Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I get to the AJA?

   The Jacob Rader Marcus Center of the American Jewish Archives is located on the Cincinnati campus of the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, 3101 Clifton Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio. Map and directions.

2. Who may use the collections of the AJA?

   The AJA is open to all researchers. Researchers can contact the AJA with research questions by postal mail, telephone, Ask the Archivist! online form, or they may conduct research onsite in the AJA's Barrows-Loebelson Family Reading Room.

3. How do I plan to do research at the AJA?

   We strongly encourage prospective researchers to write, call, or e-mail the Marcus Center staff in advance of any visit to determine whether the AJA contains material relevant to their topic. We will check our holdings and provide an assessment of the quantity and composition of any applicable documents. Once researchers arrive, they will be asked to furnish identification and asked to complete a research application form. An archivist will meet with the researcher to explain our collection as well as the AJA's procedures and services.

4. What information can I access over the internet?

   The AJA Online Catalog contains descriptive records from our collections of manuscripts, microfilm, video and audio materials, nearprint, genealogy files, and photographs. Also available is a listing of all major manuscript collections, with links to online finding aids. As the AJA digitizes collections, making them directly available over the internet, information will be posted in the collections portion of the AJA website.

   Please note the AJA card catalog includes information not yet found in the AJA Online Catalog.

5. Does the AJA offer tours?

   Guided tours of the AJA are available upon request. Please contact Ms. Nancy Dowlin at 513-487-3017 or by e-mail to make arrangements.

6. Is the AJA equipped for individuals with disabilities?

   Our facility is in compliance with the American Disabilities Act Standards for Accessible Design. The AJA has installed access equipment for the visually impaired. The computer station in our reading room is equipped with software that enlarges, enhances, and reads aloud everything on the computer screen. The reading room is also outfitted with Aladdin Rainbow Pro hardware. The magnifier provides high-quality enlargement capabilities with enhanced images for easier reading, writing and viewing of objects. It has ideal viewing height, eye-level controls, and is ergonomically designed.

7. How do I help support the AJA?

   If you are interested in donating personal or family papers, organizational records, or other archival material, please contact Mr. Kevin Proffitt, Senior Archivist for Research and Collections. For information on making monetary donations to support the work of the AJA, please see our online donation page.