Rabbi Mitchell Serels looks on as Miriam Weiner unpacks cartons of books from her Sephardic Collection that she is contributing to Yeshiva University , 1996

The diverse Hebraica-Judaica holdings of Yeshiva University Libraries including a broad representation of languages, places, and dates. Complementing this breadth are the depth of the genealogical works that provide resources for both the casual family historian and the most senior genealogist to discover family connections, lore, and data through access to both standard and more obscure historical records. A genealogist and collector of genealogical resources, Miriam Weiner donated core Sephardic genealogical materials to Yeshiva University Libraries in the 1980s, which marked the first significant gift in Sephardic genealogy to the institution. (To view a bibliographic record of the collection, visit YULIS, the online catalog.) This important gift augmented existing genealogical resources measurably and included rare histories. With a focus on Sephardic history, the gift directly supports the Sephardic Studies program, enhances the Sephardic Reference Room at the Yeshiva University Libraries, and reinforces other university initiatives in Sephardic heritage and culture. Miriam Weiner’s contributions to genealogical research include an extensive research guide, The Miriam Weiner Routes to Roots Foundation, a syndicated news column on Jewish genealogy, and invitational lectures at synagogues and education centers. Her current focus is Ashkenazi genealogy, and she has donated a significant collection to the YIVO Institute for Jewish Research.