Altmann, Alexander, Elliot R. Wolfson

Alexander Altmann was an Orthodox Jewish scholar and rabbi renowned for his extensive work on medieval Jewish philosophy and mysticism, with a particular focus on Moses Mendelssohn. Born in Austria-Hungary in 1906, he received his rabbinical ordination and a Ph.D. in philosophy from the University of Berlin before fleeing Nazi Germany in 1938. He then served as a rabbi in Manchester, England, where he also established and directed the Institute of Jewish Studies and edited the Journal of Jewish Studies. His academic career culminated at Brandeis University in the United States, where he held a professorship for over fifteen years. Altmann's scholarship aimed to restore recognition to figures like Mendelssohn and Isaac Israeli, highlighting their philosophical depth. He passed away in Boston in 1987, leaving behind a significant body of published works.

Altmann's contributions extended to the academic study of Jewish mysticism, where for a considerable period, he was a singular scholar in the United States operating in a purely academic context. He mentored numerous students who went on to become prominent scholars in the field. Even in his later years, Altmann demonstrated an unyielding commitment to learning, audibly enrolling in a Coptic language class as a fellow student. His dedication to Jewish intellectual life was further evidenced by his active participation in an Orthodox synagogue in Newton, Massachusetts, where he delivered sermons and lectures, drawing on his experiences as a rabbi during the rise of Nazism in Berlin.

Alexander Altmann's academic career was largely dedicated to illuminating the thought of key figures in Jewish philosophy and mysticism. He is particularly celebrated for his authoritative scholarship on Moses Mendelssohn, whom he championed as an original philosopher rather than merely an Enlightenment popularizer. Altmann also significantly contributed to the understanding of medieval Jewish thinkers like Isaac Israeli, aiming to rescue them from obscurity. His work often involved detailed textual analysis and historical contextualization, seeking to reveal the philosophical rigor and intellectual depth of these traditions. For a substantial part of his career in the United States, Altmann was a solitary academic voice focusing on Jewish mysticism, a field he approached with rigorous scholarly methods.

Altmann's journey spanned significant geographical and institutional shifts. After receiving his rabbinical ordination and a doctorate in philosophy from the University of Berlin, he served as a rabbi and professor in Germany until fleeing the Nazi regime in 1938. He then established himself in Manchester, England, where he served as a community rabbi, founded the Institute of Jewish Studies, and edited scholarly journals. In 1959, he moved to the United States to join the faculty of Brandeis University, becoming a distinguished professor and a pivotal figure in Jewish studies. His academic tenure at Brandeis, from 1959 to 1976, saw him mentor a generation of scholars in Jewish philosophy and mysticism. Following his retirement, he continued his academic engagement as a visiting professor and associate at Harvard University.

In his later years, Altmann remained actively engaged in both academic and religious life. He joined an Orthodox synagogue in Newton, Massachusetts, where he served on its Rabbinical Committee and delivered notable sermons and lectures, finding renewed vigor in sharing his knowledge within a congregational setting. His experiences as a rabbi in Berlin during the 1930s, delivering coded messages of encouragement to Jews facing Nazi persecution, informed his later reflections. Altmann's commitment to lifelong learning was remarkable; even in his sixties, he was observed attending a Coptic language class, eager to acquire new skills. He consistently hosted Jewish scholars and students at his home, fostering intellectual community.