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partial image scan of handwritten letter dated February 24 1940

Kirschner brothers donate Holocaust-era, immigration correspondence to Libraries

1/24/18

The Kirschner Family Holocaust-Era Letter Collection, a recent gift to Penn State University Libraries’ Eberly Family Special Collections Library, is a rare and important primary source collection documenting several aspects of early 20th-century life. Its multiple sets of correspondence include a multi-generational account of Russian childhood friends’ immigration to and lives across the Western Hemisphere, as well as several appeals for European Jews’ assistance for asylum.

Aaron Rubin (Guggenheim Fellow)

Liberal Arts' Aaron Rubin named Guggenheim Fellow

4/11/16

Aaron Rubin, Malvin E. and Lea P. Bank Professor of Jewish Studies, Classics and Ancient Mediterranean Studies, and Linguistics at Penn State, has been named a 2016 Fellow by the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation.

Penn State Hillel historical

Research reconnects students with their roots

4/8/16

Eliyana Adler, associate professor of history and Jewish studies at Penn State, offered her spring 2016 Jewish history students the chance to conduct original research on Pennsylvania Jewish landmarks over spring break.

Aaron Rubin

Rubin co-edits first reference on ancient and modern Jewish languages

2/16/16

The "Handbook of Jewish Languages," a publication co-edited by Aaron Rubin, the Malvin E. and Lea P. Bank Professor of Jewish Studies, Classics and Ancient Mediterranean Studies, and Linguistics at Penn State, is the first reference to be published on ancient and modern Jewish languages.

Daniel Falk

April 16 Research Unplugged to focus on Dead Sea Scrolls

4/13/15

Daniel Falk, professor of classics and ancient Mediterranean studies and Chaiken Family Chair in Jewish studies, will present "Excavating the Bible: What the Dead Sea Scrolls Reveal About Biblical Stories" at 12:30 p.m. Thursday, April 16, at Schlow Centre Region Library as part of the Research Unplugged lecture series.

Daniel Falk

Dead Sea Scrolls scholar to give inaugural Chaiken Family Chair lecture

10/23/14

Daniel K. Falk, professor of classics and ancient Mediterranean studies and the holder of the Chaiken Family Chair in Jewish Studies at Penn State, will speak on “The Myth of the Dead Sea Scrolls: Forget the 'Da Vinci Code.' What were the secrets guarded by ancient Essenes, on pain of eternal damnation?” at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 13 in the Foster Auditorium, 102 Paterno Library. The lecture is free and open to the public.

Probing Question: Is Jewish life thriving on American campuses?

8/23/11

These days, college-bound students can get the “inside scoop” about schools from countless Web sites and guidebooks. Looking for a place with lots of outdoor adventure programs? One with the most active Greek life? Or perhaps one with vegan and gluten-free dining options? Options and opinions abound.

Probing Question: Was Christopher Columbus Jewish?

11/16/10

Five centuries after his death, Christopher Columbus remains a mysterious and controversial figure. Italy, Spain, Portugal and Greece all claim the celebrated navigator and explorer as one of their own, yet there are few accurate records pertaining to Columbus' personal life and identity. Years of speculation suggest that most stories about him are probably based on legend. However, one theory seems particularly persistent: For many years, it has been rumored that Christopher Columbus was Jewish or of Jewish descent.

Probing Question: How can you spot a forgery?

9/21/09

History is checkered with stories of fakes—and people duped into believing they were the real thing.

Even an artist as great as Michelangelo was not above being accused of forgery. As the story goes, in 1496 the sculptor created a sleeping cupid figure, treated it to appear ancient, then sold it as such to a Cardinal who—upon learning of the fraud—demanded a refund. The mystery over the still-lost cupid is credited with drawing attention for the first time to Michelangelo's sculpting work.

Probing Question: Is the Ark of the Covenant real?

9/21/09

When you hear the words "Ark of the Covenant" what comes to mind? For some, Steven Spielberg's film Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark, provides the most vivid pop-culture reference to this mysterious sacred object.

The quest to find the real Ark has inspired generations of adventurers and Hollywood directors, but the trail has always gone cold.

Is the Ark of the Covenant real?

College to honor Doris and Kurt Moses April 30

4/28/09

For their lifelong dedication to Holocaust education and Jewish studies, Penn State Harrisburg is honoring Harrisburg residents Doris and Kurt Moses at a tribute dinner April 30 at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Harrisburg.

Scholar to deliver lecture on Jewish contributions to Swedish identity

1/26/09

Michelle Facos, associate professor of the history of art at Indiana University, will present a lecture on "Jewish Contributions to the Promotion of Swedish National Identity, circa 1900," at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 5 in 124 Sparks Building on Penn State's University Park campus.

'The New Bibliopolis,' by Willa Silverman, reviewed

8/18/08

From the papyrus scrolls of ancient Egypt to the illuminated manuscripts of the Middle Ages to the mid-fifteenth century invention of the printing press, people have long endeavored to improve book production techniques and make text more portable, durable and affordable.