Edward Zipperstein, a well-known CPA who wrote his doctoral dissertation on business ethics in Jewish Law and published six volumes of essays, articles and monographs, holds numerous advanced degrees in philosophy, business administration and law.

“His library was used as his primary resource, providing him with the necessary scholarly and Rabbinic sources he needed in the pursuit of his public and private life as a lecturer, writer and perpetual student,” said Rachel Leket-Mor, Jewish Studies bibliographer for Hayden Library.

He collected – and studied – books on the history of Judaism and the Jewish people, American Jewish history, history of Zionism, biblical studies, religious studies, the history of Christianity, philosophy, Jewish education, Hebrew instruction in Jewish day schools and American Jewish sermons throughout the 20th century, among other topics.

Prepared by Leket-Mor, the exhibit illustrates the diversity and profoundness of the Zipperstein Collection.

The exhibit focuses on 12 themes: Key Jewish texts; children’s adaptations of Biblical stories and Jewish histories; 350 years of Jewish communal life in America (in conjunction with “Celebrate 350: Jewish Life in America, 1654-2004,” a year-long series of programs initiated by the national Jewish community); the Jewish education system in the United States; Hebrew instruction in early 20th century Jewish day schools; Bar/Bat Mitzvah books; children’s literature; Jewish way of life (holidays, rituals, prayer books); Holy Land and Israel travel guides; history of Zionism; religious studies; and Jewish sermons.

Leket-Mor said of the Zipperstein collection, “Any future research of American Judaism in the 20th century will benefit from this immense collection.”

Selected titles from the collection are on exhibit at Hayden Library, “Living With Jewish Books,” through Aug. 31, on the Concourse Level. The exhibit may be viewed during library hours (go to http://www.asu.edu/lib/resources/mainlibs.htm). For more information about the exhibit, call Leket-Mor at (480) 965-2618.