The Chabad-Lubavitch movement, a Hasidic group known for its outreach to Jewish communities around the world, has amassed one of the largest collections of rare Jewish manuscripts and books anywhere – on the order of 250,000 items, including some that go back to the 11th century or earlier.
The items are usually available only to researchers who need to consult specific antique sources for their work. But Chabad has been showing parts of its holdings in annual exhibitions since the mid-1990s, and this year’s show, which just opened in the Chabad-Lubavitch Library’s exhibition hall, is its most expansive yet, and includes some of its rarest pieces. The exhibition is open Sundays through Thursdays, noon through 5 p.m., and Fridays, noon through 2 p.m. at Chabad’s headquarters, 770 Eastern Parkway in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. It will run through at least February.
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