21 Feb 90 JUDAIC STUDIES #32 26 Shevat 50 BS"D To send a note to this listserv on any issue of common interest, address it to judaica@taunivm Edited by Y. Greenbaum CONTENTS 1) Update of Electronics for Biblical Studies 2) Use of Computers in Biblical Hermeneutics 3) Holocaust Studies Research 1) Update of Electronics for Biblical Studies From: KRAFT@PENNDRLS Date: Thursday, 15 February 1990 1814-EST A fairly wide-ranging and up-to-date catalogue of electronic products of value for biblical studies is available from HERMENEUTIKA, PO Box 98563, Seattle WA 98198 for $5 (it is 4 cols per page, 30 pages, indexed; in a very brief way it updates John Hughes, BITS BYTES & BIBLICAL STUDIES [Zondervan, 1987]). It covers hardware, data, software, CD-ROMs, and more. I'm not sure how serious the distributor is about charging for the catalogue -- he gave them away free at the Anaheim SBL meetings last November. For free, it's a GREAT buy! And I might even be willing to shell out $5 for it, if pressed. Bob Kraft 2) Use of Computers in Biblical Hermeneutics From: iwml@UKC.AC.UK Date: Fri, 16 Feb 90 17:07:25 +0000 Invitation to comment: In preparation for the coming conference organised by l'Association Bible et Informatique (AIBI) in Tu"bingen in August 1991, Ferdinand Poswick, at Maredsous, has suggested that some of the preliminary questions should be considered in advance, with a view to obtaining a wide range of ideas. To that end, I list below some of the questions from the more difficult area - hermeneutics. The session is due to be chaired by Alan Groves at Westminster, and raises basic questions about how far the computer can be used as a tool in the area of hermeneutics. (1) What limitations are there to using a computer as a tool in hermeneutical studies? (2) What is the influence of the theory of communication? (3) Is there a false ideal of objectivity? (4) What presuppositions exist regarding the text and the tool (the computer)? (5) Who will benefit from scientific research in this area? (6) The computer restricts research mainly to linguistic concerns. Are pragmatic aspects completely excluded? (7) The tool requires a high degree of logic and precision. What about the psychological and religious dimensions of a biblical text? (8) How do we build a bridge between computer-linguistics and pastoral work? It would be good to have ideas and responses to individual questions, groups of questions, or just a response to the general point. It would also be of benefit to have responses from colleagues outside the area of biblical studies as well as inside! Many thanks Ian Mitchell Lambert PhD research student Tangnefedd Department of Theology Windmill Road University of Kent at Canterbury Weald United Kingdom Sevenoaks Kent Co-ordinator TN14 6PJ AIBI Network (Association Internationale Bible et Informatique, Maredsous, Belgium) Telephone (UK): 0732 463460 (international): +44 732 463 460 Email JANET: iwml@uk.ac.ukc EARN/BITNET: iwml@ukc.ac.uk or iwml%uk.ac.ukc@ukacrl Telex 94082452 Answerback: CSECL Microlink (+Dialcom + Goldnet) mailbox MAG33187 3) Holocaust Studies Research From: JSCHWARTZ@WSU Date: Tue, 20 Feb 90 08:57 EST HOLOCAUST STUDIES PROJECT This project involves a study of the fate of children during the German occupation. All children -- Jewish and Gentile -- will constitute the subject of the study. Representative areas to be investigated include 1. deportation to Germany for hard labor 2. Germanization of "Nordic" types 3. medical experimentation 4. terrorization and execution. Anyone having any information about these topics, or anyone who can provide any assistance whatsoever, please contact me through my BITNET address JSCHWARTZ%desire@WSU.BITNET Thanks. Jim Schwartz