A brief history

The history of The Studia Philonica Annual goes back to 1971, when a number of American scholars established The Philo Institute in Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A. The founding members of the Institute were:

Officers
- Robert G. Hamerton-Kelly, Director
- Earle Hilgert, Associate Director
- Don S. Hasty, Treasurer
Honorary consultants
- W. D. Davies
- Samuel Sandmel
Members
- David M. Hay
- Alan Howe
- Jean Laporte
- Burton L. Mack
- Alan Mendelson
- Merrill P. Miller
- Birger A. Pearson
- Jonathan Z. Smith
- Abraham Terian
- Herold D. Weiss

In 1972 the first issue of the publication of the Institute, Studia Philonica, made its appearance. Its first page should be quoted in its entirety:

Studies in rabbinical literature, early Christianity and the origins of Gnosticism have indicated with increasing clarity the significance of the Hellenistic synagogue. It constituted the religious milieu in which many of the theological concerns and language forms common to these three religious expressions were first molded and against which further developments within them are to be understood. The possibility of divergent theological traditions within the Hellenistic synagogue regarding the interpretation of Torah gives rise to an entire spectrum of questions as to their origins, their interrelationships, their functions within the community and the hermeneutical methodologies they reflect. What theological and religious concerns were there which could have informed postures toward the Gentile world daring enough to help us account for the undeniable influence of Judaism on other significant religious expressions of this period?

The works of Philo of Alexandria are our most significant witness to the Hellenistic synagogue and the hermeneutical cross currents that flowed through it. But the nature of that theological ferment is still not clear to us. The reason this is so has largely to do with our failure to understand the factors that informed Hellenistic Torah exegesis. Analysis of the Philonic material is needed with regard to sources; such analysis may reveal the existence of contrasting or conflicing traditions within the synagogue essential to our understanding of broader religious developments in the Hellenistic world. In spite of the exceptionally rich history of Philo scholarship, relatively little has been done in regard to source analysis, although the few attempts that have been made give promise.

The Philo Institute was established in 1971 to encourage such basic research in the Philonic corpus in particular, and to promote scholarship in Hellenistic Judaism in general. An initial working session of the Institute was held at McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago, June 2325, 1971 and a second session June 2829, 1972. These meetings have served as a forum for discussion and evaluation of the research projects undertaken by the members of the Institute. A further project of the Institute is the development of a bibliographical center for Philo studies.

With this issue, Studia Philonica makes its début as a publication of the Philo Institute. While in the first instance an organ for publication of research by the members of the Institute, bibliography, abstracting and reviewing of current scholarship also constitute a significant part of the its concern; indeed its pages stand open to all engaged in research in Hellenistic Judaism.

Burton L. Mack, Earle Hilgert, editors

Under the editorship of Burton L. Mack and Earle Hilgert six issues of Studia Philonica were produced:

Volume I 1972, 96 pages
Volume II 1973, 80 pages
Volume III 1974-75, 132 pages
Volume IV 1976-77, 116 pages
Volume V 1978, 149 pages (with index to vols I-V)
Volume VI 1979-80, 224 pages

Back issues of Studia Philonica are available for purchase.

Due to developments in the academic careers of leading members of the Institute activities lessened in the 1980's and the Institute was disbanded on the retirement of Earle Hilgert from McCormick Theological Seminary in 1990.

In 1983 on the initiative of Burton L. Mack a Seminar on Philo, Hellenistic Judaism and the New Testament was commenced as part of the annual meetings of the Society for New Testament Studies. This continued, first under the leadership of Burton Mack and Peder Borgen, later of David Hay and Ronald Williamson until 1995.

In 1984 under the leadership of Earle Hilgert the Philo of Alexandria Seminar (or Group or Consultation) was established as part of the Annual meeting of the Society of Biblical Literature held in North America. At the 1988 meeting in Chicago it was decided to revive Studia Philonica under the new name The Studia Philonica Annual. Through the kindness of Jacob Neusner and Jonathan Z. Smith it was arranged that the Annual would be published in the Brown Judaic Series under the editorship of Jonathan Z. Smith. The first issue of the Annual appeard in 1989 under the editorship of David Runia with his associate editors David Hay and David Winston. The reader is referred to the introductory article by Burton Mack which tells more about the history and aims of the new Journal.

In 1992 a number of changes were made to the organization of the Journal. David Hay stepped down as associate editor in order to become chair of the Advisory board. In his place Alan Mendelson became associate editor. The editorial team was strengthened by the appointment of Gregory E. Sterling as Book Review editor. Moreover Shaye Cohen became the editor of Brown Judaic Series responsible for the Annual.

Further changes were made in 1999. Gregory E. Sterling joined David T. Runia as chief editor while Alan Mendelson became the Book Review Editor. In 2002, Hindy Najman took over the task of Book Review Editor.

The Studia Philonica Annual works in close cooperation with the Philo of Alexandria Seminar of the Society of Biblical Literature, now under the chairmanship of Thomas H. Tobin, S. J. (Loyala University, Chicago). Papers presented in the Seminar are often published in the Annual. Scholars wishing to have more information about the Philo of Alexandria Seminar are advised to take up contact with Thomas H. Tobin, Department of Theology, Loyola University of Chicago, 6525 North Sheridan Road, Chicago IL 60626-5385, U.S.A., email ThoTobin@aol.com.