What is the Universal Yiddish Library (UYL)?

The UYL is a digital crossroads uniting four institutions: the Yiddish Book Center, the National Library of Israel, YIVO, and the New York Public Library. Our mission is to open up the rich, vibrant world of Yiddish literature to a global audience, transcending geographical boundaries and uniting Yiddish enthusiasts from all corners of the world.

Who is UYL for?

This innovative platform offers unparalleled access to a wealth of Yiddish books, harnessing advanced Optical Character Recognition (OCR) technology to make thousands of texts fully searchable. From celebrated literary classics to less-known gems, these works come alive in the digital realm, offering a comprehensive and easily accessible resource for researchers, educators, students, and anyone interested in Yiddish language and culture.

What will you find at UYL?

As well as serving as an expansive digital repository, we provide direct links to the original materials hosted on our partner institutions' websites. This feature allows you to delve deeper into the context of these works and explore the diverse collections of each institution.

Thank you for visiting!

Join us as we celebrate and preserve the legacy of Yiddish literature, illuminating its timeless relevance and inspiring new generations of readers. Welcome to your virtual Yiddish library. Explore, discover, and connect with the heart of Yiddish culture.

Major support for the Universal Yiddish Library has been generously provided by

• David Berg Foundation
• The Abby J. and David Cohen Family Foundation
• David and Barbara B. Hirschhorn Foundation
• National Endowment for the Humanities
• Michael (z”l) and Linda J. Schmelzer
• Robert and Nina Schor
• Josh Weston

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