The University of Pennsylvania Jewish Studies Program, in conjunction with the Center for Advanced Judaic Studies and the University of Pennsylvania Library, are planning to hold a workshop in medieval Hebrew codicology and paleography in October of 2000. The proposed workshop will be led by Professor Malachi Beit-Arie, Professor of Codicology and Paleography at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and a world-renowned authority on the subject. Prof. Beit-Arie will select original manuscript sources, including genizah fragments and illuminated medieval Hebrew manuscripts, from the Center for Judaic Studies Library at the University of Pennsylvania, as the basis for his workshop.

The two-day program will provide an overview of the field of Hebrew Codicology in cross-cultural and comparative perspective and of the methods of localizing and dating Hebrew manuscripts. The primary focus will be on technical aspects of writing materials and their typological significance, on the formation of a codex, including features like quiring and ruling, as well as on the ways that scribal layout devices shape the page. The paleographical segment will cover how to differentiate handwriting types and individual elements within stereotype handwritings.

The workshop is open to advanced graduate students, faculty, scholars and professionals in the field of Jewish and related studies. Limited travel and housing scholarships may be available. If you are interested in attending the proposed workshop, please contact Ms. Christine Walsh at the address below.