No, this isn’t the start of a joke but rather an inspiring story about the meeting between the famous British-Jewish philanthropist and the Moroccan rabbi—and how it all connects to a letter preserved at the National Library of Israel.
Rabbi, Lord, Professor: On Rabbi Jonathan Sacks
The archive of one of the most important Jewish thinkers of our time recently arrived at the National Library: the personal files of the former Chief Rabbi of the United Kingdom, Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, a Jewish leader who was admired around the world, and a close friend of King Charles III. This is the story of a person who would have preferred “man” and “Jew” to any other title on earth.
The First Jewish Book Printed in England
With the return of Jews to England in the 17th century, the developing community’s members surprisingly saw no need for a Jewish printing house. The first printed book was published decades later and only in the wake of a controversial internal dispute…
The Botched Hit That Sparked the First Lebanon War
The failed attempt on Ambassador Shlomo Argov’s life led to one of the most complicated and difficult episodes in Israel’s history
When Topol Fled From ‘Fiddler’… Twice
Chaim Topol was originally disgusted by ‘Fiddler on the Roof’. Soon after changing his mind, war in Israel took him off the stage…
Celebrating English Royalty at Synagogue
Though England’s royal coronations are traditionally held at Westminster Abbey, over the years the Jews of the British Empire have celebrated the ascensions of new monarchs in their synagogues, with special prayers tailored for the occasion…
Judith Montefiore on How to Cook Like a Proper Jewish Lady
The name Judith Montefiore is probably not famous enough in Israel. A brief search of the National Library archives revealed that not only was she an equal partner in her husband’s charitable endeavors, but she was also likely the anonymous editor of the first Jewish cookbook published in England…
Israel, 1948: Vidal Sassoon in Combat
Not long before becoming the world’s most famous hairstylist and building a business empire, Sassoon fought for Israeli independence. He lost friends, gained confidence, went weeks without a shower, and literally never learned the Hebrew word for ‘retreat’…
8 Nights, 8 Treasures, 8 Languages
Join us for a Hanukkah video journey across cultures and time, featuring treasures from the National Library of Israel!
This Hebrew School Teacher Was the First World Weightlifting Champ
Strongman, educator, culture critic, civil society leader, journalist, publisher and historian. Edward Lawrence Levy was all of these and more.
