The American Jewish Archives Journal, Volume LXI 2009, Number 1

I am more disgusted than I was before with the greed of Sukenik. He has
plenty to do with the material already at his disposal, so why use questionable
tactics to get all—or at least the Isaiah MS—under his control as well.…
Sukenik’s attitude is thoroughly indefensible. 37
As late as October, Sukenik was still trying to get copies of John Trever’s
photographs and publication rights to the St. Mark’s scrolls via Kiraz:
I have now a few requests to ask you:
1. Could I get the photographs made by the American School of Oriental
Research which you promised me?
2. Could you confirm to me by writing what you have told me several times
that we have the same rights of publication as the Americans. The Bishop
[Samuel] insists that he is the sole proprietor of the manuscripts you have
shown me.… 38
With Albright’s position on the issue quite clear, Glueck could not have
moved forward in attempting to negotiate a relationship between ASOR and the
Hebrew University. Despite his inability to contribute to these matters, Glueck
was certain that Magnes’s efforts on behalf of the Hebrew University did not
go unnoticed by ASOR’s members. Glueck authored the obituary for Magnes
that appeared in the ASOR Bulletin and noted: “[Magnes’s] deep and excited
interest in the Jerusalem Scrolls was characteristic of his abiding concern with
everything that had to do with the Holy Land.” 39 This point was in some ways
one that Albright and Burrows did not acknowledge. Although to Sukenik’s
mind, publishing the scrolls could bring him academic stature, ASOR’s move
to publish the material and to encourage its sale in the United States challenged
a more firmly held conviction, one held by Magnes as well: that the scrolls were
Israel’s national treasures. They tied the modern Israeli state to its ancient roots,
as Sukenik noted in his personal journal when he learned that the archbishop
preferred to hold out for an American buyer: “The Jewish people have lost a
precious heritage.” 40 Glueck appears to have understood this as well, but there
was little he could do.
On 29 January 1949, the archbishop arrived in the United States carrying
the scrolls with him to begin serving as the apostolic delegate to the United
States and Canada. Because the earlier purchase that Magnes and Burrows
discussed was never completed and Kiraz’s claim of ownership never accepted,
the materials were published by ASOR alone. 41 However, in 1955, following
Sukenik’s posthumous publication of the first scrolls in the Hebrew University’s
possession, Glueck looked back with appreciation on the efforts of Sukenik
and Magnes:
6 • American Jewish Archives Journal