A CROWN FIT FOR A KING
A reproduction of a 15th-century Torah crown from Arles, France, is on view at the Yeshiva University Museum. Bernard Bernstein, a silversmith from New York who reproduced the crown, first became interested in the crown in 1963, after stumbling upon the catalog of the 1878 “Exposition Universelle” (“World Exhibition”) in Paris, which made reference to a 1439 contract commissioning the crown’s creation by a Christian silversmith from Avignon named Robin Asard — a reflection of the familiar ties between Christians and Jews at the time. The crown was said to have six towers, one at each corner. The city of Arles, which had been fortified by six towers to defend itself against invaders from the north, may have been the inspiration for this design. Bernstein utilized cardboard, copper foil, polymer clay, silver chains, square silver wire, and gold and silver paint to make the reproduction.
Yeshiva University Museum, Center for Jewish History, 15 W. 16th St.; Aug.12-Jan. 30, Tue., Wed., Thu., Sun. 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; $6, $4 students and seniors, free members and children under 5. (212-294-8330 or www.yumuseum.org)
Why I became the Forward’s editor-in-chief
You are surely a friend of the Forward if you’re reading this. And so it’s with excitement and awe — of all that the Forward is, was, and will be — that I introduce myself to you as the Forward’s newest editor-in-chief.
And what a time to step into the leadership of this storied Jewish institution! For 129 years, the Forward has shaped and told the American Jewish story. I’m stepping in at an intense time for Jews the world over. We urgently need the Forward’s courageous, unflinching journalism — not only as a source of reliable information, but to provide inspiration, healing and hope.
, editor-in-chiefSupport our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
