Noam Sienna

Noam Sienna, a scholar specializing in Jewish culture within the Islamic world, delves into the vibrant literary tapestry of North African Jewish communities. He discusses how these communities fostered a transnational book culture connecting regions from Fez to Livorno. Sienna highlights the unique role of libraries as family collections and the challenges of cataloging Judeo-Arabic texts. He also presents the often-overlooked labor of scribes and the emotional impacts of books, while previewing his next project on early Ottoman Sephardi printing.

Noam Sienna, a leading scholar of Jewish culture, explores the intricate world of Jewish books in North Africa. He reveals how these texts knitted together diverse Sephardic communities across regions like Fez, Tunis, and Livorno. Sienna highlights the shift from manuscripts to print, the evolving identity of Sephardic culture, and the often-overlooked labor of scribes and correctors. He also discusses the emotional significance of books post-expulsion and teases his upcoming project on Ottoman Sephardi printing, promising more fascinating insights into a rich cultural history.