Ismar Elbogen

Elbogen was a major contributor to the studies of Jewish history, literature and biblical exegesis. Reflecting the change in the focus of the Wissenschaft des Judentums, Elbogen encouraged the study of such new sub-fields as Jewish art, music, and sociology. He took part in writing the liberal prayer book for German Jews, and served as editor of Devir as well as several encyclopedias, including work on the two German Jewish editions featured in this exhibition. Original items from the I. Edward Kiev Judaica Collection include a thirteen-page letter concerning the Book of Job, as well as personal correspondence addressed to Ismar Elbogen while in Berlin. Of note is a two-page letter in the back, dated January 24, 1927, from Hungarian-born George Alexander Kohut, a bibliophile and philanthropist who devoted his life to Jewish education and cultural causes in New York City. His greatest contribution was the Alexander Kohut Memorial Foundation, in honor of his esteemed father. I. Edward Kiev was a trustee of this Foundation that encouraged Jewish scholarship.