MSt in Jewish Studies: Facilities for students

Library resources

The Centre’s Leopold Muller Memorial Library is housed in two converted stone barns. The basis of the library was laid in 1974, when the Centre acquired the lifetime collection of the leading bibliographer of Modern Hebrew literature, Getzel Kressel (1911-1986). Assembled over a period of four decades, the collection, specialised mainly in the areas of Jewish history and Hebrew literature, comprises some 30,000 Hebrew volumes and pamphlets and an archive containing 400,000 newspaper cuttings mostly from the Hebrew press.

A significant addition to the holdings was the library of Gedalyah Elkoshi (1910-1988), which was acquired in 1991. This collection contains some 17,000 books, and constitutes a basic and varied library in Jewish studies and Hebrew literature.

A further development was the creation of a Centrum Bibliographicum. Building on the already substantial holdings in the field, the library with the assistance of the Catherine Lewis Foundation has supplemented its reference and bibliographic literature in all areas of Hebrew and Jewish studies. As a Bibliographic Centre, the Leopold Muller Memorial Library provides an unparalleled resource for bio-bibliographic and literary-historical research.

Thanks to the ongoing support of the Catherine Lewis Foundation the Library holds a collection more than 600 Yizkor Books, the largest unified and open-access collection of this literature in Europe. As memorials to Jewish communities destroyed in the Holocaust, Yizkor Books are indispensable sources of information regarding Jewish communities in Eastern and Central Europe.

The most important collection of the Library is the Montefiore Book Collection, which, thanks to a munificent grant from the Foyle Foundation, was acquired in 2004. The Montefiore Library, initiated by Sir Moses Montefiore (1784-1885), the most prominent figure in 19th century Anglo-Jewry, is one of the most important collections in the UK and the principal resource for the study of the relation between Jews and non-Jews in England and on the continent, in particular during the 18th and 19th century. Being enriched by the library of the “father of the Science of Judaism” Leopold Zunz, it has become one of the most important collections in the world.

The main sections of the library are: Bible, Bibliography, History of the Jewish People, Holocaust, Israel Judaism, Modern Hebrew Literature, Yizkor Books, Zionism.

Read more about the Library.

The principal library of the University of Oxford is the Bodleian Library that contains collections of manuscripts and printed books. The Bodleian’s collections of Hebrew and Yiddish books and manuscripts are unrivalled. MSt students will also find the Oriental Institute Library, which contains Hebrew (mainly Biblical), Jewish, Islamic and other oriental works, a great resource.

"The MSt in Jewish Studies course is an outstanding opportunity both for academics and amateurs. The world class professors and rigorous Oxford standards guarantee deep understanding of subject matter, while excellent advising and small class sizes allow for personalised teaching to a variety of students. The academic program offers a variety of classes, allowing students to delve deeply into areas of focus or dabble in subjects of interest. Intense language study promises a challenging and rewarding mastery of Yiddish or Modern or Biblical Hebrew, and dissertation research offers students close advising and the chance to produce an informed and instructive work that may assist in later research. Academics aside, the chance to take part in Oxford’s academic, social, and cultural activities is not to be missed (not to mention proximity to London), and the lovely student lodging at Yarnton Manor offers the rare opportunity of living in a beautiful and historic estate in pastoral England. Additionally, the faculty and staff of OCHJS demonstrate a sincere concern for their students, and the intimate settings of the program precipitate a close-knit community. Students in my program, whether arriving alone or with a spouse and children, found tremendous social and academic support in one another, spending countless dinners, outings, or study nights together. It was a privilege to take part in this superb program, and I cannot recommend it more highly."

Rebecca Cain, Student 2006-2007

"I had the privilege to receive a scholarship and read for the MSt in Hebrew and Jewish Studies in Oxford. I came to Yarnton with the intention of studying Judaism in the ancient and medieval period and found a variety of interesting courses in these subjects. The academic programme was very demanding. The courses were given by the most qualified teachers and professors who were there for me also when I needed counselling and feedback for my research. I was impressed by the general hospitality of the Manor’s staff and the willingness to assist students, on the part of both the administration and the maintenance. I recommend this programme to any student who wishes to specialise in Jewish studies or enhance their Jewish-studies-related-research in a short period of time."

Avital Erez, Student 2002-2003