor-Schechter Genizah Col­ ture. In this 7th revised edition, entries describe the most common words and lection; they are written primarily in Judeo­ found in previous editions have been phrases that are "likely to be the most Arabic, Arabic, and Hebrew. This reference updated and new ones added. Includes needed by the average user." The dictio­ tool begins with a bibliography of literature 300 maps and illustrations. nary includes phonetic transcription of the about the manuscripts. The body of the English headwords. work, Description of Manuscripts, is fol­ Ethics lowed by indexes of names, titles, words, History materia medica, subjects, and plates. 11 . Amsel, Nachum. The Jewish Encyclo­ pedia of Moral and Ethical Issues. North­ 14. Gribetz, Judah. The Timetables of Community centers vale, NJ: J. Aronson, 1994. 505 p. ISBN Jewish History: A Chronology of the Most 1568211740. $29.95. Important People and Events in Jewish His­ 8. World JCC Directory. Jerusalem: tory. With Edward L. Greenstein and Regi­ World Confederation of Jewish Communi­ Concise essays on 75 basic human values. na Stein. New York: Simon & Schuster, ty Centers (12 Hess St., Jerusalem Topics are arranged alphabetically. The 1993. 808 p. ISBN 0671640070. $35. 94185), 1995. 70 p. "goal of the volume is to show the specific traditional Jewish responses to the moral "This work offers a concise record of key Covers North America, South America, issues of today" (Introduction, p. 1). Among figures and important events in the history Europe (including for the first time countries the topics covered: Business ethics, Cults, of the Jewish people from earliest times to from the former Soviet Union and else­ Ecology, Euthanasia and abortion, Honesty the present. Its format displays entries where in Eastern Europe), Israel, India, and and cheating, Messiah, Modesty, Peace, chronologically, when read vertically, and Hong Kong. Each entry includes the name Self-defense, Speech, Triage, and War. geographically, when read horizontally" and address, as well as telephone and fax Includes Hebrew sources in 182 pages of (Introduction). More than 8000 entries doc­ numbers of the community center. endnotes, and an index. ument the relationship of the Jewish people to world civilization. This reference work Dead Sea Scrolls Genealogy includes a glossary and .a comprehensive index of names, organizations, places, titles 9. Reed, Stephen A. The Dead Sea Scrolls 12. Resources for Jewish Genealogy in of literary works, and subjects. Catalogue: Documents, Photographs, and the Boston Area. Edited by Warren Blatt. Museum Inventory Numbers. Atlanta, [Boston, MA]: Jewish Genealogical Society 15. Jacobs, Philip Walker. A Guide to the Georgia: Scholars Press, 1994. 558 p. of Greater Boston, 1996. 275 p. ISBN Study of Greco-Roman and Jewish and ISBN 0788500171. 0965215105. Christian History and Literature. Lanham, MD: University Press of America, 1994. 118 A key to the copy negatives of all the Dead This guide to resources in the Boston area p. ISBN 0819195170. $24.50. Sea Scrolls, both published and unpub­ for researchers of Jewish genealogy is lished, that are housed at the Ancient Bibli­ organized in two major sections. The first "The purpose of this guide is to provide cal Manuscript Center in Claremont, Califor­ section briefly describes and lists the major students of ancient history, literature, and nia. The Catalogue is divided into the fol­ "Record Types," e. g., census records, pas­ religion with a reference guide that will lowing three sections: A. Documents; B. senger lists, etc. The location of these enable them to better understand the ... Photographs; C. Museum Inventory Num­ record types is noted. The second section, social and religious developments in the bers. "In the document list the manuscripts "Record Location," arranged alphabetically Hellenistic world . . . . [T]he focus is on are listed sequentially according to the num­ by name of institution, provides the following persons, groups, movements, events, and bers designated by the editors. Included in information: Facility Director(s); Address; literature that influenced political, social, this list are the photographs which pertain to Phone Numbers; Hours of Operation; Direc­ religious, literary, and philosophical devel­ each document as well as the present loca­ tions; Description of Institution; Description opments in the Hellenistic world" (Preface, tion of the fragments. In the photograph list of Resources. Appendices include a bibliog­ p. ix). The guide is divided into two sec­ the photographs which pertain to these doc­ raphy of Yizkor books, a partial listing of rel­ tions: Greco-Roman history and literature, uments are given according to the inventory evant periodicals in the Brandeis University and Jewish and Christian history and liter­ numbers assigned in the photographic col­ Library collection, a listing of Massachusetts ature. Includes: Bibliography of refer­ lections. The museum inventory number list towns and cities, a list of passenger ships ences; Bibliography of English translations includes a list of the museum plates accord­ entering the port of Boston for the period of Greco-Roman and Jewish and Christian ing to the inventory numbers assigned to the 1891-1903, and a list of manuscript collec­ literature; Index of literature; Index of per­ materials .... The document list is cross-ref­ tions at the American Jewish Historical Soci­ sons. erenced to the other two lists" (p. xxi). The ety. The guide has an index of names of work includes a "List of Card Concordance people, places, and topics. Correlations" in the appendix, a table of abbreviations, and a bibliography.

Judaica Librarianship Vol. 10 No. 1-2 Spring 1999-Winter 2000 63 ,

16. Kantor, Mattis. The Jewish Time Line searching for information about the fate of 23. Jacobs, Louis. The Jewish Religion: A Encyclopedia. New Updated Edition. North­ their relatives and friends. This book identi­ Companion. New York: Oxford University vale, NJ: J. Aronson, 1992. 392 p. ISBN fies the principal sources of information Press, 1995. 641 p. ISBN 0198264631. 0876682298. $29.95. about Holocaust victims and survivors, as $39.95. well as the major repositories in the world A chronological digest of more than 5700 that have this information and how to con­ This book covers only the religious aspects years of Jewish history, from the Biblical tact them. Among the eight appendixes are of Judaism. The main Jewish beliefs, prac­ age to the present. This new edition adds lists of towns with published yizkor (memo­ tices, and personalities are presented in items from 1987 to 1992, the year of the rial) books, libraries with large collections of dictionary form. Brief bibliographies are disbanding of the Soviet Union. Includes an yizkor books, and Holocaust resource cen­ supplied at the end of most entries. At the index of names and places. ters throughout the world. Includes a select­ end of the work is a basic reference list. ed bibliography and an index. History-Europe 24. Telushkin, Joseph. Jewish Wisdom: Internet Ethical, Spiritual, and Historical Lessons 17. Mokotoff, Gary. WOWW Companion: from the Great Works and Thinkers. New A Guide to the Communities Surrounding 20. Romm, Diane. The Jewish Guide to York: W. Morrow, 1994. 663 p. ISBN Central & Eastern European Towns. Tea­ the Internet. Northvale, NJ: J. Aronson, 0688129587. $25. neck, NJ: Avotaynu, 1995. 197 p. ISBN 1996. 225 p. ISBN 1568219148. $24.95. 096263736. $25.95. A compilation of stories, insights and quota­ A guide to exploring Judaica resources on tions from the great Jewish writings of the "The gazetteer Where Once We Walked the internet. Arrangement is alphabetical by past 3500 years, with Rabbi Telushkin's (WOWW) provides information on more some 50 subjects, including Academic Jew­ commentary on how these texts continue to than 21,000 localities in Central and East­ ish studies, Antisemitism, Art, Computers, instruct us today. The chapters are entitled: ern Europe where Jews lived before the Electronic journals, Genealogy, Holocaust, Between People; Personal Issues; Holocaust, including the latitude and longi­ Israel, Libraries, Museums, Students, and Between People and God; Between People tude of the town. Users of WOWW have Women. Within these subject categories, and the World; Modern Jewish Experience; found it useful to know which localities are more than 500 internet sites are listed. The Holocaust; Zionism and Israel. This situated near a particular town. This com­ Includes a list of 375 internet host sites in anthology includes a bibliography and an panion enables the reader both to identify Israel, and an alphabetical index of internet index of names, titles, and subjects. these neighboring towns and, if desired, to resources. create a rough map of the area" (Introduc­ Library science tion, p. iii). (For a review of Where Once We Jewish studies Walked, see JL, v. 7 (no. 1-2) Spring-Win­ 25. Galron-Goldschlager, Joseph. Library ter 1993, p. 114.) 21. Teaching Jewish Civilization: A of Congress Subject Headings in Jewish Global Approach to Higher Education. Studies. 4th ed. New York: Association of Holocaust Edited by Moshe Davis. New York: New Jewish Libraries, 1993. 2 vols. ISBN York University Press, 1995. 375 p. ISBN 0929262352. $32.50. 18. Historical Atlas of the Holocaust. 0814718663. $20. New York: Macmillan / United States Holo­ Based on Library of Congress Subject caust Memorial Museum, 1996. 252 p. The first part of this book consists of essays Headings and its updates on CD-ROM. The ISBN 0028974514. $39.95. on Jewish studies in the university; the dis­ headings are current through LCSH weekly cipline's problems, solutions, and future; list no. 11 (1993). The term "Jewish studies" "This atlas presents in specific detail-coun­ cooperative projects in the field; and the is defined broadly to include Israeli history try by country-the evolution of the Holo­ Israel experience. The second part is the and geography, as well as Near East his­ caust. The sequence of over 230 maps, World Register of University Studies in Jew­ tory. The compilation also lists general top­ including detailed plans for more than 25 ish Civilization; it lists institutions of higher ics, such as Friendship, that may be sub­ concentration and extermination camps, fol­ learning in which Jewish studies are taught. divided by Religious aspects-Judaism. lows the chronology of the Holocaust from The entries for institutions are arranged by 1933 to postwar Europe, 1945-1950. Since continent. Within each continent, country, or Lubavitch-Directory each map comes with detailed textual back­ state, they are in alphabetical order. ground information, the atlas can be regard­ 26. Chabad-Lubavitch Worldwide Direc­ ed as a condensed history of the Holocaust, Judaism tory of Institutions. Brooklyn, NY: Merkos presenting the geographical aspects of the L'lnyonei Chinuch (770 Eastern Parkway, historic events" (Introduction). Includes a 22. Cohn-Sherbok, Lavinia; Cohn-Sher­ Brooklyn, NY 11213), 1994. 196 p. glossary, a bibliography, and a gazetteer. bok, Dan. A Popular Dictionary of Judaism. Also available on CD-ROM. Gt. Britain: Curzon Press, 1995. 199 p. This directory lists more than 2000 organi­ ISBN 0700703667 (hardcover) $45.00; zations and institutions that serve the 19. Mokotoff, Gary. How to Document Vic­ ISBN 0700703578 (paperback) $19.95. everyday social, religious, and educational tims and Locate Survivors of the Holocaust. needs of their communities. It covers the Teaneck, NJ: Avotaynu, 1995. 194 p. ISBN Concise entries on the religious aspects of United States, South America, Europe, 0962637386. $29.45. Judaism. Includes cross references to relat­ North Africa, South Africa, Asia, CIS-the ed subjects. Commonwealth of Independent States (for­ To this day, more than 50 years after the merly the Soviet Union), and Israel. Holocaust, thousands of people are still

64 Judaica Librarianship Vol. 10 No. 1-2 Spring 1999-Winter 2000 Mailing lists Printing-Wilhermsdorf Travel

27. The Complete Guide to Jewish Direct 30. Rosenfeld, Moshe N. Jewish Printing 33. Frank, Ben G. A Travel Guide to Jew­ Mail. 5th ed. Milwaukee, WI: RC Direct in Wilhermsdorf: A Concise Bibliography of ish Europe. 2nd ed. Gretna, LA: Pelican (200 South Water St., Milwaukee, WI Hebrew and Yiddish Publications, Printed Publishing, 1996. 600 p. ISBN 53204; Tel. 1-800-624-9050), 1996. 44 p. in Wilhermsdorf between 1670 and 1739 .. 1565540379. $18.95. . . London: M.N. Rosenfeld (83 Darenth A compilation of more than 90 published Rd., London N16 6EB), 1995. 250, 19 p. A travel guide and source book on Jewish Jewish mailing lists, with chapters on Direct ISBN 0952563401. communities in Europe. In addition to practi­ mail services and Basic list information. cal travel information, the author includes his­ The main part of this booklet is the Directo­ 238 books printed in Wilhermsdorf (Bavaria, torical information and current observations ry of Jewish mailing lists, divided into the Germany) are listed chronologically by date on Jewish communities in Europe. Each following categories: Book/Catalog/Sub­ of publication. Each entry includes a chapter on a country includes history, Jewish scriber lists; Compiled lists of donors; Cul­ description, full bibliographical information, sites, kosher restaurants, synagogues, tural lists; Holocaust/Human rights lists; literature (references to other bibliographical hotels, organizations, museums, memorial Humanitarian/Social welfare lists; works that describe the book), location sites, and suggested readings. Indexed. Israel/Zionism lists; Organizational/ Profes­ (libraries that own the work), and a repro­ sional lists; Political/Social action lists; Reli­ duction of the title page, wherever possible., 34. lsraelowitz, Oscar. The Complete gious/Educational lists; Telemarketing lists; The bibliography includes the following United States Jewish Travel Guide. Brook­ Canadian lists. Includes an index of mailing indexes: names, places, Hebrew titles, per­ lyn, NY: lsraelowitz Publishing (P.O.B. 228, lists, with entries for titles and organiza­ sonnel (typesetters and proof readers), sub­ Brooklyn, NY 11229), 1994. 455 p. ISBN tions. RC Direct sells these mailing lists. jects, books printed on parchment, and a 1878741136. $14.95. bibliographical listing in chronological order, Manuscripts with Romanized titles. At the end are refer­ Arranged alphabetically by state. Subhead­ ences to further reading. ings include Jewish sights; Synagogues; 28. Bodleian Library. Catalogue of the Kosher provisions; Jewish Community Hebrew Manuscripts in the Bodleian Suffering Centers; Mikvehs; and Places of interest. Library: Supplement of Addenda and Corri­ Each of these subheadings is in turn subdi­ genda to Vol. I (A. Neubauer's Catalogue). 31. Aiken, Lisa. Why Me, God? A Jewish vided by city. Includes a bibliography, a list Compiled under the direction of Malachi Guide for Coping with Suffering. Northvale, of tours, and an index of cities. Beit-Arie. Edited by R. A. May. Oxford: NJ: J. Aronson, 1996. 271 p. ISBN Clarendon Press, 1994. 596 cols. ISBN 1568215355. $30. Women 0198173865. $98. Chapters on: The purpose of life; Types of 35. Baskin, Judith R.; Tenenbaum, This Supplement of Addenda and Corrigen­ suffering; Poverty and financial loss; Cop­ Shelly. Gender & Jewish Studies: A Cur­ da "is intended to be consulted side by side ing with the challenges of being single; riculum Guide. New York: ' Biblio Press, with the original Catalogue," compiled by A. Coping with infertility; Understanding and 1994. 163 p. ISBN 0930395190. $12.95. Neubauer (Preface). This work includes an coping with emotional problems; Suicide; introductory essay by Malachi Beit-Arie, Sick and handicapped children; Coping A collection of 30 syllabi and bibliographies entitled: "Methodological and Descriptive with terminal illness; Coping with death; on Jewish women, formulated by scholars Introduction to the Paleographical Identifi­ National suffering and the Holocaust. Each and teachers in Jewish studies and cations," and a concordance of shelfmark chapter has a section listing further read­ designed to be used in college courses. numbers and catalogue numbers of the ings and resources (organizations, with The authors emphasize that since women's manuscripts in the Michael collection. The addresses and telephone numbers). experiences are different from men's, Jew­ body of the work is arranged by the num­ Includes an index. ish history and social science are incom­ bers in the original Neubauer catalogue. It plete without knowledge and understanding also contains the following indexes: I. Talmud of women's lives and perspectives. The Authors and Translators; II. Titles, Anony­ guide has chapters on Bible and Rabbinics; mous Treatises and Subjects; Ill. Scribes, 32. Landesman, Dovid. A Practical Guide General History; Women in Jewish History; Owners and Witnesses; IV. Censors; V. to Torah Learning. Northvale, NJ: J. Aron­ Women and Religion; Literature; Social Sci­ Geographical Names; VI. Dated Manu­ son, 1995. 237 p. ISBN 1568213204. $25. ence; Learning Programs in the Women's scripts; VII. Localized Manuscripts; VIII. Community. Not indexed. Autograph Manuscripts. An introduction to the basic Torah texts, presenting an outline and description of Title Index Museums each work. Arrangement of the guide-Pt. I: Talmudic literature; Pt. II: Halachic litera­ Bibliography of the Septuagint (1970-1993) 29. Council of American Jewish Muse­ ture; Pt. Ill: Rabbinic literature; Pt. IV: 4 ums. Directory, 1995-96. New York: Dynamics of Talmudic dialogue. Appen­ Catalogue of the Hebrew Manuscripts in National Foundation for Jewish dices: Division of the Talmud; Division of the Bodleian Library 28 Culture/CAJM, 1995. 104 p. the Yad ha-Chazakah; Division of Shulchan Chabad-Lubavitch Worldwide Directory of Aruch. (Romanization of Hebrew titles is Institutions 26 A directory of 52 American Jewish muse­ given here as in the original.) Includes a The Complete Guide to Jewish Direct Mail ums, arranged alphabetically by name. glossary, a bibliography, and indexes of 27 Includes a geographic listing that is alpha­ names, works, and subjects. The Complete United States Jewish Travel betical by state. Guide 34

Judaica Librarianship Vol. 10 No. 1-2 Spring 1999-Winter 2000 65 The Dead Sea Scrolls Catalogue 9 The Jewish Time Line Encyclopedia 16 Who's Who in Jewish History After the Peri­ Dictionary of Deities and Demons in the Jewish Wisdom 24 od of the Old Testament 5 Bible 3 Library of Congress Subject Headings in Who's Who of World Religions 6 Directory, 1995-96 (Council of American Jewish Studies 25 Why Me, God? A Jewish Guide for Coping Jewish Museums) 29 Medical and Para-Medical Manuscripts in with Suffering 31 Gender & Jewish Studies: A Curriculum the Cambridge Genizah Collections 7 World JCC Directory 8 Guide 35 The New Jewish Baby Book 2 WOWW Companion 17 A Guide to the Study of Greco-Roman and The New Standard Jewish Encyclopedia Yehuda Amichai 1 Jewish and Christian History and Litera­ 10 ture 15 The Oxford English-Hebrew Dictionary Historical Atlas of the Holocaust 18 13 Dr. Charles Cutter is Head, Judaic Depart­ How to Document Victims and Locate Sur­ A Popular Dictionary of Judaism 22 ment, Brandeis University Libraries. Micha F. vivors of the Holocaust 19 A Practical Guide to Torah Learning 32 Oppenheim is Head, Bibliographic Control, The Jewish Encyclopedia of Moral and Eth- Resources for Jewish Genealogy in the Jewish Theological Seminary of America. ical Issues 11 Boston Area 12 They are coauthors of Judaica Reference The Jewish Guide to the Internet 20 Teaching Jewish Civilization 21 Sources: A Selective, Annotated Bibliograph­ Jewish Printing in Wilhermsdorf 30 The Timetables of Jewish History 14 ic Guide (Juneau: Denali Press, 1993), the The Jewish Religion: A Companion 23 A Travel Guide to Jewish Europe 33 cowinner of the Association of Jewish Libraries 1993 Reference Book Award.

Guidelines for Reviewers

Shimeon Brisman, Editor, APPROBA­ TIONS

Book reviews are expected to include descriptions, evaluations, and critical comments (preferably in this order).

The descriptive part should acquaint the reader sufficiently with both the purpose and contents of the work. Data about the author, or additional information about the work (part of a series, illustrations, etc.), may be included in this part.

The evaluation of the material should consist of an objective examination of the contents, a spot-checking of sources, and summarization of find­ ings (whether the work meets the stat­ ed objectives of the author, whether the work meets scholarly standards, etc.). Critical comments pertaining to the technical aspects of the work (arrangement of material, order of chapters, bibliography, etc.) may be included in this section.

Basic criticism, including the review­ er's opinions and final judgment of the work, should be relegated to the end of the review.

Note to publishers: Monographs are not reviewed in the journal, nor are such books received listed. Judaica publications other than reference books, works of profession­ al interest, and new periodicals should be sent to:

Review Editor Association of Jewish Libraries Newsletter Room 1034 15 East 26th St. New York, NY 10010

66 Judaica Librarianship Vol. 1O No. 1-2 Spring 1999-Winter 2000 ,

The Mendel Gottesman Library is the repository of over 8,000 volumes of rare Hebraica & Judaica and over 1,000 precious rab­ binic & historical manuscripts. In this catalog, full descriptions of 400 manuscripts from this rare collection are made available in print for the first time.

The manuscripts include works on Jewish law, homiletics, ethics, philosophy, mysticism, commentaries on the Bible and Talmud and letters of rabbis. The manuscripts are primarily from the 17th to the 20th centuries and are predominantly German & Polish in origin. This volume is divided into two sections. The main section, in Hebrew by Y. Avivi, consists of an introduction, manuscript descriptions and indices. A corresponding English section contains abridged translations from Mr. Avivi's text.

PUBLISHED BY YESHIVA UNIVERSITY LIBRARY, 1998

Hard cover. Large format. 262 pages in Hebrew, 146 pages in English. One full color plate & 38 in b/w. Price $60.00. Postage extra.

Available from Ideal Book Store. 547 West 110th St., N.Y. 10025 (212) 662-1909;fax (212) 662-1640;e-mail [email protected] Libraries will be billed. Individual orders must be pre-paid.

ALL MAJOR CREDIT CARDS ACCEPTED. U.P.S. shipping

Judaica Librarianship Vol. 10 No. 1-2 Spring 1999-Winter 2000 67