An Enduring Legacy: A letter of thanks from BAR’s publisher

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BAR and its publisher, the Biblical Archaeology Society (BAS), are now 50 years old! It’s a milestone that any organization would find worth celebrating.

And so we celebrate with this issue; we celebrate with a special dinner party at Bible and Archaeology Fest in Boston this November; and, most importantly, we celebrate with you, the readers who have made this moment possible. We are so grateful to you, not only for your subscriptions, but also for your ongoing engagement with the fascinating world of biblical archaeology—the lifeblood that keeps BAR fresh, vibrant, and healthy.

Over the past few months, I’ve been thinking a lot about what enables entities to endure. Like every organization, BAS has had its touch-and-go moments. My favorite of these is from the early days, when BAR’s subscriber file—all 4,000 names—was on paper cards, one per subscriber. On this occasion, the printer picked up the names, but didn’t properly secure the back of his truck. Around one of Washington, D.C.’s many traffic circles, the truck hit a bump, the back flew open, and three of the four boxes fell out. It was expensive to have any backup of data back then; the boxes contained the only copy of the file. All seemed lost! Without its subscribers, BAR might have ceased publication.

However, Susan Laden—BAR’s longest-serving Publisher—had failed to throw out the old subscriber file from the previous mailer. From that garbage—literally scraps of paper shoved into paper bags—she was able to reconstruct most of the file. It was a pivotal moment for BAR’s survival—the first of many. Over time, such moments become organizational myths: tales of survival that strengthen internal bonds and bolster the organization’s sense of validity.

But this wasn’t simple destiny. It took luck and hard work to get BAR past that particular speed bump. At so many points along the way, the people running and working for BAS put in the hard work and resourcefulness necessary for BAR to survive. It is an important reminder about the institutions we personally care about: Our efforts so often are what make the difference.

And you, the reader, have been most critical of all. From the very first issue, you have responded, not only with your subscriptions, but with your engagement. At first, it was letters to the editor, in dialogue with the discoveries, controversies, and new understandings of the cultural and religious past of the lands of the Bible. BAS even published a book titled Please Cancel My Subscription! celebrating the back-and-forth style of mutual learning that has come from BAR’s many letters to the editor.

In the 21st century, this engagement has expanded to comments on our blog posts at Bible History Daily (biblicalarchaeology.org/blog) and participation in seminars and tours, whether in person or online. BAR is not only BAS’s flagship publication; it is the cornerstone of a community of interest that is sustained by your engagement and support.

Please continue aiding the most important institutions in your life. It is a profound honor for all of us at the Biblical Archaeology Society to have been one of those institutions for 50 years. And it is our intention to make sure we continue to deserve your interest and support for the next 50 and beyond.—JONATHAN LADEN