  We study the properties of hypernuclei containing one lambda hyperon in the
framework of the correlated basis function theory with Jastrow correlations.
Fermi hypernetted chain integral equations are derived and used to evaluate
energies and one-body densities of lambda hypernuclei having a doubly closed
shell nucleonic core in the jj coupling scheme, from Carbon to Lead. We also
study hypernuclei having the least bound neutron substituted by the lambda
particle. The semi-realistic Afnan and Tang nucleon-nucleon potential and
Bodmer and Usmani lambda-nucleon potential are adopted. The effect of many-body
forces are considered by means either of a three body lambda-nucleon-nucleon
potential of the Argonne type or of a density dependent modification of the
lambda-nucleon interaction, fitted to reproduce the lambda binding energy in
nuclear matter. While Jastrow correlations underestimate the attractive
contribution of the three body $\la$ interaction, the density dependent
potential provides a good description of the lambda binding energies over all
the nuclear masses range, in spite of the relative simplicity of the model.
