Michelle Margolis

Michelle Margolis, the Norman E. Alexander Librarian for Jewish Studies at Columbia University, shares her expertise on early Hebrew printing. She delves into the fascinating mechanics of movable type and Gutenberg's significant role in transforming Jewish learning. Margolis discusses how early printing shaped community needs and its cultural impact, exploring the origins of Hebrew presses in Rome and the priorities of commentaries in print. The conversation also highlights connections between those fleeing the Inquisition and the spread of Hebrew works in the Ottoman world.