Seforimchatter The Early Jewish Printed Book: Episode 4 - Epilogue (with Michelle Margolis)
Jan 6, 2026
Michelle Margolis, a librarian and expert in Jewish books and digital humanities, joins to explore the rich history of Hebrew printing. She discusses the transformative impact of the printing press, drawing parallels to modern technology like the internet. Key topics include the legacy of the Vilna Press, innovations in distribution, and the importance of preserving quality in 19th-century books. Margolis also emphasizes the role of digital platforms in reshaping text access and the challenges of relying on ephemeral online resources.
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Printing As A World-Shaping Technology
- The printing press reshaped religion, learning, and what became the standard Jewish textual canon.
- Modern digital changes are often compared to Gutenberg because both reorganize access, authority, and practice.
Discovery Of Rom Press Archives
- Maty Zalkin's archival work revealed detailed business records about the Rom press in Vilna.
- Devorah Almana took control, invested in machinery, and scaled the press into a city-block operation.
Almana Made Vilna A Printing Hub
- Devorah Almana strategically secured operational control and trained staff on cutting-edge German presses.
- Her press became the practical training hub for printers across Vilnius, centralizing technical knowledge.
