Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Synagogues in Hungary: A Conversation with Rudolf Klein

Synagogues in Hungary: A Conversation with Rudolf Klein

Two of my colleagues will be teaming up in conversation on Tuesday, October 25th, to discuss the synagogues of Hungary. They are celebration the publication of Rudolf Klein’s massive new book on Hungarian synagogues which is being presented in New York next week. Gavriel Rosenfeld, who was my host at Fairfield University last spring, and with whom I will be presenting at the upcoming Association of Jewish Studies meetings in December, will “interview” Klein. Both are extremely knowledgeable and good talkers, so it should be lively, interesting and informative evening.

Tuesday, October 25, 6:30 pm

Center for Jewish History

15 West 16th Street New York, New York 10011 • Tel: 212.294.8301

Admission: $10 general; $5 CJH members, seniors, students

The book, which I still have not seen in its entirety, is massive - and in Hungarian, but it is packed with hundreds of photos with extensive English captions, and an impressive English "summary" that in itself is almost book length. This work is more than a book about synagogues - it is also about Jewish settlement and activity, and even what it has meant - religiously, culturally, symbolically and physically to be Jewish at different times in Hungary's history. The geographic reach is also greater than Hungary's present-day borders, including much territory once part of the Austro-Hungary.

One aim of Rudi's visit to the United States is to find support for a full translation and the publication of an American edition.

Readers with ideas - or funding suggestions - can contact me.

No comments: