About the Collection

Jewish Studies is not one of the traditional focal points of the ZHB's collection. Only since the establishment of the Chair of Jewish Studies at the Faculty of Theology in 1971 has literature and other media on Judaism been collected by the ZHB. The ZHB's Judaica holdings also include valuable and rare works, mainly from a closed collection acquired in 1971. The ZHB's holdings are primarily orientated towards the teaching and research focuses of the University of Lucerne, but are also intended to meet the information needs of the general public.

Where possible, classical Jewish literature is purchased in its original language and in modern translations. The acquisition focus is on modern Jewish cultural history in Europe. Most of the secondary literature purchased is in German and English, and to a much lesser extent in French. Modern Hebrew secondary literature is purchased only very sparingly.