Research: The Lillian Goldman Reading Room
Reading Room
Mon-Thurs: 9:30am-4:30pm
Genealogy Institute
Mon-Thurs: 9:30am-4:30pm
Free Exhibit Spaces
Sun–Thurs: 9:30am–4:30pm
Fri: 9:30am-3:30pm
Sat: Closed
Ruth's Bookstore
Sun–Thurs: 10:30am-6:30pm
Fri: 10:30am-4:00pm
Make sure to check our holiday closures prior to visiting.
Last entry to the Center for Jewish History Exhibitions, Reading Room, and the Genealogy Institute is 30 minutes before closing. The last call to page items in the Reading Room and Genealogy Institute is 3pm.
The Center for Jewish History welcomes researchers, scholars, and visitors of all backgrounds. The Lillian Goldman Reading Room, often described as the heart of the Center for Jewish History, is open to researchers interested in exploring the diverse history of the Jewish people through the collections housed at the Center.
The Reading Room is open Monday through Thursday from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm. Appointments are recommended, though walk-ins are accommodated, based on availability. Reservations can be made through your research account. Appointments must be made at least 3 days in advance.
The Reading Room shelves offer reference texts as well as all major publications of the Center’s partner organizations. Archive and library collections at the Center consist of over 500,000 volumes in multiple languages from many time periods, as well as over 100 million documents, including organizational records and personal papers, photographs, multimedia recordings, posters, art, and artifacts. In addition, the Reading Room has developed an extensive electronic resource library.
For tips and information about conducting research at the Center and advice on commonly consulted collections, please see our FAQ page HERE.