Mendele: Yiddish literature and language ______________________________________________________ Contents of Vol. 3.058 July 12, 1993 1) Peretz Miranski (Ana and Hal Berman) 2) Amnon Zipin z"l (David Neal Miller) 1)---------------------------------------------------- Date: Sun Jul 11 16:39:55 1993 From: BERMAN E-MAIL Subject: Peretz Miranski Yesterday, July 10, 1993, one of the last remaining Yiddish writers who belonged to the "Yung Vilne" group of writers passed away. Peretz Miranski had been ill for the last two years. He was a poet and a writer of fables who was well known all over the world in literary circles. Miranski published five Yiddish books and among his awards were the I.J. Segal prize for Yiddish Literature (twice) and the Itzik Manger prize in Israel. He was involved in Yiddish cultural activities in Toronto and was a great source of information and help to the younger Yiddish generation in this city. He was particularly close to the Toronto group "Fraynd Fun Yiddish", and was well respected by all who knew him. He will be greatly missed by all. Ana and Hal Berman 2)---------------------------------------------------- Date: Mon Jul 12 12:56:05 1993 From: David Neal Miller Subject: Amnon Zipin z"l Happily, necrologies have not been the staple on MENDELE that they have become in much of Ashkenaz. Unhappily, it is my duty to share with fellow Mendele readers news of the death of Amnon Zipin, late Judaic Librarian at The Ohio State University. The appended necrology, distributed by Ohio State's University Library and posted with their permission, gives most of the pertinent facts. To these I would recall Amnon's spirited defense of Yiddish in the face of our Melton Center director's embarrassed antipathy, his attempts to build bridges between the bibliographical and interpretive scolarly communities, his tenacious khutspe cloaked in a mantle of grace and good humor. We shall miss him. -- In Memoriam AMNON ZIPIN April 10, 1946-June 16, 1993 Amnon was the quintessential research library bibliographer--evaluated by many as one of the few scholar-librarians in the United States with the invaluable combined knowledge of Hebrew, Yiddish, Arabic, Latin, and English, coupled with unsurpassed expertise in the bibliography of Jewish Studies. He was the principal architect of the Ohio State University Libraries' Jewish Studies collection, drawing on his extensive knowledge of the literature of the field and the related publishing/bookseller enterprises. Born in Haifa, Israel, he studied at the University of Haifa, 1967-68. After receiving his B.A. in 1970 from Hebrew University, Jerusalem, with a major in Arabic history, he came to the United States to study at Yale University where, in 1972, he received his M.A. in medieval history. While working at the Yale University Library as a language and subject specialist, Amnon earned his MLS degree in 1975 from Southern Connecticut State College. He then served as the Near East librarian (1976-77) of Washington University, Seattle. A member of the faculty at Ohio State since 1977, Amnon was promoted to assistant professor in 1983, tenured in 1984, and promoted to associate professor in 1988. There is no question that he would have attained full rank were it not for his illness. A born teacher and a very active participant in bibliographic instruction, he lectured regularly in Hebrew 241 (Culture of Contemporary Israel) and Yiddish 341 (Yiddish Culture). Additionally, he taught in the Libraries' UVC 100 program, offered workshops in the use of LCS, took part in the library orientation program for foreign students, and worked frequently on a one-to-one basis with students and faculty. Amnon's most significant contribution to research is unquestionably manifested in the first seven volumes of the _Bibliography of Modern Hebrew Literature in (English) Translation_ (1979-1985) and the _New Series_ (1985-86). Supplementing this achievement is his companion work: _Bibliography of Modern Hebrew Literature in Arabic Translation_. Beyond this ongoing research and publication endeavor, he also authored 21 articles and was a consultant for the important _Hebrew Annual Review_ (produced at Ohio State) since its inception in 1978. Nationally and at the University level, Amnon maintained a strong service profile over the years. Through committee work, chairing, and presentations, he was very active in the Association of Jewish Libraries (AJL), the Middle East Librarians Association (MELA), the Council on Archives and Research Libraries in Jewish Studies and the Association for Jewish Studies (AJS). Within Ohio Sate, Amnon served on numerous library and Melton Center committees, reflecting the high esteem in which he was held by his colleagues. He provided major contributions while serving on the University Libraries' Appointment, Promotion, and Tenure Committee, the Task Force on Main Library Public Services Organization, and the Strategic Planning Committee. One of his last library efforts was bringing Project ALEPH--a computer-managed database of catalog records in Hebrew and Arabic scripts--to Ohio State. A fitting tribute was paid to Amnon last Fall when the Melton Center for Jewish Studies established the "Amnon Zipin Student Intern Position," which is to provide general assistance in the library for the Jewish Studies bibliographer. Amnon's interests were many and included travel and bridge, especially duplicate bridge. He will be sorely missed by the many whom he often served as a mentor for improving their play. To be sure, Amnon will be remembered for his many professional contributions, high standards, leadership, and a ^ne analytical mind. But he will be equally recalled for his outgoing personality, warmth, sense of humor, wit, and zest for life. A man of compassion, integrity, loyalty, and unfailing helpfulness, he will be greatly missed for a very long time to come. Individuals wishing to offer a donation in AmnonUs memory may do so to any of four recipients: (1) Hospice of Columbus (181 Washington Blvd., Columbus, OH 43215); (2) Michael S. Melton Hebrew [also Yiddish--DNM] Library Fund; (3) the OSU Melton Center; or (4) the Amnon Zipin Jewish Studies Library Memorial Fund. Donations for the last three should be made payable to the Ohio State University, designating the particular recipient, and sent to the Friends of the Libraries [112 Main Library, 1858 Neil Avenue Mall, Columbus, Ohio 43210] whose staff will forward appropriately. -- David Neal Miller miller.3@osu.edu ______________________________________________________ End of Mendele Vol. 3.058