The Jewish Encyclopedia: The Formation and Management of Its Editorial Board
Between October 1898 and March 1899, the publishing house Funk & Wagnalls undertook the ambitious task of assembling an editorial board for a landmark scholarly project. To ensure the project's success, Isidore Singer moderated his ideological rhetoric and expressed a strong desire for collaboration, ultimately renaming the work The Jewish Encyclopedia.
Despite initial reservations regarding Singer, several prominent figures agreed to join the board, including Rabbi Gustav Gottheil and Cyrus Adler. They were joined by Morris Jastrow and Frederick de Sola Mendes, as well as Kauffmann Kohler and Gotthard Deutsch, both of whom had previously been critics of the project.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]
Key Facts
- Formation Period: The editorial board was assembled between October 1898 and March 1899.
- Strategic Partnership: The Central Conference of American Rabbis agreed to collaborate, ensuring the work remained the only major project of its kind.
- Diverse Expertise: The board included theologians, Baptist and Presbyterian ministers, and leading Talmudists.
- Payment Structure: Collaborators were paid per printed page, with rates varying based on the language of the text.
- Scope: The final work spanned 12 volumes.
Board Composition and Leadership
To maintain intellectual balance, the board included non-Jewish scholars. George Foot Moore, a Presbyterian minister, was initially appointed but was later replaced by Baptist minister Crawford Toy. Marcus Jastrow, recognized as America's leading Talmudist (an expert in the Talmud, the central text of Rabbinic Judaism), was added primarily for his symbolic authority.
As the project progressed, the team refined its operations. Joseph Jacobs was hired as a coordinator, contributing four hundred articles and sourcing many of the illustrations. Herman Rosenthal, an expert on Russia, joined as an editor, and Louis Ginzberg was brought on to lead the rabbinical literature department.
Editorial Contributions by Volume
While some editors remained for the duration of the 12-volume set, others contributed to specific sections. William Popper served as the chief of translation and assistant revision editor for volumes IV through XII.
| Editor | Volumes Contributed |
|---|---|
| Gotthard Deutsch, Richard Gottheil, Joseph Jacobs, Kaufmann Kohler, Herman Rosenthal, Crawford Howell Toy | All 12 Volumes |
| Morris Jastrow, Jr. and Frederick de Sola Mendes | I & II |
| Marcus Jastrow | I, II, & III |
| Louis Ginzberg | I through IV |
| Solomon Schechter | IV through VII |
| Emil G. Hirsch and Wilhelm Bacher | IV through XII (Bacher starting at VIII) |
Financial Arrangements and Compensation
The payment scheme, as described by Shuly Rubin Schwartz, was structured to distinguish between executive leadership and general contributors. Members of the local executive committee (excluding Singer and Funk) received $1,000 per year, while other department editors received $500.
Payment for content was based on the printed page (approximately 1,000 English words):
- English articles: $5.00 per page.
- Foreign language articles: $3.50 per page.
Isidore Singer received a weekly salary of $40 ($35 base plus $5 for life insurance). This salary was treated as an advance, as Singer was the only individual designated to share in the company's profits.
Editorial Challenges and Conflicts
The production of the encyclopedia was not without friction. The board frequently clashed over the level of detail required for entries. Singer advocated for exhaustive entries on every Jewish community worldwide, including specific dates and names of the first settlers in cities like Prague.
More significant tension arose regarding higher criticism—a branch of scholarly biblical interpretation that applies historical and literary analysis to scripture. Some editors expressed concern that Morris Jastrow's adherence to these methods would result in the unfavorable treatment of sacred texts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who published The Jewish Encyclopedia?
The encyclopedia was published by Funk & Wagnalls.
How were the contributors paid?
Collaborators were paid per printed page of approximately 1,000 words, receiving $5.00 for English text and $3.50 for text written in a foreign language.
Why was Marcus Jastrow added to the board?
He was added primarily for his symbolic imprimatur as the leading Talmudist in America.
What caused the disagreement regarding "higher criticism"?
Some editors feared that the application of higher criticism—a method of historical and literary biblical analysis—by Morris Jastrow would lead to an unfavorable portrayal of scripture.
How many volumes did the project eventually produce?
The project consisted of 12 volumes.