The Dorot Jewish Division was established as a distinct collection with funding contributed by Jacob Schiff in 1897, just two years after the formation of The New York Public Library. Abraham S. Freidus, cataloger of the Astor Library's rich collection of Judaica, was appointed the Division's first chief and presided over its rapid growth for twenty five years.
Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street
First Floor
Room 111
New York, NY 10018
Day | Hours |
---|---|
Monday: | 10 AM–5:45 PM |
Tuesday: | 10 AM–7:45 PM |
Wednesday: | 10 AM–7:45 PM |
Thursday: | 10 AM–5:45 PM |
Friday: | 10 AM–5:45 PM |
Saturday: | 10 AM–5:45 PM |
Sunday: | CLOSED |
About the Division

Visiting the Collection
Can researchers access the collection without an appointment?
Patrons are encouraged to book an appointment to access materials in the Dorot Jewish Division. Same-day appointments can be made in person pending availability.
Are research appointments required to access the collection onsite?
No, although we recommend that patrons contact dorotjewish@nypl.org to arrange to see materials from the collection.
Can I book an appointment to speak with a librarian about my research or on the best ways to get started?
Patrons are welcome to book a consultation with one of our librarians to discuss their research projects and to prepare for a visit to the Library. You do not need to have a consultation before your visit to the Dorot Jewish Division.
What else do researchers need to know about accessing the collection?
Use the catalog to browse collections that may be useful to you in order to request them for your visit. Some collections are stored offsite and require 2–3 days for delivery.
Who can researchers contact with further questions?
Please email us at dorotjewish@nypl.org with any additional queries or fill out this form: Ask a Question
Request a Class Visit

Our staff welcomes students and instructors to explore the collections and resources at our landmark 42nd Street building. We work with educators to design class visits that use the Library's remarkable collections to foster creative inquiry, build critical thinking and information literacy skills, and inspire wonder and excitement around the process of research. Learn more.
Featured
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From Our Blogs
Check out blogs from our expert librarians of the Dorot Jewish Division.
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Digital Collections
Interact with digitized items from the Dorot Jewish Division.
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Research Guides
Explore specialized lists, indexes, bibliographies, and more.
Events
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Next Steps in Jewish Genealogy: Exploring Jewish Resources
Wednesday, December 6 | 1 PM