February 26, 2004

Inaugural Year of Learning and Celebration Event
Held in Columbus, Ohio

Jerome Schottenstein

Jerome Schottenstein: A Name That Speaks Volumes

Even the legendary Columbus philanthropist and founder of Value City Stores, the late Jerome Schottenstein, could not have foreseen the global impact of one of his favorite ventures. When he was presented with the idea of backing the publication of a 73-volume English language Talmud, he felt sure that the benefits of such an undertaking would justify the investment. The Talmud illuminates all aspects of Jewish texts, including the Bible, serving as the blueprint for Jewish life in both the individual and communal sense. The fact that it is written in ancient Aramaic, with Hebrew commentaries, locked out the vast majority of American Jews from studying its contents.

The Talmud edition proposed to Jerome Schottenstein promised to do far more than just translate the ancient Aramaic words into modern English; it would also explain the meaning of the text and commentaries that are the essence of Talmudic study. Such an undertaking had the potential for dramatic results, he felt, and could pave the way for a renaissance of Judaic study to a broad range of American Jews. His decision to back the publication was made after a discerning evaluation that ArtScroll/Mesorah Publications, the Brooklyn-based Judaica publishers, would have the expertise and determination to carry the project through to completion.

Schottenstein passed away only a few years after the initiation of the monumental project, seeing only the first four volumes reach publication. His commitment was entrusted to his wife, Geraldine, and his beloved children, Jay (Jeanie), Ann (Ari), Susie (Jon) and Lori. Over the next decade, the Jerome Schottenstein family enthusiastically supported the Mesorah Heritage Foundation, the organization that developed a team of 80 outstanding scholars, writers and editors dedicated to translating Jewish classics — including the Talmud — into contemporary languages.

Fourteen years and 65 volumes later, it is clear that Jerome Schottenstein’s confidence was well founded. Today, the Schottenstein name is famous for opening the wisdom of the Talmud to hundreds of thousands of English-speaking Jews worldwide, from the major centers of Jewish life to the smallest outposts. ArtScroll/Mesorah is poised for completion of the entire set on schedule — and a gala convocation will be held in March 2005, when the last of the 73 volumes will roll off the press.

This achievement is so historic that celebrations are planned across the USA for a full year, culminating in the March 2005 event. The Mesorah Heritage Foundation has called for a “Year of Learning and Celebration” to highlight the critical place of Torah study in today’s modern world. It is sponsoring community events that will educate the public about the Talmud and the role of the Schottenstein Edition of the Talmud in enabling today’s Jews to understand their heritage.

Rabbi Nosson Scherman, General Editor of ArtScroll/Mesorah Publications, characterized the Talmud as “the seminal work of Judaism, its intellectual and legal source. The vast work known as the Talmud contains the Oral Law comprised of the Mishnah and Gemara. Its function is to clarify the cryptic Written Law [The Five Books of Moses] of the Torah in much the same way that the US Supreme Court issues thousands of pages of opinions defining the meaning of the Constitution.”

Rabbi Meir Zlotowitz, chairman of the Mesorah Heritage Foundation, explained that the painstaking work of translating and elucidating the Talmud is well worth the effort: “This work builds a bridge,” he asserted. “Now the present generation can connect with thousands of years of Jewish life and savor the experience of delving into Torah study just as millions of Jews have done in every previous generation.”

Breaking the language barrier that barred so many Jews from learning the Talmud is certainly worthy of celebration. And what better place to launch a year of celebration than in Columbus, the home of the Schottenstein family? Thanks to the Schottenstein, Deshe and Diamond families, the inaugural Mesorah Heritage Community Event took place at the Columbus Jewish Community Center on February 26th. The date was a significant one; it is the yahrzeit of Jerome Schottenstein, the man who earned a place in Jewish history through his extraordinary foresight and generosity.

At the Community Event, a commemoration was held to honor his legacy, and an inspiring program celebrated the projected completion of the Schottenstein Talmud and its meaning for all Jews. Stated Jay Schottenstein, “Our families are gratified by the worldwide renown of this significant work. We know our father would be very proud of the tremendous impact the Schottenstein Talmud has had on world Jewry. It is with great pleasure that we begin the community-wide celebration of the completion of the Talmud in our home town, Columbus.”