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Monday 08:00 - 17:00 Tuesday 08:30 - 17:00 Sunday 08:30 - 17:00

The National Library of Israel for Educators

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High quality educational content that encourages student creativity and active participation Our website https://education-en.nli.org.il/

26/10/2026

Get a Lesson Plan about the Maccabees!

Rabbis? Warriors? Pioneers?
The Maccabees have been pictured in surprising ways over 2,000 years. This Chanukah lesson from the National Library of Israel lets your students explore these images, then design a Maccabee of their own.

✔ 45 minutes
✔ Ages 8-14
✔ Lesson plan, worksheet and printable sources included

Download on our website for free!

15/10/2026

Ever heard of Friedrich Gernsheim? Born in 1839, he was a talanted German pianist, conductor, teacher, and composer, and a close friend of Brahms. He wrote four symphonies, concertos, and beautiful chamber music full of warmth and Romantic lyricism.

Because he was Jewish, the N***s banned his music after his death, and it was nearly forgotten. Thankfully, it's been rediscovered! His archive is preserved at the National Library of Israel.

24/09/2026

What can primary sources tell us about celebrating Sukkot in the past?

A handwritten Jewish community register from 18th-century Germany reveals a debate over how to obtain etrogim in time for the holiday.
Nearly 100 years later, photographs from the Library's collection tell another story: how Chaim Weizmann and General Edmund Allenby helped secure myrtle leaves for Jewish communities in British Mandate Palestine.

These primary sources offer a glimpse into the practical challenges Jewish communities faced while preserving the traditions of Sukkot.

Chag sameach!🍋

15/09/2026

How many books do you know that survived Kristallnacht? A 750-year-old The Worms Mahzor is one of them!

The Worms Mahzor, preserved at the National Library of Israel, was copied by hand in 1272 and used by the cantors of Worms for over 650 years. Until Kristallnacht happenned in 1938. When the Worms synagogue was destroyed, the city archivist hid it in a cathedral and saved it from the flames. Today it lives in Jerusalem.

If you made something to last that long, what would you want future Jews to know about us?

10/09/2026

Shanah Tovah U’Metukah from the National Library of Israel's Education Team! 🍎🍯We are grateful to have you as part of our community of educators who inspire, connect, and shape the next generation. May the new year brings you joy and many meaningful moments!

All images in this video are Rosh Hashanah postcards from the collections of the National Library of Israel.

06/09/2026

Created in Lisbon in the late 15th century, this Lisbon Mahzor survived persecution, displacement, and a journey across Jewish communities - from Portugal to Aleppo and eventually Jerusalem.

Over time, its three volumes became separated. Now, after centuries apart, the National Library of Israel has brought them together again!

Discover the fascinating journey of the Lisbon Mahzor https://blog.nli.org.il/en/lisbon_mahzor/

26/08/2026

Before WhatsApp and emojis, there were Shana Tova cards - little windows into how Jews around the world imagined the year ahead. The National Library of Israel holds a special collection of these New Year cards, and every one tells a story.

📚 Our content creator Danielle Barta invites you to explore the tradition, dive into the historical designs, and then offer your students to design a Shana Tova card of their very own - and send it to someone special.

A ready-to-use lesson plan about Shana Tova cards is avaliable on our website. Follow the link in the first comment👇

Shana Tova uMetukah🍎

12/08/2026

Discover the story of one of the most famous Jewish communities in the world - the Jews of Cochin (India).
In the 1950s, almost the entire community of Cochin chose to make aliyah to Israel.

That journey inspired "The Blue Butterfly of Cochin", a children's book by writer and Jewish educator of Barkai Yeshivah in Brooklyn. Through Leah - a young girl torn between excitement and grief as her community leaves everything behind - Ariana explores a tender truth: home isn't just a place. It's the stories and memories you carry inside.

We are delighted that Ariana, a participant of The Well Global Educators 2026, discovered her book is now part of the Library's collection!💙

Book author: Ariana Solovey Mizrahi
Book illustrator: Siona Benjamin

04/08/2026

There are moments that remind us why we do our work.

Twenty-three passionate educators from Europe, North and South America learning, questioning, creating, and imagining together.
Five unforgettable days.
Rare treasures from the National Library of Israel's collections.
Inspiring conversations and meaningful connections.

The Well Global Educators Seminar was filled with curiosity, bright emotions, and countless moments of discovery. From exploring centuries-old manuscripts and photographs to discussing how primary sources can transform learning.

But beyond the collections, The Well is about people. It is about building a global community of educators who inspire one another, share ideas, and invest in their students.

Thank you to everyone who joined us and made this week so special! Here's a look back at some of our favorite moments. 💙

Photos: shi

02/08/2026

You made it brighter! ✨

A huge thank you to the 23 incredible educators who joined us for The Well Global Educators Seminar.

Our team at the National Library of Israel is starting this week inspired and energized after five unforgettable days of learning, exploring the Library's collections, exchanging ideas, and building connections with educators from around the world.

The end of a journey is always a little bittersweet, but we know this is only the beginning. We look forward to growing this community together, strengthening the connections we've built, and seeing more schools discover and bring the National Library of Israel's educational resources into their classrooms.

Thank you for your curiosity, your passion, and your generosity in sharing your knowledge and experience. You truly made this week brighter.

We had an amazing time, and we can't wait to see where this journey takes us next. 💙

Address

Eliezer Kaplan Street 1, Kiryat HaMemshala, 9195015
Jerusalem

Opening Hours

Monday	08:00 - 17:00
Tuesday	08:30 - 17:00
Sunday	08:30 - 17:00

Website

https://education-en.nli.org.il/

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