Library Resources in Jewish Studies

The combined collections of the University library system, including the library of the Herbert D. Katz Center for Advanced Judaic Studies (Katz Center), comprise a source of exceptional richness for Jewish Studies, in general, and for the thought and literature of Judaism (Judaic Studies) in particular.

The Van Pelt collection is especially strong in modern Hebrew literature. Van Pelt also maintains a Judaica/Ancient Near East Seminar Room (on the fourth floor) for heavily used materials in Judaic Studies, including Biblical Studies, and ancient Near Eastern culture. The Henry Charles Lea Collection (Special Collections on the sixth floor) is a rich source for materials on Jews and the Inquisition.

The Library of the University Museum is the major campus repository for works on the anthropology and archaeology of the ancient Near East and the Biblical world, and the Biddle Law Library has a collection on Talmudic law.

The largest component of the University's collection in Jewish Studies can be found at the Herbert D. Katz Center for Advanced Judaic Studies. The general collection at the Katz Center comprises approximately 150,000 volumes, but in addition includes rare books, manuscripts and artifacts. The collection is especially strong in Hebraica and in archival collections of American Judaica.

For questions about the collection, contact Penn's Judaica Collections Curator: Dr. Arthur Kiron.

The Penn library has launched a new website for its Judaica collections, as part of its Area Studies initiative. This website provides an integrated picture of Penn's entire Judaica holdings, services, and resources, both on campus - including the Weigle Judaica and Ancient Near East Seminar Reading Room in Van Pelt - and at the Katz Center library. You will find descriptions of our different print, manuscript and archival collections, links to our multi-media holdings, and information about how to conduct on-line computing in Hebrew and other non-Roman character sets. The new site is located at:
http://www.library.upenn.edu/collections/judaica/

 

Van Pelt Library
3420 Walnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104-6206
(215) 898-7555
For the University of Pennsylvania Van Pelt Library, click here.

Herbert D. Katz Center for Advanced Judaic Studies Library
420 Walnut St.
Philadelphia, PA 19106-3703
(215) 238-1290
The Library is open to UPenn Faculty, Students, and Employees. General Public Admitted by Appointment Only. Please note that a photo ID is necessary. For additional information, or to make an appointment please call: (215) 238-1290. For the University of Pennsylvania Herbert D. Katz Center for Advanced Judaic Studies Library, click here.

Museum Library
3260 South Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104-6324
(215) 898-4021
For the University of Pennsylvania Museum Library, click here.

Biddle Law Library
3460 Chestnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104-3406
(215) 898-7853
For the University of Pennsylvania Biddle Law Library, click here.