Brite acquires Jewish library
By Marci King
Staff Reporter

A newly-acquired Jewish library collection should help the Brite Divinity School gain national prominence and expand its young Jewish Studies Program and, said Brite President Leo Perdue.

The library was part of the personal collection of the late Rabbi Israel Otto Lehman of Cincinnati and is estimated to contain 8,000 to 10,000 items. Funding for the project was provided by the Jack B. Friedman Judaica Library Collection.

Erin Munger/SKIFF STAFF Jewish books have been added to the Brite Divinity School library through the Jack B. Friedman Judaica Library Collection. The collection is estimated to contain 8,000 to 10,000.

Among the rare holdings found in the collection are early printed prayer books and Bibles, a Persian Torah scroll container, liturgical scrolls and Kabalistic handwritten scrolls, according to a press release.

W. David Nelson, Rosenthal assistant professor of Jewish Studies at Brite, said the core of the collection contains pieces that date from the early 16th century through the late 18th century.

The acquisition of the library is the third step in Brite’s Jewish Studies Program. In 1998 the program implemented its community outreach aspect with the first annual Gates of Chai lecture. The second phase of teaching and research was completed with the naming of two distinguished faculty for the program.

Nelson was named one of Brite’s distinguished faculty members and joined TCU this September. Nelson said the library will be an invaluable contribution to the program.

“It contains everything from antiquities to present items that can aid professors while teaching.”

Chris Stillwell, a worship intern for University Ministries, says the addition of the library will help to enhance the diversity of the religion department.

“This library will help students delve into the religion because of the wide extent of information in the library,” Stillwell said.

Stillwell said he thinks the library will help TCU compete with other schools on a national level. He said the collection will help to educate people about different religions.

Shelli McWorter, a freshman religion major, said she hopes the library will help the students already involved in Brite.

“If people take advantage of the opportunity given to them, and use the library, everyone will benefit,” McWhorter said.

The collection is currently being stored in off-campus warehouses but will permanently be housed in the Brite reading room in the Mary Couts Burnett Library.

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