Mendel Uminer, a Brooklyn-based bibliophile known for his extensive personal library, is facing eviction from his apartment after building management cited safety concerns over the accumulation of books. The dispute arose after Uminer received a formal notice this past winter, warning that his collection violated tenancy obligations by creating a fire hazard through the overaccumulation of combustible materials.
Uminer's apartment, filled floor to ceiling with stacks of books gathered from thrift shops, dealers, and online purchases, had become a unique living space where he engaged in discussions ranging from foreign affairs to Greek poetry. Despite the building management’s insistence that the volume of books constituted a significant fire risk, Uminer rejects the label of hoarder, characterizing his collection as an essential part of his cultural and intellectual life.
After ignoring the initial notice, eviction proceedings were initiated, prompting Uminer to challenge the case in court. Last month, he was observed surrounded by his extensive library, which includes works such as "The Russian Theater After Stalin," "The Kurdish Question in Iraq," and poetry by Abraham Reisen, a Yiddish writer. As klezmer music played, Uminer expressed that while his library might seem excessive to some, it would not be unusual in a rabbinic household, emphasizing that reading is deeply embedded in his cultural identity.
Raised in the Hasidic community of Crown Heights, Brooklyn, Uminer's upbringing was steeped in Yiddish language and Orthodox Jewish tradition. He grew up speaking Yiddish with his grandparents and was immersed in the teachings of Lubavitcher rabbis. His father, Isaac, a devout real estate broker, shared a love of Torah study with him. However, Uminer's interests extended beyond religious texts; by age 12, he was already reading Russian literature, including Dostoyevsky.
During his teenage years, Uminer attended a rabbinical seminary, where his daily routine involved intense study of Talmudic texts in Aramaic, Hebrew, and Yiddish, often beginning early in the morning and continuing into nights of spirited debate. He describes himself as both devoted and defiant during this period, choosing to read widely and form his own opinions rather than adhering strictly to prescribed texts.
“If I form an opinion, and there are books saying the opposite, I need to read them all, to know if I’m justified,” Uminer explained. For him, learning and continual intellectual growth are paramount. Though the eviction threat has led him to consider halting the expansion of his collection, he remains committed to his pursuit of knowledge and hopes to continue his literary endeavors, including the potential launch of a magazine.
Uminer's case highlights tensions between personal lifestyle choices and safety regulations in urban housing, as well as the cultural significance individuals assign to their private collections. The court’s decision on whether his library constitutes a fire hazard or protected personal property remains pending.