Use Reference Sources, such as encyclopedias, to get a general overview of your topic. They are not intended to be read cover-to-cover, but rather provide you with more concise information as you begin to explore a topic. Reference sources generally provide several things:
The following online encyclopedias and dictionaries are available to you from both on- and off-campus. For off-campus access, use your University logon and password (the same logon/password you use to log onto the campus computer lab computers).
Use the following print encyclopedias to find background information on your topic. Other helpful encyclopedias can be found in the Reference Section on the 2nd floor of Library North. Please contact me if you need help finding additional resources for your research.
Encyclopaedia of Judaism by 
New encyclopedia of Judaism by 
American Jewish desk reference : the ultimate one-volume reference to the Jewish experience in America by 
Blackwell dictionary of Judaica by 
Oxford dictionary of the Jewish religion by Different types of reference sources answer different types of questions. Listed below are common types of reference sources for research in Jewish cultural studies and the kind of information contained in each:
Search GIL, the Library Catalog to find additional reference sources in the Library.
Encyclopaedia Judaica
Jewish Encyclopedia