After years of accumulating an extensive personal library, Mendel Uminer has moved out of his long-time Manhattan studio on East 65th Street, marking the end of a significant chapter in his life as a dedicated book collector and cultural enthusiast.
Uminer, who grew up in a Brooklyn yeshiva environment, began his intellectual journey deeply immersed in classical literature and Jewish texts. However, in his early twenties, he distanced himself from the religious path he was raised on. "It dawned on me I wasn't as much of a true believer as I thought I was," Uminer said, reflecting on his decision to leave behind traditional religious study prior to his ordination. Influenced by the literary and cultural milieu of New York City’s Greenwich Village and inspired by writers he met at Caffe Reggio, he instead pursued secular studies at Columbia University, focusing on film and philosophy.
His mother, Dina Uminer, noted that his turning away from orthodoxy was not unexpected. “He was always curious... a little bit of knowledge was never enough for him,” she said. After graduating at 27, Uminer lived in Paris for some time, absorbing the city’s rich literary and political environment. He frequented book stands along the Seine and engaged with French journals such as Nouvelle Revue Française, which he credits with shaping his approach to writing and cultural criticism.
Back in New York, Uminer launched the Notarikon Review, a journal intended to showcase a variety of voices, including those with divergent views. The debut issue, set for release later this year, will feature fiction, essays, and translations including work by Julia Kornberg, Hayley Jean Clark, and a Yiddish short story by Abraham Reisen. His editorial meetings, conducted informally in his Upper East Side apartment, underscore his commitment to fostering lively intellectual exchange.
Throughout his years in the East 65th Street studio, Uminer amassed an extensive, often overwhelming collection of texts, ranging from ancient Jewish manuscripts to works on philosophy and art. Israel Mizrahi, owner of Mizrahi Bookstore in Marine Park, Brooklyn, described Uminer as possessing an exceptional thirst for knowledge. “He understands that physical books are the only way we can truly retain knowledge,” Mizrahi said, noting the depth of Uminer’s expertise.
However, Uminer’s accumulation of books eventually created friction with his landlord, the Hakim Organization, a company associated with real estate magnate Kamran Hakim. After months of legal disputes over the condition and clutter in his apartment, Uminer decided to leave. Representatives for the Hakim Organization and the building’s management declined to comment.
On the final day of his residency, Uminer’s friends assisted with packing hundreds of volumes amid a sweltering heatwave that gave way to a sudden rainstorm. Despite the physical demands, the group maintained spirited conversations spanning literature, art, and global politics. The gathering ended on a hopeful note as Uminer shared news of moving to a larger apartment, suggesting room for an even more expansive library ahead.
“Mendel lives in his mind,” said Katya Danziger, a Columbia art history student and friend. “And he can take that with him anywhere.”