The Prof. Louis Ginzberg Microfilm Collection at JTS

The Library of the Jewish Theological Seminary owns nearly eight thousand reels of microfilm, including materials from the JTS collections as well as from over fifty other institutions. These materials comprise manuscripts, rare printed books, archival items as well as nearly 150 full–runs of periodicals (our holdings are listed below).

All microform materials are located in The Library's Helen and Norman Asher Audio Visual Center and must be requested individually (only one film may be paged at a time) and viewed there. For access to the manuscript, archival, periodical, and rare books microfilms, appointments are preferred (call [212] 678–8081) and hours are limited: Monday–Thursday, 11 a.m.–5 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m. until one hour prior to closing; closed Sundays. The A-V room contains one microfilm reader and there is additional access to a reader-printer.

As there are strict legal limitations on copying of manuscripts, access to the microfilm printer must be preceded by formal written permission for copying by the original holding library of the manuscript itself. The Library cannot grant permission to photocopy manuscripts from other institutions. To receive permission to photocopy manuscripts from The Jewish Theological Seminary, email or speak to the librarian for Special Collections on the fifth floor ([212] 678–8973); or via regular mail to the attention of Rabbi J. Schwarzbard.

Permission to photocopy archival material microfilms also requires special permission of Rabbi Schwarzbard and, when applicable, the original holding library.

Requests for copies of entire reels of manuscripts from The Jewish Theological Seminary must be sent to the librarian for Special Collections. Appropriate fees will be assessed at that time (price depends on number of exposures).

Requests for photocopies of parts of reels (maximum of fifty pages) may be sent to The Library after having secured permission from the librarian for Special Collections. Fees for photocopies are thirty-five cents per page plus seven dollars for service and postage.

Some of JTS's specialized collections of manuscripts and other items have been microfilmed and indexed by UMI. UMI–produced Reel Guides to special collections of JTS's manuscripts exist for the following subjects: Bible, liturgy, Kabbalah, philosophy, philology, polemics, very rare books, Incunabula, and other printed book materials. The UMI Reel Guides are located in the Special Reading Room on the fifth floor as well as in the A-V room. Be aware that there are many manuscripts that have not yet been filmed. Always refer to the online catalog record of the JTS manuscript for notes about the appropriate microfilm reel number.

All of JTS's manucripts that are on film are noted in the online catalog records of the manscripts themselves. In the ALEPH record for the manuscript (BROWSE: SPECIAL CALL NUMBER: [TYPE IN] manuscript number) under Full record or Name Tags, there would be a note saying "there is also a copy of this manusript on microfilm, reel # . . . ". Request the public services librarian to retrieve the appropriate reel number. The JTS manuscripts that do not have a corresponding microfilm number have no microfilm available at JTS.

The Library's holdings of major collections of Hebrew manuscripts are listed below. For holdings of other libraries, ask the public services librarian whether JTS owns any reels from a particular collection. Records of other libraries' manuscripts on microfilm are not included in the JTS ALEPH online catalog. For content descriptions of manuscripts from other collections, please refer to the appropriate print catalogs, located in the  Special Reading Room located on the fifth floor, or the online catalog of Hebrew manuscripts (located in libraries around the world) of The Institute oF Microfilmed Hebrew Manuscripts or compare: Aron Freimann, Union catalog of Hebrew manuscripts and their location. New York: American Academy for Jewish Research, 1964–73, 2 v. [v. 1, 1973] +Z6605.H4 F7 REF AT DESK

Finally, The Library does have a card catalog (located in the Lite and Arnold L. Sabin Music Center for easy access) of most microfilm collections that JTS owns, save for some collections indexed in loose–leaf, for which one must contact the Public Services Librarian.

Major Manuscript Collections on Microfilm:

  • Austria
    • Vienna
      • Osteriechische Nationale Bibliotheok
  • France
    • Paris
      • Alliance Israelite
      • Bibliotheque Nationale
  • Germany
    • Frankfurt am Main
      • Stadt- und Universitaetsbibliothek
    • Hamburg
      • Staats- und Universitaetsbibliothek
    • Munich
      • Bayerische Staatsbibliothek
  • Hungary
    • Budapest
      • Magyar Tudomanyos Akademia Konyvtara (Hungarian Academy of Sciences)
      • Kaufmann collection old/new (also available in microfiche)
  • Israel
    • Jerusalem
      • JNUL
      • Schocken
  • Italy
    • Parma De Rossi collection
    • Vatican
  • Poland
    • Warsaw
      • Jewish Historical Institute
  • Russia/FSU
    • Moscow
      • Lenin State Library — Guenzburg old/new
    • St. Petersburg/Leningrad
      • Saltykov-Schedrin Public Library
  • Spain
    • Madrid
      • Biblioteca Real de San Lorenzo de El Escorial
  • United Kingdom
    • Cambridge
      • University Library
    • London
      • British Library
      • Montefiore Collection (microfiche)
    • Oxford
      • Bodleian
  • United States
    • California
      • California State Library
      • Sutro Collection
    • New York
      • Columbia University
      • HUC-JIR
      • Birnbaum Collection
      • The Jewish Theological Seminary
      • Boesky (formerly at JTS)
      • Broadsides
      • JTS manuscripts (includes ENA)
    • Ohio
      • HUC (Cincinnati)
      • Moses Marx cards

Periodicals on Microfilm:

Roman (English, French, and German etc) and Cyrillic character periodicals:

  • Adolf Bruells Populaer Wiseebsschaftliche Monatsblaetter Zur Belehrung (Frankfurt) 1–28 (1888–1908) [3 reels]
  • AJS Newsletter 1–35 (1970–1981) [1 reel]
  • Allgemeine Illustrirte Judenzeitung (1860–1861) [1 reel]
  • Allgemeine Judische Zeitung (Wien) (1929) [1 reel]
  • Allgemeine Judische Rundschau (1907–1910) [1 reel]
  • Allgemeines Archiv des Judenthums (1839–1842) [1 reel]
  • Alliance Review (June 1902) [1 reel]
  • Almanach des Schocken Verlags (Berlin) (1933–1939) [1 reel]
  • American Hebrew (NY) 1–159 (November 1879–April 1950) [44 reels]
  • [American] Israelite (Cincinnati) 1–72 (July 1854–June 1926) [35 reels]
  • American Weekly Jewish News (NY) (March –December 1918)
  • American Jewish News (NY) (December 1918–October 1919) [1 reel]
  • American Jewess 1–9 (April 1895–August 1899) [3 reels]
  • L'ami L'Israel (Strasbourg) (April 1841) [1 reel]
  • Annuaire Israelite pour L'annee du Monde (Paris) (1831) [1 reel]
  • Answer (NY) 1–6 (April 1943–December 1948) [2 reels]
  • Asmonean (NY) (October 1849–June 1858) [4 reels]
  • Ben Chananja, includes: Hamiletische und didaktische Beilage (Szegedin) (1844, 1858–1867) [4 reels]
  • Bene Israel: Annual and Yearbook (Bombay / Junagadh) (1917/1918–1919/1920)
  • Blaeter Fuer Demographie Statistik Und Wirtschaftskunde Der Juden (Berlin) N1–5 (1924–1925) [1 reel]
  • Blau Lajos Talmud tudomanyi tarsulat evkonyve (Budapest) (1933–1940) (Not published 1938–1939)
  • A Blav Lajos zsido Tudomanyos Tarsasag evkonyve (Budapest) (1941) [1 reel]
  • Bet Va'ad la–Hakhamim; Sihot talmide Hakhamim (Rosh Aife Yisrael) [1 reel]
  • Beth Nahrim (Peterson, NJ / Suffern, NY) (1916–33) [1 reel]
  • Brandeis Illustrirter Israelitischer Volkskalender (fur das Jahrder Welt) (Prague) (1881– 1905) [3 reels]
  • Budushchnost (1900–1901) [5 reels]
  • Carmel: Allgemeine illustrite judenzeitung: See Allgemeine
  • Contemporary Jewry v 3–6 (Fall 1976–Winter 1983) [4 reels]
  • Chronique (Paris) (1860–1862): See La Verite Israelite
  • Il corriero israelitico Trieste (1862–1914) [6 reels]
  • L'emancipation Juive (Paris) (1916–1917) [1 reel]
  • Evreiskaia Biblioteka v1–10 (1871–1903) [2 reels]
  • Evreiskii Ezhegodnik (1901–1905) [1 reel]
  • Evreiskoe Obozrienie (Supplement to Russkii Evrei) (January–July 1884) [3 reels]
  • Forschungen des Wissenscheflich – Talmudischer Vereins (Beilage zu Ben Chanaja) (Szegedin) (1866–1867) [1 reel]
  • Le Foyer Israelite (Paris) (1861–62): See La Verite Israelite
  • Frankfurter Rabbinen 1–4 (1882–85) [1 reel]
  • Hebrew News (NY) N 1–8, 10–13 [1 reel]
  • Homiletische und didaktische Beilage zu Ben Chananja (Szegedin): 1866–1867: See Ben Chanaja [4 reels]
  • Illustriete Monat Shefte fur die Gessamten interessen des Judenthum (Wien) (1865–66) [1 reel]
  • Informations Juives (Paris) (1941–42) [1 reel]
  • Illustration Juive (Alexandrie) (1929–31) v1–3 [1 reel]
  • Israel Digest v14–21 (1971–72) [9 reels]
  • Israelitische Annalen (1839–41) [1 reel]
  • Izraelita Magyar Irodalmi Tarsulat Evkonyv (Budapest) (1895–1943, 1948) [10 reels]
  • Jahrbuch fur die judischen Gemeiden Schlesweig–Holsteins (Hamburg) (1929/30–1937/38) [1 reel]
  • Jedidja (Berlin) (1817–33) [1 reel]
  • Jerusalem Post (May 1950 – December 1952) [8 reels] [for previous years: see Palestine Post]
  • Jewish Advance (Chicago) v 1 (June 1878– December 1878) [1 reel]
  • Jewish Chronicle (1841–1998) [231 reels]
  • Jewish Chronicle (Abroad) [6 reels]
  • Jewish Chronicle (General) [4 reels]
  • Jewish Chronicle (Home) [1 reel]
  • Jewish Chronicle (Personalia) (1841–1880) [7 reels]
  • Jewish Chronicle (Provinces) [1 reel]
  • Jewish Chronicle (Specials) [3 reels]
  • Jewish Chronicle: The Voice of Jacobs [2 reels]
  • Jewish Chronicle (Index) (1881–1890) [5 reels]
  • The Jewish Daily Forward (January 1990 – December 1997) [28 reels]
  • The Jewish Exponents v 2–125 no 47 (October 1887 – June 1955) [46 reels]
  • The Jewish Ledger v 20 (December 1904)
  • The Jewish Messenger (January 1857 – December 1902)
  • The Jewish Tribune / The Hebrew Standard (NY, Portland, Oregon) (Feb 1903 – April 1931) [19 reels]
  • Journal of Bible and Religion (Boston) v1–16 (1933–48) [3 reels]
  • Der Jude: eine Monatsschrift (Berlin) Jahrg 1–10 [3 reels]
  • Judusche Deutche (1802) [1 reel]
  • Judische Familien – Forschung (Berlin) (December 1924– December 1938) [1 reel]
  • Die Judische Press (Berlin) (January 1872 – December 1923) [19 reels]
  • Judisches Archiv: Mitteilungen (Wien) (1915–17) [1 reel]
  • Judisches Archiv: Zeitschrift (Wien) (1927–29) [1 reel]
  • Judisches Jahrbuch fur die Schweiz – Annuaire Israelite Pour la Suisse (Luzern, Basel) (1916–1922) [1 reel]
  • Judisches Nachrichtenblatt (Prag) (1939) [1 reel]
  • Judische Runds Chav (Berlin) (1924–38) [11 reels]
  • Judishes Litteraturblatt (Magdenburg, Berlin) (1872–1916) v1–35 [3 reels]
  • Jutrzenka (Warsawa) (1861–63) [1 reel]
  • Kwartalnik (Warsawa) (1912–13) [1 reel]
  • Ha–Lekah: See Maanblad voor leer en leven des jodendoms
  • Lieder Magazin (Magazine of Songs) (NY) (1893–1911) [2 reels]
  • Le Lien d'Israel (Mulhouse) (1855–61; lacks 1857 no 9, 1860 nos 5–7, 8, pp 370–385) [3 reels]
  • Maanblad Voor Leer en leven des Jodendoms (Rotterdam) (1910–12) [1 reel]
  • Magazin fur die Wissenschaft des Judenthums (Berlin) (1874–93) [2 reels]
  • Magazin fur judische Geschichte und literatur (Berlin) (1874–1875): See Magazin fur die Wissenschaft des judenthums
  • Magyar Rabbik (1905) [1 reel]
  • Magyar – zsido Szemie (Budapest) (1884–1941) [10 reels]
  • Makkabi (Odessa) (November 1917 – July 1918) [1 reel]
  • Mittellungen zur judischen volkskunde 1–32 (1898–1929) [1 reel]
  • Das Morgenland Basel (1838–1843) [1 reel]
  • Occident 1–25 [1 reel]
  • Ost und West (Berlin) 1–23 [4 reels]
  • Outlook: See Women's League Outlook
  • Palestine Post (January 1948–April 1950) [7 reels] [for continuation: see Jerusalem Post]
  • Perezhitoe (St Petersburg) (1909–1913) [1 reel]
  • Razsviet (St Petersburg) 1–9 (1907–1913) [4 reels]
  • Reform Advocate (Chicago) 1–10 (February 1891–February 1896) [5 reels]
  • Ruskii Evrei (Moscow) (1879–1884, 1915) [6 reels]
  • Sabbath Feier (Manheim) (1859–1860) [1 reel]
  • Sion (July 1861–January
  •  1862) [1 reel]
  • Tidschrift van de Maatschapis to not der israelieten in Nederland (Amsterdam) (1849–1853) [1 reel]
  • Tradition (NY) 1–24 (1958–1984) [6 reels]
  • La Tribune Juive 163–186 (1939) [2 reels]
  • La Verite Israelite (Paris) (1860–1862) (supplements: Chronique le Foyer Israelite) [2 reels]
  • The Voice of Jacob (London) (1841–1848) [2 reels]
  • United Synagogue Review 26 (Spring 1973–Winter 1974)
  • Uriel (1895) [1 reel]
  • Voshkod (weekly) (1882–1906) [9 reels]
  • Voshkod (monthly) 1–26 (1881–1906) [24 reels]
  • Wachter und Anzeiger (Aug 1902) [1 reel]
  • Waechter am erie (Aug 1852) [1 reel]
  • Women's League Outlook (Sept 1930–Summer 1972) (+ publications) [6 reels]

Hebrew and Yiddish Periodicals (most are incomplete runs):

  • דאס אידישע ליכט
  • (אידישע געזעט ( ייבו
  • אידישע טאגבלאט
  • אמעריקאנער
  • בית ועד לחכמים / שיחות תלמידי חכמים / ראש אלפי ישראל
  • ההד
  • ועד חכמים / שערי ציון / אהל תורה
  • היום
  • דער וועקער
  • די חזנים וועלט / די שוהל
  • החלוץ
  • ירחון החסנים
  • שערי תורה / דגל התורה
  • הלאם
  • די נאציאן
  • המגיד
  • מגיד מישרים
  • המדבר
  • מזרח ומערב
  • המליץ
  • נר מערבי
  • נרות שבת
  • הסניגור
  • עמעס
  • פאלקס-צייטונג
  • הפסגה
  • פרח
  • פריינד
  • השחר