June event: The Sun, the Scorpion and the Eagle: Alchemy and Magic from the Cairo Genizah

On 3rd June the CLG will visit the University Library for a talk about the origins and content of the Taylor-Schechter Genizah Collection. The 350,000 manuscript fragments recovered from the storage room (genizah) of the Ben Ezra Synagogue in Old Cairo have revolutionised our knowledge of the life and culture of the Jewish communities in medieval Islamic lands.

View the project's Facebook page here: http://on.fb.me/1dc69Ul

In this talk and display, Dr Gabriele Ferrario (Research Associate on the project) will unveil one of the most secretive aspects of this impressive heritage: alchemy and magic. Recipes for making gold and silver out of base metals, charms, spell, amulets and talismans will lead the audience to the discovery of one of the least known features of medieval Jewish life.

Join us for what promises to be a fascinating talk: 6pm in the Milstein Room at Cambridge University Library. All very welcome! Free to CLG members, £3 for non-members.