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Hours and directionsWelcomeIn 1997, the National Yiddish Book Center opened the doors of its permanent home in Amherst, MA, an architecturally distinctive, 37,000-square-foot building which is fast emerging as one of the most visited Jewish tourist destinations in America. The entire building is "visitor friendly," a resource for those who want to explore the meaning and relevance of Yiddish culture and modern Jewish literature.
Visitors Center HoursOur Visitors Center includes fascinating exhibitions, gardens, a gallery, library, English-language bookstore, and a great deal more. We’re open to the public Monday through Friday, from 10 AM to 4 PM, and Sundays from 11-4. The Center is closed on Shabbos (Saturday) and major legal and Jewish holidays. Our building is fully accessible, and admission is free. For additional information please phone us at 413-256-4900.
EventsWe offer a busy schedule of lectures, films, concerts, and live performances. All programs are open to the public. For our current Calendar of Events, please click here.
Group ToursGroups are welcome, but we do ask that you phone ahead! Please contact our Visitors Center Director, Jane Gronau, at ext.107, visit@bikher.org
DirectionsThe National Yiddish Book Center is located on the campus of Hampshire College in Amherst, MA. We’re a half-hour north of Springfield, Massachusetts, two hours west of Boston, three-and-a-half hours north of New York City, and just an hour’s drive from Tanglewood and the Berkshires.
By CarFrom the North: Route 91 South to exit 20 Northampton. Take a left at first traffic light onto Damon Road. Take a left at the next light onto Route 9 East. Pass over the Calvin Coolidge Bridge. Before the Getty Station, take a right. At the stop sign, make a right onto Route 47. After 1.8 miles, take a left onto Bay Road toward Hampshire College/South Amherst. Continue another 2.5 miles and turn left at the Bay Road entrance of Hampshire College. The Eric Carle Museum will be on your right. Turn right at the intersection. The Center is the second parking lot on your right. From Northern Massachusetts/New Hampshire: From Route 2 East or West, take exit 16 (Amherst). Follow Route 202 South. Right at the flashing light onto Pelham Road, which becomes Main Street. In the center of Amherst, turn left onto Route 116 South. Continue for about 4 miles. Turn right into the Hampshire College entrance, then left at the intersection. The Center will be the first building on your left. From Boston and points East: From Boston, it takes approximately 2 hours to the Center. Follow the Massachusetts Turnpike I-90 West. Take Exit 4 onto Route I-91 North. Take Exit 19 Northampton/Amherst, Route 9. Right onto Route 9 East. Pass over the Calvin Coolidge Bridge. Before the Getty Station, take a right. At the stop sign, make a right onto Route 47. After 1.8 miles, take a left onto Bay Road toward Hampshire College/South Amherst. Continue another 2.5 miles and turn left at the Bay Road entrance of Hampshire College. The Eric Carle Museum will be on your right. Turn right at the intersection. The Center is the second parking lot on your right. From NYC and points South: Route 91 North to Massachusetts exit 19 Northampton/Amherst. At the end of the exit ramp, take a right onto Route 9 East. Pass over the Calvin Coolidge Bridge. Before the Getty Station, take a right. At the stop sign, make a right onto Route 47. After 1.8 miles, take a left onto Bay Road toward Hampshire College/South Amherst. Continue another 2.5 miles and turn left at the Bay Road entrance of Hampshire College. The Eric Carle Museum will be on your right. Turn right at the intersection. The Center is the second parking lot on your right. From Albany and points West: Follow I-90 into Massachusetts where it becomes the Massachusetts Turnpike. Take Exit 4 (West Springfield, Route I-91) onto Route I-91 North. Take Exit 19 Northampton/Amherst, Route 9. Right onto Route 9 East. Pass over the Calvin Coolidge Bridge. Before the Getty Station, take a right. At the stop sign, make a right onto Route 47. After 1.8 miles, take a left onto Bay Road toward Hampshire College/South Amherst. Continue another 2.5 miles and turn left at the Bay Road entrance of Hampshire College. The Eric Carle Museum will be on your right. Turn right at the intersection. The Center is the second parking lot on your right.
By PlaneFrequent connections can be made on all major airlines to Bradley International Airport in Hartford, CT, which is less than an hour south of Amherst. Car rentals are available at the airport. Reasonably priced limousine service may be arranged in advance by phoning Valley Transporter at 800-872-8752.
By TrainAmtrak trains run on a regular schedule from New York’s Penn Station and points south to Springfield, Massachusetts, which is just 40 minutes from Amherst. Taxis are always waiting at the station. It is also possible (and less expensive) to arrange for limousine service by phoning Valley Transporter in advance: 800-872-8752. In addition to the many trains to Springfield there is one train a day – Amtrak’s all-reserved "Vermonter" – that travels direct to Amherst, leaving Penn Station at 11:30 AM and arriving in Amherst at 3:55 PM. Please be sure to contact Amtrak (1-800-USA-RAIL, or www.amtrak.com) to confirm this schedule and make reservations.
If you get farblonzhet (lost)…If you get lost – or if you’d like additional information – please phone us. Our staff members are knowledgeable, friendly and eager to help. We can be reached by phone at 413-256-4900, or by email at yiddish@bikher.org.
Area AttractionsOur picturesque location in the historic town of Amherst, Massachusetts places us at the heart of one of the great academic and tourist areas of western New England. For the area’s many attractions, restaurants and accommodations, please see www.valleyvisitor.com or www.westernmassedc.com. |
| The National Yiddish Book Center Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Building • 1021 West Street • Amherst MA 01002 • Phone 413-256-4900 • Fax 413-256-4700 • Contact |
