Jewish Scholars and Scholarship in 18th Century Metz

Inaugurated in 2008 thanks to a major gift from the family of Ruth Gay, the Ruth Gay Seminar in Jewish Studies was established in honor of Ruth Gay (1922-2006), the noted American Jewish historian and writer. This series is given by scholars who use the YIVO Archives and wish to share their research with the public.

In Fall 2013, the YIVO Institute and the Center for Jewish History presented an exhibition, a conference and four public programs that explored the Jewish community in Metz, France in the 18th and 19th centuries. These programs were inspired by the Pinkas (Register) of the Metz Rabbinic Court, a rare and little-known document from the collections of the YIVO Archives.

The exhibition and program series were made possible by the generous support of The David Berg Foundation, The Selz Foundation, and Emil Kleinhaus.

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Rabbi Moshe Arye Bamberger, the Head of the Bet Din of the Jewish community of Metz, France presented a seminar on a new publication, Torat Chachmei Metz, or The Torah of the Scholars of Metz, which is based on an original manuscript in the YIVO Archives. This manuscript includes original interpretations and teachings of several important figures in 18th century Metz, such as Rabbi Yonasan Eybeschutz, Rabbi Arye Leib Ginzberg (the head of the Bet Din of Metz from 1765-1785), Rabbi Shmuel Hillman and others. Rabbi Bamberger's presentation included an overview of the scholars of Metz represented in this new book, within the context of the history of this important Jewish community during the early modern period.

Rabbi Shmuel Klein A research scholar and archivist, Rabbi Shmuel Klein specializes in medieval rabbinic bibliographical studies and has worked on a number of publication and research projects associated with manuscripts of the Cairo Genizah. Rabbi Klein is currently working on the Sutzkever Kaczerginski Collection of Historical and Literary Manuscripts which are held in the YIVO Archives.