Genizah Update #25 - Books!

Genizah Update #25

BOOKS!



October 28, 2010

This past Tuesday was a long hard day for me. However, as you can see above, when I returned home weary and disheveled at about 10:15 PM, I was delighted to find awaiting my arrival several boxes of the printed copies of my book, Sacred Treasure: The Cairo Genizah. After three years or so of hard work, it was very gratifying to see my Genizah project finally come to fruition. Thanks to all of you who helped make it possible.


BOOKS AVAILABLE

The books are now available from the publisher, Amazon, and other online retailers. You get the best price from Amazon et al; I get a bigger piece of the pie if you order from the publisher, and a far bigger one if you order directly from me. See details below.

As I write this, my book is #10 on Amazon’s “Religion & Spirituality>Judaism>History of Religion” list – down from #6 earlier in the day. I’m guessing this means that two of you have ordered to book from them, and I thank you both! 


LAUNCH PARTY

As I mentioned in a previous email, Congregation Kol Ami (Woodinville, WA) is sponsoring a launch party this coming Saturday, October 30th, at 7:30 PM. The evening will include Havdalah (a brief ceremony marking the end of the Jewish Sabbath), a short reading from the book, and an opportunity to purchase your copy and have me sign it for you. The event is open to the public, and I would be delighted if you could attend. (A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Congregation Kol Ami).


ARTICLE IN REFORM JUDAISM MAGAZINE

The Winter issue of Reform Judaism Magazine will include a major feature about Expedition Genizah – my trip with Jacob to Cambridge, Cairo and New York. If you belong to a Reform Congregation in North America, you should receive your copy of the magazine on or around November 10. However, the article is now available to everyone online at http://reformjudaismmag.org/Articles/index.cfm?id=1827. And although it doesn’t appear very clearly over the internet, the cover of the magazine will include a teaser for the article – “Indiana Glickman and the Chamber of Secrets.”


Other Upcoming Events

As you can see below, my schedule is filling up rapidly. That said, I am eager to share the Genizah story with whomever is interested in hearing it, so please encourage the various groups and communities in which you are involved to consider inviting me as a speaker – synagogues, churches, universities, Kiwanis, book clubs, military brigades, foxhunts – I’ll speak wherever I can.

Date Time Venue City
1. Sat, Oct 30 7:30 PM Congregation Kol Ami Woodinville, WA
2. Sun, Oct 31 7:00 PM Cong. Kehillat Israel Lansing, MI
3. Mon, Nov 1 7:00 PM Michigan State University E. Lansing, MI
4. Tue, Nov 2 7:00 PM Elliott Bay Book Co. Seattle, WA
5. Sun Nov 14, Sun , Nov 21 10:00 AM St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church Bellevue, WA
6. Thu, Nov 18 7:00 PM Eagle Harbor Book Co. Bainbridge Island, WA
7. Thu, Dec 2 11:30 AM Oregon Board of Rabbis Portland
8. Thu, Dec 2 Noon Cong. Beth Israel Portland
9. Thu, Dec. 2 7:00 PM Powell’s Bookstore, Cedar Hill Crossing Beaverton, OR
10. Thu, Dec 9 Noon Temple Beth El Tacoma, WA
11. Sun, Jan 2 9:00 PM Pac. Assn. of Reform Rabbis (PARR) Palm Springs, CA
12. Thu, Jan 6 7:30 PM University Synagogue Irvine, CA
13. Sun, Feb 27 TBA Cong. Ahavath Beth Israel Boise, ID
14. Fri, Mar 18 Noon University District Rotary Club Seattle, WA









At the risk of sounding like the proverbial broken record, thanks again for your ongoing support and enthusiasm. I hope to see those of you who can attend at the party on Saturday night.

Shalom,

Rabbi Mark Glickman



ORDERING INFORMATION

If you would like to order the book directly from me, here is the info you’ll need:

Base Price $24.99
Shipping (If needed) $3.00
Tax (WA only) $2.15

Checks should be payable to me, and sent to:
15030 232nd Ave. NE
Woodinville, WA 98077

October 14,2010

Hello Everybody,

I am told that printed copies of my book Sacred Treasure: The Cairo Genizah will be shipped from the printer to the publisher on or around …TOMORROW, and that they will be on bookstore shelves by the end of the month. It is exciting and gratifying to know that this long project is about to come to fruition.

In the meantime, at one point yesterday the book soared to #7 on the Amazon bestseller list – the Amazon “Religion & Spirituality>Judaism>History of Religion” bestseller list, that is. It was also #40 on their Judaism list, as well. Alas, as I type this, it has descended to #26 on the first of these lists…such are the vagaries of life in the world of letters!

Launch Party

To celebrate the publication of the book, Congregation Kol Ami in Woodinville WA is planning a launch party. It will take place:

7:30 PM, October 30th
At Congregation Kol Ami
Meeting at Bear Creek United Methodist Church
16530 Avondale Rd NE, Woodinville WA 98077

If you live in the Seattle area, or if you are able to get to the Seattle area that evening, I would be delighted if you could join us. There will be a brief Havdalah service to mark the end of the Jewish Sabbath, food, mingling, and books available for purchase and signing (I might even sign some, too.  )Please see the attached press release for more details.

Speaking Engagements:

As you can see below, my schedule is filling up quickly. If you know of a group that might be interested in having me speak, please feel free to contact me at your convenience.

Time Away

That said, Caron and I will be away on a Cruise Oct 17-24 (Sunday-Sunday). So to contact me next week you’ll either need to own a helicopter or be a very good swimmer.

As always, thank you for your ongoing enthusiasm and support.

Shalom,

Rabbi Mark Glickman



Rabbi Mark Glickman
Sacred Treasure, the Cairo Genizah
Speaking Engagements

Date Time Venue City Notes
Sun, Oct 10 10:00 AM Unitarian Universalist Church Woodinville, WA,
Sat, Oct 30 7:30 PM Congregation Kol Ami Woodinville, WA Book-Launch Party
Sun, Oct 31 7:00 PM Cong. Kehillat Israel E. Lansing, MI
Mon, Nov 1 7:00 PM Michigan State University E. Lansing, MI
Tue, Nov 2 7:00 PM Elliott Bay Book Co. Seattle, WA

Sun Nov 14, Sun, Nov 21 10:00 AM St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church Bellevue, WA
Thu, Nov 18 7:00 PM Eagle Harbor Book Co. Bainbridge Island, WA
Thu, Dec 2 11:30 AM Oregon Board of Rabbis Portland
Thu, Dec 2 Noon Cong. Beth Israel Portland
Thu, Dec. 2 7:00 PM Powell’s Bookstore, Cedar Hill Crossing Beaverton, OR
Thu, Dec 9 Noon Temple Beth El Tacoma, WA
Sun, Jan 2 9:00 PM Pac. Assn. of Reform Rabbis (PARR) Palm Springs, CA
Thu, Jan 6 7:30 PM University Synagogue Irvine, CA
Sun, Feb 27 TBA Cong. Ahavath Beth Israel Boise, ID
Fri, Mar 18 Noon University District Rotary Club Seattle, WA

Genizah Update #23

Two Weeks Until Launch



Dear Friends,

At long last, I am delighted to announce that my book Sacred Treasure: The Cairo Genizah is about to be released. The publisher tells me that they expect to have printed copies in their warehouse on October 20th, and that the books should arrive in stores several days after that.

If you’re interested, you can preview a few chapters of the book and preorder your copies now, at http://www.jewishlights.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=GPREV&Store_Code=JL&Product_Code=978-1-58023-431-3.

Actually, even though it hasn’t been released, the book has already made it onto at least one bestseller list. Just the other day it spent at least a few hours in the #75 position on Amazon’s Religion & Spirituality>Judaism>History of Religion List. If this doesn’t mean that it’s hit the big time, I don’t know what would!

Schedule

As I mentioned in a previous update, there are several Sacred-Treasure-related events coming soon:

• Sunday, October 10 Genizah Talk at Woodinville Unitarian Universalist Church, Woodinville, WA, 10:00 AM
• Saturday, October 30 Book-Launch Party, Congregation Kol Ami (Meeting at Bear Creek United Methodist Church), Woodinville, WA [Tentative, time and details TBA…it will be in the evening]
• Sunday, October 31 Appearance at Congregation Kehillat Israel, East Lansing, MI
• Monday, November 1 Lecture at Michigan State University
• Tuesday, November 2 Reading at Elliot Bay Book Co., Seattle
• Thurs., November 18 Reading at Eagle Harbor Book Co., Bainbridge Island, WA
• Thurs., December 2 Reading at Powell’s Bookstore, Beaverton, OR (suburban Portland)
• Thursday, December 9 Genizah Talk at Temple Beth El, Tacoma WA, noon
• Sunday, February 27 Genizah Talk at Congregation Ahavath Beth Israel, Boise, ID

I am also in the process of arranging appearances at the annual conventions of:

• The Pacific Association of Reform Rabbis – January, Palm Springs
• The Central Conference of American Rabbis – March, New Orleans

Help Needed

Within the parameters of my other professional and family responsibilities, I am eager to speak about the Genizah to anyone willing to listen. Please feel free to suggest me as a speaker to synagogues, churches, universities, people you know in the media, Elk Clubs, sweat-lodges, and any other groups or individuals you think might be interested. Of course, I would be glad to send additional information to you or to whomever you suggest.


Donations

The caretakers of the Cairo Genizah manuscripts continue to need our help and support. As I have mentioned previously, I have created a fund that will support this book project and also contribute to the effort of Cambridge University and the Jewish Theological Seminary to conserve their massive Genizah collections. Please feel free to send your donations to me at 15030 232nd Ave. NE, Woodinville, WA 98077. Thank you.


As always, thank you for your ongoing support and enthusiasm for this project. I appreciate it more than words could say.

Shalom,

Rabbi Mark Glickman

Genizah Update #22: The New Year Begins, Release Date Draws Near

Genizah Update #22
The New Year Begins, Release Date Draws Near

September 13, 2010

Dear Friends,

As the Jewish New Year 5771 begins, I am pleased to inform you that I have finally finished writing my book, Sacred Treasure: The Cairo Genizah. At least I’ve almost finished it…I think. I know I’ve said this before, but this time I really, really think it’s true. Aside from one or two emails-worth of index-tweaking, the book is now complete – all 265 pages of it.

The book is currently scheduled for release on October 27, but, if you’d like, you can pre-order your copy at: http://www.jewishlights.com/page/product/978-1-58023-431-3.

Attached are the testimonials that will appear in the front-matter of the book – some of them will also appear on the cover. The people who wrote these endorsements all took the time to read and respond to a draft of the book, and I am honored to have received their very kind feedback.

Genizah Events and Appearances:

I have just barely started to promote the book, but already the calendar is filling up:

October 10: Woodinville Unitarian Universalist Church, Woodinville, WA
October 14, 21: St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church, Bellevue, WA
October 31: Kehillat Israel Congregation, Lansing, MI
November 1: Michigan State University
November 3: Speaking at “Torahthon 2010,” Herzl Ner Tamid Congregation, Seattle
December 9: Temple Beth El, Tacoma, WA
February 26-27 Congregation Ahavath Beth Israel, Boise, ID

November/December, TBA
• Elliot Bay Book Company, Seattle
• Eagle Harbor Book Company, Bainbridge Island
• Powell’s Bookstore, Portland, OR (???)

Additionally, there will be some sort of book release celebration in November, details TBA.

Reminder:

I am still gathering funds for this project and too donate to the Genizah preservation work at Cambridge University and the Jewish Theological Seminary. Please send your donations to me at:

15030 232nd Ave. NE
Woodinville, WA 98077

Thank you all for your ongoing support of and enthusiasm for this project. Together, we are telling the world the fascinating and important story of the Cairo Genizah.

Shalom,

Rabbi Mark Glickman

Genizah Update #21: The Finishing Touches

July 19, 2010

Dear Friends,

It has been some time since I’ve last updated you on the Genizah project. Finalizing the manuscript and preparing it for publication have proven to be far more time-intensive than I’d expected, but things have now quieted (for the moment), so I thought I’d take this opportunity to bring you up to date.

Completing the Book

With a great sense of achievement, I sent a completed manuscript to the publisher in late June. They responded that it looked good, but that it was about 20,000 words too long. Evidently, when I estimated early-on that the book would consist of about 75,000 words, they took me seriously, and therefore balked at the 98,000 words in the final manuscript. In response, I had to go through a gut-wrenching process of cutting about 75 pages of text, including some material that I felt was important, such as the entire section about my Genizah expedition and some in-depth discussions of Genizah research conducted by some wonderful Muslim scholars.

Nevertheless, I went ahead and made the cuts. The publisher is now doing a “line-edit” for (grammar, punctuation, etc.), and I expect to see the results next week. In the meantime, I have been soliciting back-cover testimonials from authors and scholars, preparing to write the index, and attending to several other details to make the final preparations for publication.


Reform Judaism Magazine Saves the Day

Last week, I received a call from Joy Weinberg, editor of Reform Judaism Magazine. She told me that, unexpectedly, a spot had opened up in their winter issue, and wanted to know whether I’d be interested in contributing a piece about my Genizah Expedition. I had to refrain from responding, “You had me at Joy.”

It’s not yet certain, but it is looking as if the magazine will include a good-sized article (about 4,000 words) in their November issue. Fortunately, it will include some of the material that I had to cut from the book. Since the magazine has a circulation of 310,000, this piece may very well get wider play than the book itself!

Many thanks to my congregant and friend Carol Tice, of Bainbridge Island, for making the magazine aware of the story.


Attached

For your reading pleasure, I have attached a brief excerpt from the book about medical documents in the Genizah. I’ve left out the citations, because including them would have been a hassle, and because I wanted to leave you something good to look forward to reading in the book.


Sacred Treasure: The Cairo Genizah – Order Now and be Among the First to Receive Your Copy

The book is now available for pre-order from the publisher. Feel free to order it now so that you can have your copy as soon as it is released. You can find it at:

http://www.jewishlights.com/page/product/978-1-58023-431-3


Support Still Needed

Thanks to the generous gifts I’ve received from so many of you, it is looking as if we will be in a position to make generous contributions to the Genizah preservation work now being conducted Cambridge University and at the Jewish Theological Seminary. As I have mentioned, these Genizah caretakers operate on a shoestring budget, and do invaluable work to ensure that the treasures will continue to be available to future generations. They need our support, and I hope you will consider a contribution. The funds I receive go to expenses incurred in writing the book, and the remainder will go to the two institutions mentioned above. You can send your checks to me at:

15030 232nd Ave. NE
Woodinville, WA 98077
USA


As always, I thank you for your ongoing interest and support.

Shalom,

Rabbi Mark Glickman

Genizah Update #20
DONE! (for now)

June 3, 2010

Dear Friends,

I am pleased to report that this morning I mailed a complete manuscript of the book, Sacred Treasure: The Cairo Genizah to Jewish Lights Publishing.

As you know, this has been a very long process – a labor of love, to be sure, but lately what I’ve been feeling is the labor part; the love, I trust, will come later.

In my last update, I told you that I had completed the first draft of the book. I had been working on it for a couple of years, and at long last, it felt like I was done.

But I wasn’t. Even as I finished that first draft, I knew that it was very raw and in need of a lot of work. The whole thing was rife with awkward sentences, minor errors, and repetitions. Sometimes, you see, I write Iike I talk. Even though it felt like I was done, I really wasn’t.

I decided to work with a professional editor – we spent the next couple of weeks sending hundreds of emails back and forth, revising, and revising, and revising. He did a great job of helping me whip the book into shape. Finally, last Sunday, we completed the process. Phew! Now, finally, I was done!

But I wasn’t. I wanted to give the book one final read – one final spiffing-up – before submitting it. The publisher was kind enough to extend my June 1 deadline by a few days, I hardly touched it on Monday and Tuesday, and yesterday I read through it that one final time. I found dozens – dozens – of typos, minor errors, formatting goofs, etc. Plus, the publisher wants their submissions formatted in a certain way, and it took me hours to get the manuscript into shape. I had also sent out sections of the book to some scholars for comment, and, as recently as this morning, I was incorporating their comments into the text.

Then, I copied what I had onto a disc, and sent it out via overnight express. Leaving the post office, I felt lighter on my feet, proud of the fact that I’m finally done.

But now I know better. The publisher will certainly have some edits, and I still need to get the comments of several more scholars. The deadline for the final manuscript is July 1.

Which is kind of funny, because some of the online book dealers refer to my book as “In Stock.” I guess that means I should finish writing it!

Attached to this email are two files. One is the prologue of the book in its current form. Longtime subscribers to this list may remember that I sent out an earlier version several months ago. If you remember it (as I am sure you do), you’ll be able to see the transformations that have taken place since then. As somebody once said, there’s no such thing as good writing – just good editing.

The other is a flyer for the book. It’s also an order-form – send it in now and you can be among the very first owners of this volume when it is released in October.

Finally, last month you may have heard the interview with me on PRI’s The World. Just this past Tuesday, it was also included in a podcast associated with the show – Patrick Cox’s “The World in Words.” It’s available on line at http://www.theworld.org/2010/06/01/bilingual-tots-and-the-language-of-smell/.

Don’t forget – I am still accepting donations to support this project and, afterwards, to contribute to the libraries now caring for the major collections of Genizah manuscripts. You can send the donations to me at:

15030 232nd Ave. NE
Woodinville, WA 98077
USA

Expedition Genizah T-shirts are also available for $20.

Thanks for your ongoing support and enthusiasm…and Shalom!

Rabbi Mark Glickman

Genizah Update #19: Sacred Treasure - It's Looking Like a Book

Genizah Update #19
Sacred Treasure - It's Looking Like a Book

May 5, 2010

Hello Everyone,

Another quick update this week.

The Book
In a previous email, I mentioned that I had completed the first draft of my book. Although that was true, the first draft that I had completed was, at the time, very raw. Certain sections were repeated, some interviews had not yet been incorporated, and there remained a few interviews that I had yet to conduct. I continued to plug away at it, however, and after a sixteen-hour writing marathon on Monday, the book is finally starting to look like a book. It appears that I am going to make my June 1 submission deadline – phew!

Attached
The folks at Jewish Lights Publishing recently told me that not only will they be featuring my book in their Fall catalogue, but that the book will also appear on the cover of the catalogue. I have attached a copy of the cover – it’s not a huge splash for my book, but Sacred Treasure is the only of JL’s many titles that the cover even mentions.

I have also attached a very brief book excerpt – feedback, as always, is most welcome.

PRI’s The World
I received a lot of nice feedback from my appearance on PRI’s The World. If you haven’t heard the broadcast, it is still online: http://www.theworld.org/2010/04/23/cairos-jewish-medieval-manuscripts/.

Funding Needed
As I mentioned in previous emails, many of you have been very generous in your support of this project. I have been using these funds for travel and other expenses I incur in writing my book, and at the conclusion of this project I will donate all remaining funds to the Jewish Theological Seminary or The Cambridge University Library to support their care of the Genizah documents. The two libraries own 230,000 of the 300,000 known Genizah manuscripts.

And, of course, Expedition Genizah T-Shirts are still available for the low, low price of $20 – all proceeds will be included in the donations I described above.

Please give generously – you can send you donations to:

Rabbi Mark Glickman
15030 232nd Ave. NE
Woodinville, WA 98077

As always, thank you for your ongoing support and enthusiasm.

Shalom,

Rabbi Mark Glickman