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Elliot H. Gertel

Area Programs

Irving M. Hermelin Curator of Judaica

Contact Details
Office: 111-J Hatcher North
Phone: (734) 936-2367
FAX: (734) 763-6743
E-mail: egertel@umich.edu
Judaica Web Resources

Subject Specialist Role
As the Library's selector for materials on Judaica, I acquire books, serials, microforms, electronic products, etc. in Hebrew, Yiddish, English, other Western, and all other appropriate languages, in support of the research and instructional needs of faculty and students affiliated with the Frankel Center for Judaic Studies, Center for Middle Eastern and North African Studies, Program on Studies in Religion, in the Department of Near Eastern Studies, interested faculty and students in the Departments of History, Political Science, and English Language and Literature. As the subject specialist for this area, I perform the following functions:

Other Library colleagues with related expertise include:

Other Responsibilities
In addition to serving as selector of Judaic materials, I set priorities for cataloging, processing, preservation, and restoration of materials in this discipline; plan and coordinate University Library exhibits and programs related to Judaic topics; and participate in Library development activities through University and community outreach programs for the purpose of creating greater awareness of the Judaica collections and strengthening links with current and potential friends and donors.

Background
My educational background includes an M.Phil. in Modern Jewish Studies from Oxford University with a subject focus on Yiddish Language and Literature, Modern Jewish History, and Hebrew Literature; an MSLS from the University of Kentucky; and a BA in French, Theater, and Writing from Marlboro College. Prior to taking up this appointment at the University of Michigan Library in the Spring of 1999, I was Judaica Librarian at Florida Atlantic University for three years and Reference Librarian/Bibliographer for Religious Studies at California State University, Fullerton for five years. Research and professional interests include Yiddish Language and Literature, Modern Jewish History, and Languages in Conflict. I am the Past Chair and Program Chair of the Jewish Information Committee of the American Library Association and Past Chair of the ALA Ethnic and Multicultural Information Exchange Round Table Liaisons Committee of the Association of Jewish Libraries and have extensive experience coordinating professional library programs.

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Updated 9/99