American Jewish Scholar Finds Hebrew Inscriptions of Twelfth Century Spain

(Jewish Telegraphic Agency)

The texts of Hebrew inscriptions of twelfth century Spain were arranged for scientific study and brought from Spain by Louis G. Zelson, professor of the University of Wisconsin, who has arrived here on his return from Spain.

Professor Zelson has made a study of the Hebrew inscription on a wooden beam found in an old convent in Toledo by Francisco de San Roman, director of the Archaeological Museum of Toledo. When interviewed by the correspondent of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Professor Zelson stated that he had the good fortune to find other Hebrew inscriptions of the same period, including many inscriptions on old tombstones found where a Jewish cemetery had stood. The tombstones bearing these inscriptions were placed in the museum of Toledo.

Professor Zelson commented on the life of the Jews in Spain which he observed. Spanish Jewry, he said, has fallen into a state of lethargy. He had to look five days, he said, before he found a Jew. Spanish Jews still hide their origin and it was even proposed to the professor by some that he should not reveal his Jewish origin. He saw two synagogues in Spain, one in Madrid and another in Barcelona, but neither of them bore any inscription on its facade which would indicate that it was a synagogue.

All the Jews with whom he spoke expressed their sympathies with Zionism.

The professor will remain in Paris several months in order to study Jewish archaeology in France.