How One Collector Built History's Most Remarkable Jewish Library: David Oppenheim, Rabbi of Prague

"How One Collector Built History's Most Remarkable Jewish Library: David Oppenheim (1664-1736), Chief Rabbi of Prague"
Joshua Teplitsky, History, Stony Brook University

This is the story of one of world’s largest collections of Jewish books, and the man who used his collection to cultivate power, prestige, and political influence. David Oppenheim (1664–1736), chief rabbi of Prague in the early eighteenth century, assembled a remarkable collection of Jewish books that testifies to the myriad connections Jews maintained with each other across political borders. His impressive library functioned as a unique source of personal authority that gained him fame throughout Jewish society and beyond.

Joshua Teplitsky is assistant professor of history at Stony Brook University. He specializes in the history of the Jews in Europe in the early modern period and the study of books and media. He lives in New York City.

This event is sponsored by the Center for Austrian Studies and the Center for Jewish Studies. It is free and open to the public.