Israeli request on manuscripts

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To the Editor:

I think "return" is an odd word to use here. This collection, probably the one of Baron Joseph de Guenzburg, the 19th century St. Petersburg magnate, was most likely never in Israel. It may include items from the Cairo Genizah that didn’t end up in the Jewish Theological Seminary library in New York or Cambridge University library.

If Russia gives the collection to Israel, it would be setting a precedent and also be very generous. I wonder what Russia wants in return?

Murray Aronson

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