The U-M Center for Judaic Studies has received a lead gift by alumnus David Hermelin and other supporters of the Center in honor of Hermelin’s father, Irving M. Hermelin. The gift will contribute to the endowment of a curatorial position for the Judaica Collection of the University Library.
The Judaica Collection holds more than 37,500 titles in Hebrew and Yiddish alone. Holdings in other languages include another 25,000 volumes. The collection is particularly strong in modern Hebrew literature, the history of Israel, and Biblical studies. Hebrew and Biblical studies have been taught at U-M since the late 19th century; approximately 900 students enroll in Judaic courses annually.
More than 100 items from the collection’s holdings donated by Dachau-survivor Joseph Adler are on display on the 7th floor of the Harlan Hatcher Graduate Library through Nov. 10. The exhibition is open 10 a.m-5 p.m. Monday-Friday and 10 a.m-noon Saturdays.
Adler was arrested by the Gestapo near his home in Dusseldorf and sent to the concentration camp. Through the efforts of his family and friends, he was released after four months. He and his wife and two children then immigrated to the United States. That was 57 years ago. Now he is 100 years old.
The agony of Dachau was forever burnt into his memory, and for the rest of his life, Adler collected Judaica and Holocaust materials so the world would not forget what happened under the Nazis. Photos, letters, stamps and posters issued by and under the National Socialist Party are included in the exhibition.
. . . October 1995