É. Apor (ed.): David Kaufmann Memorial Volume: Papers Presented at the David Kaufmann Memorial Conference, November 29, 1999, Budapest.

Greetings - SCHÖNER, Alfréd

GREETING ADDRESS TO THE CONFERENCE Alfréd Schöner Rector of the Jewish Theological Seminary and University, Budapest Ladies and Gentlemen, It is both a special privilege and an exceptional pleasure for me to greet the participants of this prestigious conference to commemorate the centenary of David Kaufmann's untimely death and to pay tribute to the scholarly achievements of this giant of Jewish learning in various fields of studies. He came from Moravia to Hungary, the country which then became his home for the rest of his tragically short life and where he not only displayed his manifold and exceptionally fruitful activities but also found personal satisfaction and happiness in a noble, highly educated family. Among the various scholarly fields he cultivated one of the most important was the history of Jewish art, of which he is often - and deservedly so - regarded as the founder. Since I am an art historian myself working in the same field, the name of Kaufmann evokes in me the unparalleled atmosphere of the acquaintance with his essential findings, his fundamental results involving matchless insights into the deeper nature of art, at the same time setting an example for scholars of all ages. But I am paying now tribute also to Kaufmann, the adored teacher of aspiring young men desiring to partake in the Jewish lore and wisdom of past and present, because Kaufmann was one of the first professors of the then newly opened Jewish Theological Seminary, which has only recently been transformed into a university under my rectorate. Kaufmann is one of our ideals and his example strengthens and inspires us in our everyday work. His noble figure will always be present among the walls of our venerable institution and both the high standard and the spirit of his works will always remain ideals to strive for before our eyes. I have no doubt that the papers read at this prestigious assembly of scholars from all over the world will represent important contributions to the field of scholarship, and the conference itself will do honour to the memory of a great scholar and pious man. 15