Program areas at LBI
Library - the library of the Leo Baeck Institute is internationally recognized as the most comprehensive repository for books documenting the history and culture of german-speaking jewry. Over 80,000 volumes and 900 periodical titles provide important primary and secondary material. Rich in rarities ranging from early 16th century writings, to moses mendelssohn and heinrich heine, and first editions and dedication copies of works by more recent prominent writers, many of its volumes were salvaged from famous jewish libraries that were confiscated and dispersed by the nazis. Most of the collection deals with central european jewry during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. (continued on sched o)(continued from part iii 4a) it also includes material dating back as far as the 16th century and is as current as the jewish population in germany today. The focus of the collection is on the diverse culture of german-speaking jewry, especially in the arts, sciences, literature, philosophy, and religion.
Arts and exhibits - in addition to the archival documents and books held by the Institute, the collections include over 6,000 three-dimensional objects. Over one-half of the art and object collections are works created by german-jewish artists and/or brought out of germany by refugees. The balance of the materials are objects that the families found important to take out of germany, including religious items, military medals, photo albums, and much more. The Institute uses these objects in exhibitions when telling the story of german-speaking jewry.
Archives - the Leo Baeck Institute archives is the outstanding collection of original documents of its kind. Individuals, families, and organizations have deposited their documents at the lbi. Family papers, community histories, and business and public records date back centuries and touch upon virtually every phase of german-jewish life. A unique collection of over 2,000 memoirs offers rare insights into the lives of german jews from all walks of life from 1790 to the post-war era.