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.

|ByYOAV ETIEL
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

“Now the time has come for it to be at the National Library," Bar-Oz said to Ynet. "It must be there, especially for the grandchildren and for those who say, ‘We'd rather die than enlist.’”

|ByMIRIAM SELA-EITAM
‘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

If I have one quibble with the documentary, it’s that it does not give a full sense of the album, that the songs are a journey through the mind of a child who can’t fall asleep.

|ByHANNAH BROWN
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

While the cookbook was originally published anonymously by “A Lady,” scholars later attributed the title to British linguist Lady Judith Montefiore, the wife of Sir Moses Montefiore.

|ByMIRIAM SELA-EITAM

Hanukkah: The history of the menorah and hanukkiah seen in ancient manuscripts

The tradition of building up to lighting eight oil lamps (plus one shamash, or servitor) over the Hanukkah period began in the 2nd century CE.

DECEMBER 29, 2024ByDAVID GEFFEN
‘MISHNEH TORAH’ from 1470 contains a copy of a drawing by the Rambam of a menorah with straight branches.

Hanukkah fun in Jerusalem: Activities for everyone for the Jewish festival of lights

A sneak peek at some of the fabulous family activities happening in Jerusalem this Hanukkah.

DECEMBER 23, 2024ByRONIT ANSBACHER, JOANNA SHEBSON
A sufganiya (jelly doughnut) tour of Mahaneh Yehuda in Jerusalem for Hanukkah (Illustrative).

Top 10 reasons to leave the house: December 13-22

Fun events to take part in throughout Israel in the coming week.

DECEMBER 18, 2024ByNERIA BARR
Kamea Dance Company’s ‘White Face.’

'Metamorphosis of an Author': Kafka exhibit to open at Israel's National Library

Running from December 4 to June 30, 2025, the library will showcase over 80 original items from its Kafka archive, many of which have never been seen by the public.

NOVEMBER 30, 2024ByAMY SHAPIRO
THE ORIGINAL publications of Franz Kafka at the National Library.

Grapevine: Meeting Douglas Murray

Movers and shakers in Israeli society.

NOVEMBER 22, 2024ByGREER FAY CASHMAN
BRITISH JOURNALIST and author Douglas Murray was honored with special recognition by Israel for his advocacy on behalf of the country in the wake of October 7.

Jerusalem Vibe: Who visited Jerusalem for the holidays?

In Jerusalem, visits to the city from Israeli residents actually rose during the holiday season, thanks to an aggressive internal marketing campaign.

OCTOBER 27, 2024ByZEV STUB
Planned construction in Talpiot.

Inscribing Oct. 7: National Library of Israel aims to preserve realities of war

The National Library’s Bearing Witness project aims to preserve the ephemeral realities of war

OCTOBER 25, 2024ByJENNA ROMANO
NLI Bearing Witness: Ceremony in memory of 42 French citizens murdered on Oct. 7. Paris, Feb. 2024

Jerusalem highlights: October 18-24

What's new to do in Israel's capital?

OCTOBER 18, 2024ByHAGAY HACOHEN
Chen Lev Ari in 'The Fox and the Tree.'

Grapevine: Friendship at the feast

Movers and shakers in Israeli society.

OCTOBER 17, 2024ByGREER FAY CASHMAN
THE NEW reading room of the National Library of Israel.

Ancient texts belonging to the Beta Israel community are set to be made available for public

Among the texts included in the project and penned in the Ge'ez language, is the Orit, the Beta Israel Torah which includes the five books of the Torah, the book of Joshua, Judges and Ruth.

OCTOBER 15, 2024ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Chief Kes Berko Tegegne reads from the Orit, written in the Ge’ez language.