National Library of Israel

National Library of Israel launches memorial book initiative ahead of Oct. 7 anniversary

The initiative will preserve memorial books and personal works created in memory of those killed in combat and those murdered, while making their stories accessible to future generations.

 New National Library of Israel building in Jerusalem, exterior.
Aharon Bar-Oz deposits Naomi Shemer’s leter of response with the National Library of Israel, August 31, 2026.

Author of postcard sent to Naomi Shemer praising 'Jerusalem of Gold' identified after 59 years

‘THE SIXTEENTH SHEEP’ reunion shows (from left) Yoni Rechter, Gidi Gov, Yehudit Ravitz, and David Broza.

‘The Sixteenth Sheep’ documentary celebrates reunion of a musical supergroup

A page from the first kosher cookbook published in England from 1846, titled "The Jewish Manual of Modern Cookery, With a Collection of Valuable Recipes & Hints Relating to the Toilette," May 26, 2026.

National Library of Israel acquires copy of UK's oldest kosher cookbook belonging to Montefiores


National Library of Israel hosts International Judaica Curators Conference

This past week, 70 professional curators of Judaica collections from many different countries convened at the library for a three-day intensive learning experience led by professionals.

 THE NEW reading room of the National Library of Israel.

Fallen scholarly soldier’s holy text donated to the National Library of Israel

Eyal Meir Berkowitz fell in an operation to rescue the bodies of multiple hostages.

 Eyal Meir Berkowitz

In honor of Independence Day: National Library to offer free tours

The new National Library of Israel is an impressive 11-story building with six floors above ground and five below. It can accommodate up to 600 readers, who can enter daily and free of charge. 

 The new building of the National Library in Jerusalem.

Grapevine: Archive acquisition

Movers and shakers in Israeli society.

 Tom Weiss

Passover: The storied Haggadot of the National Library of Israel

The National Library of Israel has the world's largest Haggadah collection, includes some of the oldest Haggadot.

 THE HAGGADAH by Meshullam Zimmel from 1719.

National Library receives personal archives of late UK Chief Rabbi Jonathan Sacks

The archive was acquired with support from the Rothschild Foundation Hanadiv Europe. Once the files are cataloged, the library intends to provide extensive access to researchers.

 Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, 1948-2020.

Grapevine: Voting tradition

Movers and shakers in Israeli society.

 An Israeli municipal elections voting box.

Grapevine January 31, 2024: The courage of her convictions

Movers and shakers in Israeli society.

 RAMILA PATTEN with Michal Herzog.

National Library of Israel rolls out a bookmobile

The National Library of Israel's bookmobile, featuring pictures of Ir-Meow-hu the Library Cat, has been visiting evacuee centers throughout Israel.

 The National Library of Israel’s bookmobile.

World's largest collection of Yemenite Jewish manuscripts donated to Israel's National Library

The collection was bequeathed to the library by the family of the late Yehuda Levi Nahum, a Jew with a passion for his Yemenite heritage who immigrated to Israel from Yemen in 1929.

 Manuscript in Judeo-Arabic of Shalom Shabazi’s poetry collection (diwan) in the author's own handwriting. Yemen, 17th century.