1997-Present: Curator, The Arthur Szyk Society, Burlingame, CA

1987-Present: Founder and CEO, Historicana, Burlingame, CA

1980-1987: Rabbi, Peninsula Temple Sholom, Burlingame, CA

1974-1980: Rabbi, Temple Sinai, Forest Hills, NY

S.T.M.(Masters of Sacred Theology), New York Theological Seminary, NY, 1977

Pastoral Counseling Degree, Post Graduate Center for Mental Health, NY, 1977

M.A. (Education), New York University, 1974

Rabbinic Ordination, Academy for Jewish Religion, NY, 1974

B.A. (Math/Economics), Washington and Jefferson College, Washington, PA, 1970

Arthur Szyk

• Consultant, “Arthur Szyk: Man of Dialogue,” Museum of the City of Łódź, Poznański Palace, Łódź, Poland, September 14 – October 16, 2011
• Consultant, “Artur Szyk: Dziedzictwo polsko-żydowskiego artysty ‚Karykatury wojenne,’” Stradom Dialogue Centre, Krakow, Poland, June 20 – mid-October, 2011
• Guest Curator, “Arthur Szyk: Miniature Paintings and Modern Illuminations,” Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, California Palace of the Legion of Honor, San Francisco, CA, December 4, 2010 – March 27, 2011
• Curator, “Arthur Szyk: Methods of a Master Illuminator,” Broome Street Gallery, New York, NY, April 13 – 25, 2010
• Curator, “Arthur Szyk Illuminated – New York,” Broome Street Gallery, New York, NY, April 7 – 26, 2009
• Curator, “Arthur Szyk: Illuminator for Freedom,” Peninsula Jewish Community Center, Foster City, CA, March 12 – May 26, 2009
• Guest Curator, “Arthur Szyk – Drawing Against National Socialism and Terror,” Deutsches Historisches Museum, Berlin, Germany, August 29, 2008 – January 4, 2009
• Curator for the “Justice Illuminated: The Art of Arthur Szyk” Traveling Exhibition Program, The Arthur Szyk Society, 2001 – Present
• Consultant, “The Art and Politics of Arthur Szyk,” United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, Washington, DC, April – October 2002
• Visiting Curator, “Arthur Szyk: Artist for Freedom,” Library of Congress, Washington, DC, December 1999 – May 2000
• Curator, “Washington & His Times,” Burlingame Public Library, Burlingame, CA, February – March 2000
• Curator, “Arthur Szyk: Manuscript Illuminator, Political Artist, and Advocate for Humanity,” University Art Gallery, University of Scranton, PA, November 1999 – February 2000
• Curator, “Justice Illuminated: The Art of Arthur Szyk,” Spertus Museum, Chicago, IL, August 1998 – February 1999

Judaica

• Curator, “The Cartographer’s Vision: 400 Years of Holy Land Maps,” Judah L. Magnes Museum, Berkeley, CA, May – September 1988

Arthur Szyk

• Lecture, “Building Bridges: The Legacy of Polish-Jewish Artist Arthur Szyk,” Kosciouszko Foundation, April 9, 2013, 15 E. 65th Street, New York City
• Lecture, “To the Hallowed Memory of Europe's Martyred Jews: The Holocaust Art of Arthur Szyk,” Temple Beth Hillel, April 7, 2013, Richmond, California
• Lecture, “The Fabric of America through the Art of Arthur Szyk,” Valley Beth Shalom, March 23, 2013, Encino, California
• Lecture, “The Szyk Haggadah: Freedom Illuminated,” Valley Beth Shalom, March 21, 2013, Encino, California
• Lecture, “Arthur Szyk and Canada,” McGill Faculty Club and Conference Center, McGill University, November 26, 2012, Montreal, Canada
• Lecture, “The Fabric of America through the Art of Arthur Szyk,” African & Middle Eastern Division Reading Room Thomas Jefferson Building, The Library of Congress, November 6, 2012, Washington, DC
• Opening Address, “Building Bridges: The Legacy of Polish-Jewish Artist Arthur Szyk, Fighter for Justice and Freedom,” Stradom Dialogue Center, June 20, 2011, Krakow, Poland
• Lecture, “The Exquisite Art of Arthur Szyk,” Commonwealth Club of California, June 13, 2011, San Francisco, CA
• Lecture, “On Arthur Szyk and The Szyk Haggadah,” Donohue Rare Book Room, Gleeson Library, University of San Francisco, April 14, 2011, San Francisco, CA
• Opening Address, “Visions of Israel: The Jewish State through the Art of Arthur Szyk,” Koret Pavilion at the Ziff Center for Jewish Campus Life at Stanford University, April 13, 2011, Stanford, CA
• Lecture, “Arthur Szyk and his Passover Haggadah: A Library of Congress Treasure,” Africa and Middle Eastern Division Reading Room, The Library of Congress, April 4, 2011, Washington D.C.
• Lecture, “On Arthur Szyk and The Szyk Haggadah,” Washington Hebrew Congregation, April 3, 2011, Washington D.C.
• Lecture, “On Arthur Szyk and The Szyk Haggadah,” Text and Culture Lecture Series, Taube Center for Jewish Studies, Stanford University, March 8, 2011, Stanford, CA
• Symposium, “Social Justice in the Art of Arthur Szyk,” Palace of the Legion of Honor, January 30, 2011, San Francisco, CA
• Lecture, “Arthur Szyk: Miniature Paintings and Modern Illuminations,” Palace of the Legion of Honor, January 9, 2011, San Francisco, CA
• Lecture, “Arthur Szyk: Miniature Paintings and Modern Illuminations,” Burlingame Public Library, December 8, 2010, Burlingame, CA
• Gallery Tour, “Arthur Szyk: Miniature Paintings and Modern Illuminations,” Palace of the Legion of Honor, December 4, 2010, San Francisco, CA
• Lecture, “On Arthur Szyk and The Szyk Haggadah,” Jewish Community Centre of Greater Vancouver, October 17, 2010, Vancouver, BC, Canada
• Lecture, “Freedom Illuminated: Understanding The Szyk Haggadah,” The Alcuin Society, October 14, 2010, Vancouver, BC, Canada
• Lecture, “On Arthur Szyk and The Szyk Haggadah,” B’nai Torah Congregation, October 3, 2010, Boca Raton, FL
• Lecture, “Remaking The Szyk Haggadah,” The Rotary Club of San Mateo, May 6, 2010, San Mateo, CA
• Lecture, “Visions of Israel: The Jewish State through the Art of Arthur Szyk,” Broome Street Gallery, April 20, 2010, New York, NY
• Lecture, “The Haggadah for All Seasons: Szyk's Passover Masterpiece,” Broome Street Gallery, April 18, 2010, New York, NY
• Lecture, “Freedom Illuminated: Understanding The Szyk Haggadah,” Morrison Library, UC Berkeley, March 1, 2010, Berkeley, CA
• Lecture, “Arthur Szyk: Soldier in Art,” The National Museum of American Jewish Military History, Veterans Day, November 11, 2009, Washington DC
• Lecture, “Arthur Szyk: Soldier in Art,” Broome Street Gallery, April 19, 2009, New York, NY
• Lecture, “Freedom Illuminated: Understanding The Szyk Haggadah,” Broome Street Gallery, April 12, 2009, New York, NY
• Lecture, “The ABCs of Passover Through the Szyk Haggadah,” Peninsula Temple Beth El, March 26, 2009, San Mateo, CA
• Lecture, “Understanding the Printed Torah,” Congregation Brith Shalom, March 23, 2009, Houston, TX
• Lecture, “Freedom Illuminated: Understanding The Szyk Haggadah,” The Roxburghe Club, March 19, 2009, San Francisco, CA
• Lecture, “Freedom Illuminated: Understanding The Szyk Haggadah,” Peninsula Jewish Community Center, March 15, 2009, Foster City, CA
• Lecture, “Justice Illuminated: The Art of Arthur Szyk,” Carnegie Mellon University Libraries, January 25, 2009, Pittsburgh, PA
• Lecture, “Freedom Illuminated: Understanding The Szyk Haggadah,” San Francisco Center for the Book, October 16, 2008, San Francisco, CA
• Lecture, “Freedom Illuminated: Understanding The Szyk Haggadah,” Jewish Business Persons Lunch (JBL), September 22, 2008, Walnut Creek, CA
• Lecture, “Arthur Szyk: Soldier in Art,” Zeughauskino, Deutsches Historisches Museum, August 27, 2008, Berlin, Germany
• Lecture, “Freedom Illuminated: Understanding The Szyk Haggadah,” The Jewish Center of the Hamptons, June 29, 2008, East Hampton, NY
• Lecture, “Freedom Illuminated: Understanding The Szyk Haggadah,” Association of Jewish Libraries, 2008 Annual Conference, June 23, 2008, Cleveland, OH
• Lecture, “Freedom Illuminated: Understanding The Szyk Haggadah,” Judah L. Magnes Museum, April 13, 2008, Berkeley, CA
• Lecture, “Freedom Illuminated: Understanding The Szyk Haggadah,” BJE Jewish Community Library, April 10, 2008, San Francisco, CA
• Lecture, “Freedom Illuminated: Understanding The Szyk Haggadah,” Peninsula Temple Beth El, March 28, 2008, San Mateo, CA
• Lecture, “Freedom Illuminated: Understanding The Szyk Haggadah,” Friedman Society, The Jewish Museum, New York, NY, June 3, 2007
• Lecture, “Freedom Illuminated: Understanding The Szyk Haggadah,” Congregation Kol Emet, Palo Alto, CA, March 25, 2007
• Guest Speaker, Presentation: “Arthur Szyk: Soldier in Art,” Burlingame High School, Burlingame, CA, March 13, 2007
• Opening Address, “Justice Illuminated: The Art of Arthur Szyk,” University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, IA, January 8, 2007
• Opening Address, “Justice Illuminated: The Art of Arthur Szyk,” Center for Jewish Culture, Krakow, Poland, October 24, 2005
• Lecture, “Fabric of America,” Facing History and Ourselves Teachers’ Seminar, Oakland, CA, August 4, 2005
• Opening Address, “Justice Illuminated: The Art of Arthur Szyk,” Jewish Historical Institute, Warsaw, Poland, June 30, 2005
• Lecture, “Justice Illuminated: The Art of Arthur Szyk,” Facing History and Ourselves Teachers’ Seminar, San Francisco, CA, August 6, 2004
• Opening Address, “Justice Illuminated: The Art of Arthur Szyk” Burlingame Public Library, Burlingame, CA, February 3, 2000
• Keynote Address, “Arthur Szyk: Manuscript Illuminator, Political Artist, and Advocate for Humanity” University of Scranton, Scranton, PA, January 9, 2000
• Keynote Address, “Arthur Szyk: Artist for Freedom” Library of Congress, December 8, 1999
• Keynote Address, “Justice Illuminated: The Art of Arthur Szyk” Spertus Museum, Chicago, IL, August 16, 1998
• Lecture, “Arthur Szyk, His Life and Art” Center for Jewish Art, Hebrew University, Jerusalem, June 3, 1994

Judaica

• Scholar-in-Residence, Congregation B’nai Zion, El Paso, TX, December 8 – 10, 2006
• Scholar-in-Residence, Peninsula Temple Beth El, San Mateo, CA September 8 – 10, 2006
• Scholar-in-Residence, Congregation Har Shalom, Potomac, MD, March 17 – 19, 2006
• Lecture, “Arthur Szyk and the Illustrated Book,” Association of Jewish Librarians Convention, Oakland, CA, June 21, 2005
• Lecture, “Building an American Judaica Collection,” Association of Jewish Librarians Convention, Brooklyn, NY, June 22, 2004
• Lecture, “The Art and Evolution of the Illustrated Jewish Book,” Jewish Community Library, San Francisco, CA, November 10, 1991
• Keynote Address, “A Cartographic Pilgrimage through the Holy Land,” Judah L. Magnes Museum, Berkeley, CA, June 26, 1988
• Lecture, “Torah and analytical comparisons of Aseret ha Dibrot within the Pentateuch,” Simpson College, San Francisco, CA, December 11, 1985

Books

Arthur Szyk

• The Szyk Haggadah, New York: Abrams, 2011
• The New Edition of The Szyk Haggadah, and its companion volume, Freedom Illuminated, Understanding The Szyk Haggadah, Burlingame, CA: Historicana, 2008
• Justice Illuminated: The Art of Arthur Szyk, Chicago: Spertus Institute for Jewish Studies, 1998

Judaica

• Long Live the Land of the Free: A Chronology of Jewish Life in the Americas, Highlighting 350 Years of Jews in the United States, Burlingame, CA: Historicana, 2004^*
• American Judaica: Books, pamphlets, documents, letters, prints by and about Jews in America, Burlingame, CA: Historicana, 1998^*
• The Birth of a Nation: The Jewish People and The Land of Israel, Zion Anniversary Catalogue, Burlingame, CA: Historicana, 1997^*
• Collector’s Haggadah Catalogue, Burlingame, CA: Historicana, 1994^*
• Rabbinic Alumni Journal, New York: Academy for Jewish Religion, 1987

^* Catalogue

Articles

Arthur Szyk

• “Arthur Szyk and the Jewish Book Council,” essay for Jewish Book World, Winter 2011
• “Building Bridges: The Legacy of Polish-Jewish Artist Arthur Szyk, Fighter for Justice and Freedom,” essay in the catalogue Artur Szyk: Dziedzictwo polsko-żydowskiego artysty „Karykatury wojenne”. Krakow: Stradom Dialogue Center, 2011
• “Arthur Szyk: Heraldic Artist” by David F. Phillips. Burlingame: The Arthur Szyk Society, 2010^*
• “Documents as a Palette of Life: The Genealogical Self-Portrait of Arthur Szyk” by Rhoda Miller. Burlingame: The Arthur Szyk Society, 2010^*
• “Arthur Szyk and his Books of Esther,” Hadassah Magazine, February/March 2010
• “Arthur Szyk: Soldier in Art,” essay in the exhibition catalogue Arthur Szyk: Drawing Against National Socialism and Terror. Berlin: Deutsches Historisches Museum, 2008
• “Telling the Story: A History of The Szyk Haggadah,” in Freedom Illuminated: Understanding The Szyk Haggadah. Burlingame: Historicana, 2008
• “The Civil Rights Art of Arthur Szyk” by Paul Von Blum. Burlingame: The Arthur Szyk Society, 2006^*
• “Democracy’s Weapon: Arthur Szyk in America” by Harry Katz. Burlingame: The Arthur Szyk Society, 2005^*
• “Calling Out From the Depths: Arthur Szyk’s ‘De Profundis’ and Holocaust Protest in the United States” by Darlene Miller-Lanning. Burlingame: The Arthur Szyk Society, 2004^*
• “Szyk’s Haggadah: A Timeless Call for Freedom” Washington Jewish Week, Washington, DC, April 20, 2000
• “Justice Illuminated: The Art of Arthur Szyk” [co-authored with Joseph P. Ansell], Biblio Magazine, February 1999
• Newsletters of The Arthur Szyk Society, 1998-Present^*

^* Edited or co-edited by Irvin Ungar

Judaica

• “The Kibbutz Haggadah: A Record of Jewish Life In Modern Times,” AB Bookman’s Weekly, NJ, April 1, 1991
• “Memorial for the 248 Soldiers of the 101st Airborne: A Jewish Response,” The Jewish Bulletin of Northern California, January 3, 1986
• “When Your Child Asks About God,” Pedagogic Reporter, NY, October 1986
• “When Your Child Asks About God,” Peninsula Parent, San Mateo, CA, November 1985
• “From Slavery to Freedom,” Reform Judaism, NY, Fall 1985
• “A Bargain with God,” Reform Judaism, NY, Summer 1984
• “Jewish opinion on voluntary school prayer,” San Mateo County Times, San Mateo, CA, January 29, 1983
• “Rabbi on Skokie: Those who understand will understand,” San Mateo County Times, CA, November 21, 1981
• “The Moral Majority: The impact of ‘religious rightists&rsquo,;” San Mateo County Times, CA, December 6, 1980

Radio, TV & Film Appearances

Arthur Szyk

• “Studio Poland” with Zbigniew Stanczyk, KUSF 90.3 FM, San Francisco, January 2, 2011, on Arthur Szyk [Click to listen]
• “In Every Generation: Remaking the Szyk Haggadah.” Directed by Jim Ruxin, JKR Productions, co-produced by Irvin Ungar (Historicana) and Jim Ruxin (JKR Productions), 2008
• “Arthur Szyk: Soldier in Art.” Directed by Jim Ruxin, JKR Productions, co-produced by Irvin Ungar (Historicana) and Jim Ruxin (JKR Productions). 2006
• “Arthur Szyk: Illuminator.” Marta TV in conjunction with Polish TV, Fall 2005
• “Arthur Szyk’s Earliest Cartoons.” History Detectives for PBS, broadcast, July 18, 2005 on national television
• “The John Rothmann Show,” KGO Newstalk Radio 810 AM, San Francisco, July 7, 2005, on Szyk artwork returning to Poland and upcoming TV special
• “The John Rothmann Show,” KGO Newstalk Radio 810 AM, San Francisco, July 4, 2004, on American Judaica: Highlighting 350 Years of Jews in the United States
• “The Phil Blazer Show” KSCI-TV-Channel 18, Los Angeles; WMBC-Channel 63, New York and vicinity; WAMI-Channel 69, Miami and South Florida, May 16, 2000, on Szyk
• “The John Rothmann Show,” KGO Newstalk Radio 810 AM, San Francisco, January 16, 2000, on Szyk and Martin Luther King, Jr. Day’s work
• “Art Scene with Erika Funke,” WVIA-FM, a National Public Radio affiliate, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, PA, January 8, 2000, on the Szyk exhibition at the University of Scranton Art Gallery

Arthur Szyk

• “Reading Szyk's Cards, ” The Jewish Press.com, November 23, 2012
• “Expert in Judaic studies to host annual lecture Sept. 24 at Skidmore College,” The Saratogian, September 8, 2011
• “Haggadot: Yesterday’s Telling for Today,” Hadassah Magazine, Zelda Shluker, April 2011
• “Arthur Szyk’s Haggadah and Singapore’s Sunken Treasure,” The New York Times, Eve M. Kahn, March 10, 2011
• “Illuminating Arthur Szyk: An Interview with Irvin Ungar,” Voice: AIGA Journal of Design, Steve Heller, November 24, 2010
• “Brush with greatness: Mastery of artist Arthur Szyk on display at S.F. museum,”,j. the Jewish news weekly of Northern California, Dan Pine, December 16, 2010
• “Arthur Szyk: A New Exhibit of the Great Illuminator,” The Huffington Post, Richard Z. Chesnoff, April 12, 2010
• “To Serve My People, Parts I and II,” The Jewish Press, Richard McBee, March 12 and 17, 2010
• “Freedom Song,” The East Bay Express, Anneli Rufus, February 24, 2010
• “An Artist for All Seasons,” The Jerusalem Report, Mordechai Beck, January 18, 2010
• “World War II through the eyes of cartoonist Arthur Szyk,” Pravda, Artur Rudzitsky, August 31, 2009
• “Describing a Scribe,” Forward, Sarah Kessler, April 28, 2009
• “The Jewish caricaturist who drew a one-man battle against Hitler,” Haaretz, A.J. Goldmann, April 22, 2009
• “New Life for Arthur Szyk,” Forward, A.J. Goldmann, April 20, 2009
• “Artysta trzech kultur,”, Nowy Dziennik, Czesław Karkowski, April 17, 2009
• “Everything is Illuminated,” Jewish Exponent [Philadelphia], Robert Leiter, April 9, 2009
• “The Szyk Haggadah,” The National Jewish Post & Opinion [Indianapolis], Miriam Zimmerman, March 18, 2009
• “Berlin Art,” Wall Street Journal, Jeffrey Scott Marcus, December 12, 2008
• “Soldier with a Paintbrush,” Hadassah Magazine, Toby Axelrod, October 2008
• “Arthur Szyk’s Cartoons and a Reckoning with History,” International Herald Tribune, Michael Kimmelman, September 10, 2008
• “A Caricaturist, but No Funny Stuff Here,” The New York Times, Michael Kimmelman, September 8, 2008
• “The Szyk Haggadah, Revived and Illuminated.” The New York Sun, Gabriella Birkner, April 18, 2008
• “The classic Szyk Haggadah becomes a model masterpiece of the Digital Age.” (Los Angeles) Jewish Journal, Tom Tugend, April 18, 2008
• “Szyk Haggadah Goes High-Tech.” (New York) Jewish Week, Sandee Brawarsky, April 16, 2008
• “Drawing on Experience.” Jerusalem Post, Tom Tugend, April 11, 2008
• “New Szyk Haggadah Going for $15,000.” JTA, Tom Tugend, April 8, 2008
• “Szyk Transit” Print Magazine, Steve Heller, February 2008
• “The Szyk Haggadah” Amphora Journal, Rollin Milroy, October 2007
• “Helping preserve art of freedom, Burlingame society keeping alive artist’s illuminating work.” San Mateo County Times, San Mateo, CA, August 15, 2005
• “Exhibit of WWII artist on display in his native Poland.” Carolyn Slutsky, Jewish Telegraphic Agency (JTA), July 25, 2005 and numerous publications throughout United States, August 4, 2005
• “Burlingame Judaica expert working to make Arthur Szyk famous again.” Joshua Brandt, The Jewish Bulletin of Northern California, San Francisco, January 21, 2000
• “Irvin Ungar: Touching History.” Jerry Tallmer, Lifestyles Magazine, New York, Fall 1999

Judaica

• “By the numbers, Burlingame man compiles catalogue with rare American Judaica” by Dan Pine, J. The Jewish News Weekly of Northern California, November 12, 2004
• “Judaica – by the book” by David Bittner, Jewish Journal, Miami Florida, January 9, 1992
• “Israel’s history comes alive in antiquarian’s documents” by Tamar Kaufman, The Jewish Bulletin of Northern California, San Francisco, May 8, 1992
• “Vintage haggadot integrate story of state, Exodus” by Peggy Isaak Gluck, The Jewish Bulletin of Northern California, San Francisco, May 3, 1991
• “Area dealer buys a rare Anne Frank signature” by Peggy Isaak Gluck, The Jewish Bulletin of Northern California, San Francisco, April 6, 1990
• “Knowledge of Judaica prevents ‘fake’ buys” by Peggy Isaak Gluck, The Jewish Bulletin of Northern California, San Francisco, March 3, 1989
• “Rabbi’s business is selling rarities” by Sandra Buarnett, San Mateo Times, CA, March 5, 1988
• “Peninsula rabbi opens new antique Judaica business” by Peggy Isaak Gluck, The Jewish Bulletin of Northern California, San Francisco, November 20, 1987
• “Rabbi Ungar maps out book dealing venture” by W. Thomas Tizard, Boutique & Villager, Burlingame, CA, October 21, 1987
• “’Unity’ Seminary planning national reunion in S.F.” by Winston Pickett, The Jewish Bulletin of Northern California, San Francisco, January 9, 1987
• “Rabbi makes Judaism real for tiny tots on Peninsula” by C.G. Grant, The Jewish Bulletin of Northern California, San Francisco, November 1, 1985
• “Many rabbis blind to ‘1 Jewish people,’ Chevra rabbi says” by Peggy Isaak Gluck, The Jewish Bulletin of Northern California, San Francisco, June 7, 1985

• Board Member and Curator, The Arthur Szyk Society, February 2000 – Present
• Board President, The Arthur Szyk Society, Mar 1997 – January 2000
• David S. Wyman Institute for Holocaust Studies Art & Letters Council, 2005 – Present
• Member, Advisory Board, San Francisco--Krakow Sister Cities Association, 2010 – Present
• Chairman, Alumni Conference, Academy for Jewish Religion, January 18 – 21, 1987
• Member, ABAA (Antiquarian Booksellers’ Association of America), 1991 – Present
• Member, Alumni Association, Academy for Jewish Religion, 1974 – Present
• Member, Northern California Board of Rabbis, 1980 – Present