In 1907, a unique institution emerged in Philadelphia: Dropsie College for Hebrew and Cognate Learning. Dropsie College stood as a testament to Moses Aaron Dropsie’s vision. He bequeathed his fortune to establish a college dedicated to Hebrew and related studies. His father was Jewish and his mother Christian, but Dropsie embraced his Jewish identity from a young age. This institution, America’s first to grant degrees in post-doctoral Jewish studies, opened its doors in 1912 at Broad and York Streets. Its location held significance, being close to Mikveh Israel, Philadelphia’s oldest Jewish congregation.
Dropsie College wasn’t just about academics. It represented the culmination of efforts by figures like Mayer Sulzberger, Cyrus Adler, and Abraham A. Neuman. These individuals, all connected to Mikveh Israel, shaped Dropsie College’s library and its foundational values. The college embodied the “Science of Judaism,” intertwining history and intellectual pursuit. The college flourished, awarding over 200 PhDs and publishing the esteemed Jewish Quarterly Review. Its influence extended internationally, attracting scholars like Benzion Netanyahu. He brought his sons, Yonatan and Benjamin (later Prime Minister of Israel), to Philadelphia. Their time at Dropsie College provided an early immersion in American culture.
Tragedy struck on November 9, 1981. A fire, occurring on the anniversary of Kristallnacht, severely damaged Dropsie College’s library. Rare books and ancient cuneiform tablets were among the casualties. President David M. Goldenberg spearheaded the restoration efforts. Board member Albert J. Wood, with the support of Walter Annenberg, envisioned a new future for the institution. In 1986, Dropsie College ceased granting degrees and transformed into the Annenberg Research Institute. A new building arose, a few blocks from both Mikveh Israel and the National Museum of American Jewish History. The institute aimed to foster interfaith dialogue between Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
The Annenberg Research Institute’s time as an independent entity ended in 1993. It merged with the University of Pennsylvania, evolving into the Center for Judaic Studies and later the Herbert D. Katz Center for Advanced Judaic Studies. Though Dropsie College’s physical presence is gone, its legacy endures. Its library and archival collections, now housed at the Katz Center, continue to enrich the world of Jewish scholarship. From its beginnings at Broad and York Streets to its current form, Dropsie College’s journey reflects a commitment to knowledge and interfaith understanding.