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Early Hebrew Books IV: Learning the Ways of the World: The Gratz Family in Philadelphia | Behind the Bookcase

Date / Time

  • May 16, 2024
    6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Location

2008-2010 Delancey Place, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19103, United States

Registration

  • Admission is $25. Members receive exclusive discounts on our programs and courses. Not a member? Learn more.
  • This is an in-person program at The Rosenbach Please check your spam folder for your email confirmation. If you have questions, please call (215) 732-1600 or email [email protected].
  • Registration opens for Delancey Society on March 7, for Rosenbach members on March 14, and for the general public on March 21. 

Register

Description

In 1759, on the eve of his voyage from England to its American colonies, fledgling merchant Michael Gratz, then 19, wrote to his family in Upper Silesia, “I am again going beyond the ocean—to Philadelphia…. I must learn the ways of the world.” By 1776, Gratz was one of only 1,000 Jews within the colonial population of 2.5 million. This tour examines artifacts of the Gratz family of Philadelphia and asks how they learned the ways of this new world and made it their home. We’ll discuss how faith and revolution contributed to their story and how that story impacted the lives of their relatives and our museum’s founders, the Rosenbach brothers. Join us for this new addition to the Early Hebrew Books Behind the Bookcase series. There is no requirement to read Hebrew or to have attended any of the earlier three tours in the series. Artifacts include personal and business documents, maps, domestic objects, books, and fine art.

Would you like to learn more about the artifacts owned by the Gratz Family? Listen to episode 20 of The Rosenbach Podcast: https://rosenbach.org/podcast/

About Behind the Bookcase Tours at The Rosenbach

Behind the Bookcase: Hands-on Tours offer unparalleled access to see, and even touch, rare and important items not usually on view to the public. Each program is dedicated to a different author, theme, or topic and grants a truly hands-on experience with materials in The Rosenbach’s inspiring collection.

See all upcoming tours here. Space is limited and advance registration is strongly recommended.