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Dr Kenneth Collins lecturing on ‘Poles and Jews in Wartime Edinburgh.’ \u00a0 Image reproduced courtesy of Harvey Kaplan, Scottish Jewish Archives Centre \u00a9.<\/p><\/div>\n
It\u2019s hard to believe that more than half a year has elapsed since \u2018Jewish Lives, Scottish Spaces\u2019 first got under way.\u00a0\u00a0 So much has been achieved \u2013 two oral history interviews, continued scoping of selected collections of the Scottish Jewish Archive Centre, a pilot digitisation project, and crystallisation of our research plans to name just a few of our many accomplishments.<\/p>\n
The convening of the second six-monthly Project Advisory Board Meeting a few days ago therefore gave pause for reflection on our progress in relation to significant milestones.\u00a0 \u00a0A team of academics with expertise in digital humanities and historical research, archives and library professionals, and representatives from Jewish community organisations were in attendance at the Scottish Jewish Archives Centre on Wednesday 30th<\/sup> March.\u00a0 The remit of the Board is to meet biannually to critically appraise the project\u2019s strategy, progress and outputs, and also to offer specific expertise on matters relating to their individual areas of knowledge.\u00a0\u00a0 They perform this role consistently and cohesively well, drawing upon their experience to offer fresh and constructive insights which help to resolve challenges and move the project forward.<\/p>\n After a preliminary update on our progress and publication plans, the focus of the meeting was very much upon the practicalities of digitisation: selection of sources, equipment purchase, funder requirements, open access, timeframes and ethical issues all received attention. \u00a0\u00a0Much ground was covered, and we left eagerly anticipating the next phase of the project. \u00a0The meeting will convene again towards the end of this calendar year where the emphasis will be on knowledge exchange and impact.<\/p>\n After a very productive meeting, attendees were treated by Harvey Kaplan and Dr Kenneth Collins \u2013 Director and Chairman respectively of the Scottish Jewish Archives Centre – to a tour of the Synagogue and Centre.\u00a0\u00a0 In the early evening, Kenneth Collins delivered an engaging lecture to an audience of academics, volunteers and members of the Jewish community.\u00a0\u00a0 Dr Collins \u2013 current Edgar Astaire Fellow in Jewish Studies at the University of Edinburgh – shared selected insights from his extensive research into Polish Jewish medical students and soldiers in Scotland.\u00a0\u00a0 Although the lecture\u2019s title suggested an emphasis on Edinburgh \u2013where a Polish School of Medicine was established in 1941 – consideration was given also to the role of Polish Jewish refugees in the provision of mental health services and psychiatric medicine in Dundee, Aberdeen, Dumfries and Glasgow.\u00a0\u00a0 Of especial interest was Dr Collins\u2019 discussion of the extent to which Polish Jews in Scotland during wartime experienced anti-Semitism.\u00a0\u00a0 The talk captured the interest of community and academy alike, generating numerous questions. \u00a0\u00a0A lively reception followed, where delicious kosher food was abundantly served, courtesy of Mark\u2019s Deli in Giffnock, bringing a successful day to a relaxing close.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" It\u2019s hard to believe that more than half a year has elapsed since \u2018Jewish Lives, Scottish Spaces\u2019 first got under way.\u00a0\u00a0 So much has been achieved \u2013 two oral history interviews, continued scoping of selected collections of the Scottish … Continue reading