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PRESERVING THE HERITAGE... ONE BOOK AT A TIME
DINNER 2012              DONATE DESK DIARY CONTACT US
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    Imagine that you are standing in front of a vault filled with gold, silver, and precious stones. They are yours for the taking.
     But the vault is locked and you don't know the combination!
    If you have no access to all that wealth, it might as well be on another planet. How much would you give to unlock it?
    There is a treasure far more valuable than the contents of any safe, but it has been locked away from millions of Jews. That treasure is our Jewish literary heritage: the Torah, the Talmud, the Mishnah, the Siddur and Machzor, our history, the stories and values that connect us to our past and lay the foundations of our future.
    This incredible wealth of spiritual, intellectual, ethical, religious, historical, legal, and moral texts is the bedrock, the inspiration, of Western civilization.
    But most of this wealth is in ancient Hebrew and Aramaic, and presented in literary styles and with complex reasoning that are incomprehensible to most modern readers. Our authentic Jewish heritage has been locked away from English-speaking Jews for too long.
    This fact was sadly true for centuries - until thirty-one years ago.
    The Mesorah Heritage Foundation was created to "unlock the vault." Our goal is to remove the language barrier and make the riches of Jewish eternity available to English-speaking Jews. Here is what we do:

  • Sponsor literature that celebrates the rich Jewish heritage
  • Create works of intensive scholarship and unexcelled beauty
  • Produce books that will be read, studied, and cherished for generations

    • How does the Foundation do it?
    The Mesorah Heritage Foundation recruits accomplished translators, scholars, writers, and editors who free our great texts from the captivity of ancient languages and bring them to English-speaking Jews in books that are beautifully produced and literarily graceful. At this writing, more than a hundred scholars in America, Israel, and Europe are producing an English-language Torah literature that will endure for generations.

    What have we accomplished so far?

  • The English-language edition of the Schottenstein Edition of the Babylonian Talmud is now complete! This monumental 73-volume work, fifteen years in the making is universally acknowledged as, in the words of Lord Immanuel Jakobovits a"h, the late Chief Rabbi of the British Commonwealth, "one of the most momentous publishing efforts gracing the entire length of Jewish History." A Hebrew Schottenstein Edition of the Babylonian Talmud is more than two thirds of the way to completion.
    Taken together, these two editions have "enrolled" many tens of thousands of people in Talmud study every day. In offices, homes, synagogues, commuter trains, on airliners - everywhere, throughout the world - volumes of the Schottenstein Talmud are proving that Jews thirst for Torah, and these editions are quenching it.
    Compiled about 1650 years ago, the Jerusalem Talmud has long been the most neglected of our great classics. Never elucidated in the vernacular, very complex and difficult, it has been closed to all but exceptional scholars. The new Schottenstein Editions of the Jerusalem Talmud, in English and Hebrew, are opening eyes and minds to this treasure. All this has been made possible thanks to the vision and generosity of the Schottenstein family of Columbus, Ohio, and more than 200 patrons who have dedicated volumes in these historic projects.
  • Now, the Talmud is being published in French, The Safra Edition, in a new and truly historic venture to bring our Torah heritage to thousands of French-speaking Jews worldwide.
  • The new Schottenstein Interlinear Series presents siddurim and other prayer materials with the translation directly under the Hebrew words, in addition to a commentary. An ingenious, patented format helps readers view the Hebrew and English texts simultaneously. The Kinnos / Tishah B'av Service is the newest addition to this trailblazing series.
    More than ever before, this series enables the reader to understand every word as he prays and studies.
    The series began with the Siddur and Machzor. So enormously popular were they that many works were provided in this new format, including the recently published Interlinear Chumash.
  • The Stone Edition of the Chumash has become the Chumash of choice throughout the English-speaking world. This new translation of the Five Books of Moses and its flowing, inspiring commentary speak to today's Jews. It is sparking renewed interest in the Torah as it has been studied for thousands of years.
    Now in progress is a contemporary Hebrew edition to benefit Israelis who appreciate its readability and extensive elucidation.
  • The Edmond J. Safra Edition of the Chumash, with translation and commentary in French, is now well under way.
  • The Sapirstein Edition of Rashi shines new light on the premier commentary on the Torah. Acclaimed by scholars and students, this edition is the most popular phrase-by-phrase elucidation of its kind.
  • Ramban on Chumash
    This seminal, classic commentary belongs on the study list of anyone who is serious about understanding the Torah. ArtScroll's new 7-volume treatment, which has quickly been acknowledged as a classic, makes this work accessible to all.
  • The David Edition Baal Haturim Chumash is a much-admired but insufficiently understood early classic on Chumash. In the ArtScroll Edition — thoroughly researched and annotated — this great work comes to life.
  • The Stone Edition of Tanach is a one-volume translation, with an annotated commentary, of all twenty-four Books of the Bible.
  • The Rubin Edition of the Prophets is doing for the Books of the Prophets what the Stone Edition is doing for the Chumash. The commentary sheds light on the framework of our history. The Books of Joshua, Judges, Samuel and Kings are in print.
  • Most books of the Later Prophets and the Writings are available with clear translations and illuminating commentaries.
  • The Wasserman Edition of the ArtScroll Siddur
    Since it was published in 1984, the ArtScroll Siddur has become the standard prayer book in countless communities. Now it has been published in a new edition, dedicated by Stanley and Ellen Wasserman, with larger type, a new Overview, a newly edited translation, and many new features, including the laws and customs relating to the Land of Israel.
    The original classic ArtScroll Siddur, dedicated by Joseph and Lea Berliner, will continue to enlighten and inspire new generations. The names Berliner and Wasserman will always be joined in the annals of those who raised prayer to a new plateau.
  • The ArtScroll Mishnah Series with the Yad Avraham commentary translates and explains the Mishnah with unparalleled clarity. The series is scheduled for completion in the fall, and a pocket-sized slipcased edition is available as well.
  • The ArtScroll Siddur and Machzor Series has become standard in home and synagogue due to its clear translations, inspirational and informative commentaries, and user-friendly instructions. These siddurim and machzorim have become indispensable to experienced users and beginners alike. That is why a Russian edition and the Fischmann Edition Spanish Siddur were published.
  • The Seif Edition Transliterated Series rolls out a welcome mat to people with difficulty reading Hebrew. The siddurim, machzorim, Tehillim/Psalms and Haggadah in this series have enabled those who are not yet familiar with Hebrew to pray using the original text.
  • The Foundation sponsors a host of other projects, including works of practical Halachah, Torah commentary, and even High School literature textbooks that teach literature, analytical reading and writing skills on the highest level, while incorporating the values and morals that are increasingly absent from many modern textbooks.
  • The Kleinman Edition of Limud Yomi - A Daily Dose of Torah
    This revolutionary new English-language learning program, dedicated by Elly and Brochie Kleinman, provides a systematic, daily regimen presenting core areas of Torah study. Each volume provides four weeks of stimulating study. In only 18 minutes a day, the reader gets an insight on the weekly Torah reading, a Mishnah, an adaptation from the Talmud, a Mussar thought, a halachah, and a study in a section of the Siddur. Limud Yomi provides an inspirational boost to anyone's day
  • The Kleinman Mishkan Interactive DVD
    More than four parshiyos in the Torah are devoted to the construction of the Tabernacle/Mishkan. Thanks to modern technology, this new Interactive DVD enables us to "build" a virtual Mishkan. This DVD visually depicts and explains the Torah, verse by verse, item by item, vessel by vessel, and includes an audio explanation of the verses by a master teacher. We see all the components, move them around, put them together, and thoroughly understand the Chumash and Rashi. Produced by our scholars in conjunction with artists who create virtual models for NASA and the Air Force, this is an unprecedentedly effective and fascinating teaching and learning tool. A full-color, deluxe, coffee-table volume on the Mishkan is in progress


    • What's next? Major new projects are in progress:
  • The Schottenstein Edition of the Jerusalem Talmud in English and Hebrew
    For centuries, this basic text has been a closed book. Now, in a projected 49-volume set, the world-class scholars who produced the renowned Schottenstein Edition of the Babylonian Talmud are bringing the Talmud of the Land of Israel to world Jewry in English and Hebrew. Dedicated by the support of Jay and Jeanie Schottenstein and with the support of generous patrons, our staff is opening the door to one of Judaism's great treasures.
  • The Kleinman Edition of Kitzur Shulchan Aruch
     Familiarly known as The Kitzur, this authoritative digest of the entire corpus of the Code of Laws, first published in 1864, has been reprinted scores of times and virtually every Jewish household has owned a copy. The Foundation's scholars are now engaged in making it more useful and contemporary than ever.

    It is being translated and elucidated in the style of the now-classic Schottenstein Talmud, complete with a commentary that not only explains the Kitzur, but also cites the areas where the Mishnah Berurah and Rabbi Moshe Feinstein (in Igros Moshe) differ with or expand upon the Kitzur. This trailblazing 5-volume work, dedicated by Elly and Brochi Kleinman, is bringing a cassic halachic work to new generations of readers and scholars.
  • The Kleinman Edition Midrash Rabbah
    Midrash Rabbah is the sourcebook of Torah commentary, stories, ethical illumination, and insightful interpretation of the great figures and events of the Chumash. Work is now in full swing on a 15-volume treatment of the Midrash. The elucidation follows the pattern of the Schottenstin editions of the Talmud, and it will be augmented by interpretaions from classic works of Chassidus and Mussar.

    • Why the need for a Foundation to do this?
    The amount of research and intensive review necessary to produce such a voluminous literature cannot be supported by the commercial market. Look at the most important secular cultural undertakings: great universities, libraries, orchestras, even medical research - all must have substantial public and private support. The production of a great Torah literature is no different. Without generous public participation, it cannot be created.

    What can you do to help this work go on?
    Everyone can be a part of this monumental undertaking. People of vision and means can do more. Virtually everyone can contribute something. There are many alternatives:
  • Dedicate a volume in honor or memory of a loved one. All dedications are in perpetuity. Talmud dedications are mentioned in every single volume, so your dedication may appear in millions of volumes over the years. The same applies to the Mishnah and all other volumes.
  • If you can't undertake a dedication on your own, you may wish to join family and friends in doing so.
  • Be acknowledged in an individual volume.
  • Be a contributor so that Jews from Jerusalem to Johannesburg, from Moscow to Melbourne, from London to Los Angeles will benefit from your generosity for generations.

    Look at it this way:
    Whatever your means, you can be a partner in projects that have been acclaimed by great scholars and leaders throughout the world as "the greatest English-language Torah dissemination undertaking in history." Your help will bring Torah literacy to countless Jews.

    Your contribution is tax-deductible
    The Mesorah Heritage Foundation is an IRS-recognized, not-for-profit 501 (c) (3) trust. Every contribution is tax-deductible to the full extent permitted by law. And every dollar goes to support the work of bringing Torah to all of the People of the Book.
    Join the Mesorah Heritage Foundation in making Jewish history. Help us bring pride to our people and inspiration to future generations by supporting the scholars who are returning the legacy of our past to the builders of our future.

     To send your generous contribution, for further information about the Foundation and its activities, or to request a catalogue including the Artscroll volumes sponsored by the Foundation, please write or call:
    4401 SECOND AVENUE / BROOKLYN, N.Y. 11232
    Phone: 718 / 921-9000 Fax: 718 / 680-1875
    email: heritage@mesorahheritage.org
    web: www.MesorahHeritage.org

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    Mesorah Heritage Foundation is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization.

    Copyright 2007 Mesorah Heritage Foundation