The Foundation focuses on the histories of the United States and the Holy Land, with emphasis on the people and events of the 19th and 20th centuries.

[1] The Shapell Manuscript Collection is a private holding of primary source documents[2] relating to various events and historical figures in American, Jewish, and Holy Land history.

[3] The Shapell Manuscript Foundation's website offers a large digitized selection of the Collection online for public viewing and research.

[5][6] In addition to a general focus on the historic manuscripts of universally recognized world-renowned individuals, the foundation's collection frequently relates to the history of American Jewish life.

The Foundation has collaborated with various historical institutes by creating and enhancing exhibitions with items on loan, and by contributing original research.

[20] The exhibition was produced in conjunction with the publication of the book, Lincoln and the Jews: A History, which contains original research and was co-authored by Professor Jonathan D.