Born in
Danzig in 1909, Ellen Littmann was attracted to Jewish studies from a young age and sought to study at the Hochschule. Rabbi Leo Baeck encouraged her to study and persuaded her parents to agree to this pursuit on the basis that Littmann would receive a teaching position after graduation. While Littmann did not receive rabbinical ordination, she was qualified to academically teach Jewish studies. In 1928, Littmann received a doctorate from the
University of Cologne, her thesis concerned the re-admission of Jews into German towns following the
Black Death. Littmann later moved to London where she taught at
Leo Baeck College. Rabbi Dr.
Werner van der Zyl was instrumental in recruiting Littmann to her position at the college. == Writings and publications ==