National Library of Israel

Hanukkah events and family activities at the National Library

Performances, children’s shows, and family tours are among the highlights of the National Library’s Hanukkah activities.

Education and fun at the National Library.
Or Yesha Meusharim from Machzor Worms (13th c.)

National Library unveils rare 14th century Mishneh Torah manuscript

 An illustrative image of elderly Israelis.

Older folks, use your new time wisely: It’s a special present, make it magical - opinion

From left, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, Ecuador Ambassador Maria Cristina Coralios Calero, and Prof. Tamir Shaefer, president of the Hebrew University.

Grapevine, December 7, 2025: Multiple compositions


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.