The 140,000 fragments of Hebrew and Jewish literature and documents rescued from the The Ben Ezra Synagogue (112k) in Cairo cover every aspect of life in the Mediterranean area a thousand years ago. The active programme of conservation and research being conducted at Cambridge University Library, where they are housed, is leading to all manner of exciting discoveries about Jewish religious, communal and personal life, Hebrew culture, settlement in the land of Israel and relations with Muslims and Christians from as early as the ninth and tenth centuries. Only by the attraction of additional external support can the completion of the current projects be assured.

• More information
• Meet the staff
• Our newsletter, Genizah Fragments
• A brief bibliography
• Going for GOLD

Frequently asked questions

How can I receive a copy of the newsletter?

How can I help the Unit in its work?

How can I visit the Genizah?

I wish to study items from the Genizah, how can I gain access to the collection?

How do I obtain permission to publish a Genizah fragment in a scholarly article or book?

Where is the University Library?

How can I receive a copy of the newsletter?

Send your name and postal address to the Taylor-Schechter Genizah Research Unit, Cambridge University Library, West Road, Cambridge, CB3 9DR, England; or by email to: genizah@lib.cam.ac.uk and we will place you on the mailing list. There is no charge for this service, though readers not already supporting the Unit are asked to help ensure the continuity of the Unit's projects by making a small, regular gift. Contributions may be made to "University of Cambridge" or to "Cambridge in America", as explained below.

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How can I help the Unit in its work?

Last year's budget for work on the Taylor-Schechter Genizah Collection was in the region of £150,000 ($240,000). The cost was met by the University Library, with the generous support of a number of external bodies, philanthropic foundations and interested individuals. Without such support many important aspects of the Unit's work would not be able to continue.

To maintain its present activities, the Taylor-Schechter Collection will need to raise the sum of £800,000 ($1,280,000) over the next five years. To expand important aspects of its work, and to fund some exciting new initiatives, will require much larger sums.

The Collection welcomes support from all interested foundations, institutions and individuals. This support may be for any aspect of the programme, may be designated for a particular number of years, and may be for any amount. The Library has a number of major projects relating to the Genizah Collection that require substantial funding and that may provide naming opportunities.

Suggested ways in which more modest support may be expressed are:

• By a grant of £20,000 ($32,000) towards the cost of engaging one Research Assistant or Visiting Research Associate to work on a special topic for one year.
• By a grant of £10,000 ($16,000) towards the cost of the Publications Programme.
• By a grant of £5,000 ($8,000) towards the cost of part-time assistance.
• By a grant of £2,500 ($4,000) towards the cost of using computer technology to assist the project.
• By a grant of £1,000 ($1,600) towards the cost of conserving the fragments.
• By a grant of £500 ($800) towards the cost of bringing the results of Genizah research to the layman by public lectures, pamphlets, exhibitions and a newsletter.

All payments should be made to the "University of Cambridge" which enjoys charitable status for tax and similar purposes. Such contributions and all enquiries for further information and for copies of the Unit's newsletter should be directed to:

Dr Ben Outhwaite, Head
Taylor-Schechter Genizah Research Unit
Cambridge University Library
West Road, Cambridge
CB3 9DR
England
UK

Tel: (00-44-1223) 333129 (direct line)
and (00-44-1223) 333000 (messages)
Fax: (00-44-1223) 333160

In the USA, "Cambridge in America" supports the Taylor-Schechter Collection with its unfunded grant number 7/78. If you are interested in supporting this project, please contact the Director of the Annual Appeal at: Cambridge in America, 100 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10013, USA, Phone: (212) 984-0972, Fax: (212) 984-0970, Switchboard: (212) 984-0960, E-mail: mail@cantab.org, Website: www.cantab.org.

Cambridge in America is the alumni, development, and communications center for the American constituents of Cambridge University (UK) and its member Colleges. Cambridge in America is recognized by the IRS as a charitable organization and contributions are legally deductible for United States income tax purposes. They are similarly deductible in Canada even if made directly to Cambridge.

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How can I visit the Genizah?

Since the Genizah Unit is a research unit and lacks a permanent exhibition centre to display manuscripts, we are unable to host individual visitors to the collection. We do, however, welcome organised groups (minimum 12 people; maximum 35 people) by prior arrangement. Please contact the Unit's secretary, Mrs Sarah Sykes (Tel: (01223) 333129; email: scs33@cam.ac.uk

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I wish to study items from the Genizah, how can I gain access to the collection?

If you are a scholar from another university you will need to produce adequate evidence of academical status and a letter of introduction in order to obtain a reader's ticket allowing you access to the Manuscripts Reading Room where you can consult Genizah items. Research students from other universities will require a letter of introduction from their Faculty Dean or equivalent.

Details of eligibility to obtain a Reader's ticket.

Reader's tickets are obtained by presenting your credentials to the admissions officer in Cambridge University Library (if you need further information, contact: admissions@lib.cam.ac.uk). Once you have access to the Manuscripts Reading Room you can order any Genizah items you wish and they will be brought to you within a few minutes.

Details of the fetching times and other information regarding the Manuscripts Reading room.

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How do I obtain permission to publish a Genizah fragment in a scholarly article or book?

Permission to publish fragments from the Genizah is dependent on the following conditions:

1. You should cite the full and accurate classmark (e.g., Cambridge University Library, T-S NS 176.2) in any text and with any plate;
2. You should make acknowledgement in the publication to the Syndics of Cambridge University Library for granting permission to publish;
3. You should send the Genizah Unit a copy of your article;
4. For any plate that you intend to publish, you should use only a bromide print or digital image obtained from this Library's Imaging Services Department. You may not use copies made from microfilms for this purpose; they are intended only for private research. Should you need to order such a bromide print or digital image, you should make the arrangements with our Imaging Services Department. Contact details are: Imaging Services Department, Cambridge University Library, West Road, Cambridge CB3 9DR, England, UK. Tel: 44 1223 333107; fax: 44 1223 339684; or email Imaging Services, photo@lib.cam.ac.uk. Estimates are sent of the cost, and processing is done on the receipt of payment.

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Where is the University Library?

The address of the Library is West Road, Cambridge, CB3 9DR. Here is a map of the vicinity of the Library.

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