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| Who
we are |
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The al-Qirqisani Center for the Promotion of
Karaite Studies is a cooperative of people involved in
promoting the study of Karaism. Our focus is on the
publication of Karaite texts (old and new), the
promotion of the awareness of Karaite Judaism, and the
presentation of accurate information on Karaism for the
education of the public at large. |
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| Our
history |
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The al-Qirqisani Center for the Promotion of
Karaite Studies came about after discussions between
members of the Karaite community in America, and various
professors in the field of Karaism...
In the early 1990s Dr. Phillip Miller of Hebrew
Union College wrote a book, entitled, “Karaite
Separatism in Nineteenth-Century Russia.” At the
end of the introduction to that book, he wrote:
“It is my intention that this monograph be but the first
of a series of publications dealing with the Crimean
Karaites in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries...
There is much challenging work yet to be done, but as
enjoyable and fulfilling as researching this first
volume has been, it has been a singularly lonely
enterprise. As I continue, I shall welcome the
company of colleagues.” In response to this, Dr.
Miller was contacted by members of the Karaite community
in America, who had a proposition for him. It was
a proposition he proved eager to accept.
He and those members began to discuss the
formation of a Center for the promotion of Karaite
studies. They envisioned a resource for
individuals with an interest in Karaism that would
facilitate communication, promote the exchange of
knowledge, foster cooperation and provide access to much
needed information, and support.
It is this dream that is being realized today
at the al-Qirqisani Center for the Promotion of
Karaite Studies - which takes its name from Ya‘aqov
al-Qirqisani, one of the greatest scholars in the
history of Karaism.
The center is now, since July 2005, under the auspices of Karaite Jewish Congregation Orah Saddiqim in Albany, NY, and directed by Hakham Avraham Ben-Rahamiël Qanaï |
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The al-Qirqisani Center for the Promotion of Karaite Studies
101 South Pearl
St, suite E9L
Albany, NY 12207
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