Michelle Margolis

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.

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.