Created on the eve of a community’s destruction, the Lisbon Mahzor survived the horrors of persecution and expulsion, and then wandered the world as one of the few surviving treasures of a rare religious and artistic tradition. At some point along the war, its three volumes were separated. Only recently, thanks to the efforts of the National Library of Israel, have all three been reunited in Jerusalem, and now they have even been joyfully rejoined in digital form.
The Inner Workings of a Library … and a Person
“To the Internal Libraries,” artist Hadassa Goldvicht’s new video exhibition at the NLI, is a behind-the-scenes journey through the stacks of the institution’s previous building, one that also serves as a meditation on pain, healing and the body’s own inner systems.
Michel Kichka Illustrates Our World
Great talent, optimism, sensitivity, compassion, and a deep love for this country, which he had longed to reach since childhood, all come together in Michel Kichka, making him one of Israel’s greatest graphic artists. We spoke with him about what led to the creation of his most personal graphic memoir, why he insists on keeping the family name “Kichka,” and what it was like working with Meir Shalev.
A Quasi-Surrealism State of Mind: Remembering Edwin Salomon’s ‘Like Animals’ Existential Art
A rare voice on the margins of Israeli art, Edwin Salomon used surreal, animal-infused imagery to confront memory, trauma, and human nature. From Holocaust survival to existential canvases in Holon, his work challenges us to see ourselves—like animals.
The Lost Seder Plates: A Glimpse of a Vanished Jewish World
The centuries-old Seder plates photographed by Theodor Harburger in the 1920s may be the only remnants we have of many Jewish families from Bavaria, Germany. Harburger survived the Holocaust and immigrated to Israel, bringing with him his rare collection, which serves as a testament to the lives of German Jewish communities that were plundered and murdered in the Holocaust. These antique Seder plates preserve not only the story of the holiday throughout the generations but also the stories of the families at whose tables they once stood.
Who Knows One? The Arrival of the Moss Haggadah
A unique Haggadah crafted by American-Israeli artist David Moss four decades ago joins the National Library of Israel’s collection.
Walter Trier: The Jewish Illustrator Who Depicted Germany at Its Best
You likely know Walter Trier’s illustrations—even if his name doesn’t ring a bell. For many, the characters and landscapes he brought to life have been etched into memory through countless childhood readings of “Emil and the Detectives,” “Lisa and Lottie,” or “The Flying Classroom.” This is the story of the talented illustrator who breathed life into Erich Kästner’s characters.
Tari Kipnis: A Kibutznik and an Artist, to the Very End
Tari Kipnis was born near the sea and sailed around the world – only to settle in Kibbutz Be’eri with his beloved Lilach. He lived and breathed art and never stopped looking for ways to create it. When he was stricken with a chronic neurological disease, he began to paint. On October 7, he was murdered with his wife and his caretaker Paul – but he left behind breathtaking paintings, including those which tell the story of the Gaza border region.
“Israel’s Miss Manners” Extends an Outstretched Hand
While researching the history of Israeli social etiquette at the National Library, Noa Bavly accidently stumbled across a particular book that had once belonged to her great-grandmother, Hanna Bavly – Israel’s own “Miss Manners”…
Marc Chagall’s Gift: A Mosaic of Generosity
The French artist once designed something special for his friends’ garden in Washington, D.C. In turn, they provided a unique experience for congregants of a synagogue across the street.
