D O C U M E N T 2 8 0 J U L Y 1 9 2 4 2 6 7
In organizing this university library we lack Hebrew books, which we definitely
need because Hebrew and Oriental studies evidently must be at the center of this
university. In Russia, by contrast, such books are available in great abundance, par-
ticularly in Leningrad, held by private persons and as duplicate
copies.[3]
All these
books, and especially those in the hands of private persons, offer little or no use at
all to the general public, whereas they are indispensable for our purposes. Added
to that, they are very copiously available in Russia.
My request now is to allow our society to send a person commissioned by it to
Leningrad for a short time, of about 2 weeks up to one month, with the express pur-
pose of purchasing Hebrew, and to a lesser extent, Yiddish books in Leningrad,
namely, duplicate copies from various organizational libraries, as well as from the
personal property of private individuals.
As I have learned, permission has just recently been granted to purchase Slavic
books in Leningrad and in Russia generally, in a similar manner, for American li-
braries.
We only need Jewish books and journals, those having either exclusively Jewish
content or at least manifesting strong connections with Judaism, specifically also
in the Russian language. And very numerous copies of such works exist in the
hands of private persons.
Considering your great interest in all cultural affairs, highly esteemed colleague,
I hope not to have submitted a futile request.
I send my compliments in anticipation of your prompt, valued reply, in expres-
sion of my utmost respect.