About the JCI Digital Library
The JCI Digital Library at jci-digital.org is an invaluable resource for scholars, students, and anyone interested in German-Jewish history and thought. Established in March 1992 at Bar-Ilan University in Israel, the JCI Library honors the legacy of Rabbi Dr. Joseph Carlebach and the scholarly work of the institute's founder, Prof. Dr. Miriam Gillis-Carlebach.
Key Features:
- Over 8,000 books, journals, and research materials
- Content in German, English, and Hebrew
- Original manuscripts, historical publications, and modern scholarly research
- Personal papers and archives from prominent German-Jewish figures
- Digitized rare prints and historical documents spanning 150+ years
Primary Focus Areas:
- German-Jewish history and religious thought
- Jewish philosophy, culture, and education
- Holocaust studies (Schoah)
- Hebrew language studies
Accessing the Website
Visit jci-digital.org using any modern web browser. The website is accessible worldwide and does not require registration for basic browsing.
When you arrive at the homepage, you'll find:
- Welcome Banner - Introduction to the JCI Digital Library mission
- Quick Links to major sections: About the Institute, Research Archive, Digitized Materials, User Guides
- Latest News and Events - Current workshops, anniversaries, and commemorations
- Featured Collections - Highlighted archival materials and recent additions
- Digital Collection Highlights - Quick access to recently added materials
Collections Overview
Featured Archive collections:
JCI Reference Library
Prof. Dr. Miriam Gillis-Carlebach's Research Archive
Rabbi Dr. Joseph Zvi Carlebach Collection
Carlebach Family Papers
Digitized materials
DIGCAT - Books, Articles, Archival materials
The digitized materials catalog provides:
- Full-text searchable documents where available
- High-resolution scans of original materials
- Metadata descriptions for each item
- Direct links to PDF and image files
JCI Publications
- Monographs
- Edited Volumes
- International Conference Proceedings
- Magazine Articles, Newspaper clippings
Photographs and Visual Materials
- Historical photographs
- Family portraits
- Educational and institutional images
H-Gallery (Hebrew Manuscripts)
A specialized gallery offering selected Hebrew manuscripts, historical printed materials in Hebrew, rabbinic writings from Germany, representing 100 years of German-Jewish rabbinic scholarship.
Browsing Collections
By Category:
Navigate through organized sections: Notebooks and Personal Papers, Rabbinic Manuscripts, Publications, and Photographs.
By Person/Family:
Explore collections organized by individual scholars, rabbis, and families associated with German-Jewish history.
By Time Period:
Materials span from the mid-19th century through the post-Holocaust era.
Viewing Documents
Supported Formats:
- PDF files for books, manuscripts, and documents
- High-resolution images for photographs and manuscripts
- Some materials available in multiple formats
How to Access:
- Navigate to the desired collection
- Click on individual items to view details
- Use "VIEW" or "DIGITAL LIBRARY" links to access full documents
- PDFs can be viewed in-browser or downloaded
Citation Information:
Each digital item includes metadata for proper citation: author/creator information, date of creation, archive collection reference, and physical location (if applicable).
Language Considerations:
Materials are available in:
- German - Primary language for many historical documents
- Hebrew - Religious texts and rabbinic manuscripts
- English - Modern scholarship and translations
Contact Information
Contact the institute directly via email for guidance on specific collections, research inquiries, access to non-digitized materials, and collaboration opportunities.
Join us for international workshops and seminars, conferences on Jewish intellectual history, collaborative programs with German-speaking universities, and public lectures and educational events. Programs are offered in German, English, and Hebrew.
For Research into Religious Jewish Thought in Germany
Department of Jewish Philosophy
Bar-Ilan University, Israel
Prof. Dr. George Y. Kohler, Director
Original German Website: www.jci.co.il [1996]
Bar-Ilan University: jphilosophy.biu.ac.il [2024]
JCI Library and Archive: jci-digital.org [2025]
Email: [email protected]
Social Media: facebook.com/jci.co.il
Best Practices
1. Start Broad, Then Narrow
Begin with the Collections overview, identify relevant time periods or figures, then drill down to specific documents.
2. Use Multiple Entry Points
Browse by topic, person, or time period. Check News section for newly digitized materials. Explore Featured Collections on the homepage.
3. Document Your Research
Note collection names and document references, save important links or download PDFs, and record metadata for citations.
4. Check for Updates
The digital library is continuously expanding. Visit the News section regularly and follow their Facebook page for announcements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is registration required to access materials?
A: No, the digital library is freely accessible online.
Q: Can I download documents?
A: Yes, most PDF documents can be downloaded for personal research use.
Q: How do I cite materials from the archive?
A: Include the collection name, item title, date, and reference to the JCI Digital Archive (jci-digital.org).
Q: Are all JCI materials digitized?
A: No, digitization is ongoing. Some materials are only available in physical form at Bar-Ilan University.
Q: What if I need help reading German or Hebrew documents?
A: Consider consulting with scholars in German-Jewish studies or using translation services. The institute may also be able to provide guidance.
Q: Can I contribute materials to the archive?
A: Contact the institute directly to discuss potential donations of relevant historical materials.