‘As perfect, as if cast in gold’

Aspects of manuscript culture and Hebrew printing in Amsterdam in the 17th century
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This presentation will take you on a tour through the beautiful manuscripts and printed books held in Amsterdam’s Ets Haim library.
At the end of the 16th century, the first conversos from the Iberian Peninsula arrived in Amsterdam. Their desire to connect to the Jewish tradition was strong and developing a Jewish identity was essential. As well as building a synagogue, in 1616 a school and a library were established. Over time, both were called Ets Haim.
The congregational school committed many books to be printed by the school. These survive in the Ets Haim library collection. Not only do those books shed light on the history of the Jews that came to Amsterdam, but they also provide an interesting insight into printing and manuscript culture in Amsterdam. How did Hebrew printing in Amsterdam begin? What challenges did the printers face? What was the power of the written word? Why were still so many manuscripts produced in the 17th century?
Heide Warncke was born in Hamburg and studied Semitic Languages at the University of Amsterdam. In 2012 she started working at the library Ets Haim - Livraria Montezinos in Amsterdam and was appointed Curator of Ets Haim in 2016. Heide is currently writing a dissertation with the title: ‘The Amsterdam Hebrew Printing industry and the impact of intellectual, economic and religious developments on Hebrew printing’.
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