Algemeyne Entsiklopedye

Algemeyne Entsiklopedye

Cover of the probheft sample volume, 1932
Editor	Raphael Abramovitch (1931–1963)
Original title	אלגעמיינע ענציקלאפעדיע
Language	Yiddish
Genre	Encyclopedia
Publisher	Dubnov Fund, Central Yiddish Culture Organization (1940–1963)
Publication date	1934–1966
Publication place	France, United States
Media type	12 volumes

The Algemeyne Entsiklopedye (Yiddish: אלגעמיינע ענציקלאפעדיע, lit. 'General Encyclopedia') is a Yiddish-language encyclopedia published in twelve volumes from 1934 to 1966. It is divided into two subseries: five volumes of the Normale series, covering general knowledge, and six volumes of the Yidn series, initially planned as a single supplementary volume, covering Jewish history and culture.

After calls for a Yiddish language encyclopedia grew in the 1920s, the YIVO central committee organized the Dubnov Fund in Berlin alongside various Jewish intellectuals for work on the encyclopedia. Scholar and politician Raphael Abramovitch served as the project's chief editor for most of its existence. After several early rifts and setbacks, the editorial staff fled to Paris to continue their work, releasing the first four encyclopedia volumes and first volume of the Yidn supplement. World War II led the team to flee again, settling in New York City, where all other volumes would be published. As much of the Yiddish-speaking community was killed during the Holocaust, the encyclopedia became increasingly focused on commemorating and memorializing Jewish culture and history in the Yidn series, while work on the Normale series was discontinued. Although funds from the postwar Claims Conference let work continue into the 1960s, progress halted shortly after Abramovitch's death in 1963.