THE NEW NATIONAL LIBRARY OF As a dynamic center for intellectual and For 2,000 years our treasured books were artistic collaboration and creativity, it is scattered, with no geographic centre of gravity. THE NATIONAL my hope that the National Library of Israel Now at long last, these volumes as well as will play an essential role in promoting those yet to be written, together with a wide LIBRARY OF ISRAEL mutual understanding among all people— range of other collected materials, are to have within Israel and around the world. It is a a permanent home and one where it should Presenting the New Campus transformative project that will preserve the be—in the heart of ... The Library past while imagining the future. will have the responsibility of nothing less than preserving and illuminating the history Mr. David S. Gottesman of Jewish civilisation.

Lord Rothschild

The lead partners in the building renewal project are: Building Renderings: © Herzog & de Meuron The Rothschild Family (Yad Hanadiv) Jerusalem, 2018 The David S. and Ruth L. Gottesman Family Design: Kobi Franco Design The Government of Israel ISBN: 978-965-7643-17-4 4 The New National Library of Israel Campus The National Library of Israel 5

Introduction The National Library of Israel (NLI) serves as the course of more than 125 years, yet the journey to realize environmental conditions that will ensure long-term The new campus will enable the National Library of Israel To build this Home of the collective memory of the Jewish people worldwide and its fullest potential has only recently begun. preservation of the intellectual and creative heritage of to most fully realize its tremendous potential, serving as Book dedicated to People of Israelis of all backgrounds and faiths. It is responsible Israel and the Jewish people. The new National Library a point of pride and the center of culture for Israel and for collecting, preserving, and making accessible the Through the construction of a new landmark building of the “start-up nation” will leverage the advances of the Jewish people, and as a singular source of inspiration that Book is a project that cultural and intellectual heritage of the Jewish people, adjacent to the Knesset (Israeli Parliament) in Jerusalem, today’s information technology revolution to open global for people of all backgrounds around the globe. could bring blessing not just the State of Israel, the Land of Israel, its people and as well as the implementation of groundbreaking cultural, access to its collections, enlightening and educating in region across the ages. educational, and technological initiatives, the National ways that were, until now, impossible. to Israel, and not just to the Library is encouraging diverse audiences in Israel and Jewish people worldwide, but Founded in Jerusalem in 1892, the National Library around the world to engage with its priceless treasures. The National Library renewal is perhaps the most grew and evolved with the growth and evolution of the It is attracting new audiences and connecting Jewish ambitious cultural project in the Jewish world. Its new to the entire world. State of Israel and was officially established as Israel’s communities throughout the world, while continuing to home will be a striking, multi-functional architectural National Library through passage of the National serve as Israel’s pre-eminent library for all of its people, icon. Its location among the centers of government and David Blumberg Library Law in 2007. The renewal process that has alongside international scholars and visitors. culture is the ultimate setting for this new international Chair, National Library of Israel Board of Directors Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks followed in the years since aims to adapt the NLI to the landmark. cultural and technological realities of the 21st century, The majestic new National Library of Israel, a 45,000 making it more inviting and accessible than ever before sq. m. (480,000 sq. ft.) building surrounded by gardens and creating a cutting edge global center at the forefront and plazas, is being designed by renowned Swiss of knowledge dissemination and cultural creativity. architectural firm Herzog & de Meuron, 2001 Pritzker Prize laureates and the designers of a stunning array The Library’s treasures include the largest collection of of international landmarks. It is scheduled to open in written Judaica ever amassed, significant handwritten 2021. The new campus, located in Jerusalem between works by luminaries such as and Sir Isaac the Knesset and the , is made possible Newton, exquisite Islamic manuscripts dating back to through major lead grants from the Rothschild Family the ninth century, and archival collections of leading (Yad Hanadiv), the Ruth L. and David S. Gottesman cultural and intellectual figures including Martin Buber, Family, and the Government of Israel. Franz Kafka, Natan Sharansky and Naomi Shemer. The National Library holds the largest collection of Jewish The new National Library building will encompass three and Israeli music, as well as world-class collections of critical elements: facilities to enable wide and open access manuscripts, ancient maps, rare books, photographs, to the greatest number of users; venues suited in size communal and personal archival materials, and more. and infrastructure for research, as well as cultural and Its peerless collections have been developed over the educational programming; and secure and sustainable

West elevation along Ruppin Boulevard 6 The New National Library of Israel Campus The National Library of Israel 7

View from intersection of Ruppin Boulevard and Kaplan Street 8 The New National Library of Israel Campus The National Library of Israel 9

The New National The new National Library of Israel will stand as but remains abstract in origin. Wood interrupts the rooms, public spaces, and educational and cultural an international landmark in Jerusalem's National massiveness of the structure and frames the glazed areas to the collection below, a wellspring of knowledge Library of Israel District, which encompasses the Knesset, the Supreme vitrines. Uncommon in contemporary Jerusalem, emanating upward and outward. Wooden bookshelves Court, neighboring government ministries and the the wood links the building to timber traditions line the void, letting the books shape the visual Avenue of Museums including the Israel Museum. important to the local vernacular from ancient to experience of the space. Throughout the multi-level The designated expanse, a plot of approximately early modern times. reading room, carrels provide space for researchers four acres, will accommodate the new state-of-the- and students to work. The reader becomes immersed art facility, beautifully landscaped gardens, plazas Visitor Experience in a sea of books and intellectual treasures. and outdoor spaces featuring an amphitheater and How the visitor feels when entering the building, singular installation by world-renowned Israeli artist traversing the spaces or strolling the outdoor plazas, The National Library of Israel Campaign Micha Ullman. In its unparalleled location, the new is of critical importance. The Library was strategically The National Library of Israel has recently embarked National Library will open its gates to audiences of designed to maximize positive energy and convenient on an international campaign to raise funds that all ages, faiths, and backgrounds, and will be easily flow. Central areas, including the exhibition spaces, will provide financial security for many of our core accessible by public and private transportation. The visitor center, and educational area, are easily programs for years to come. Among the programs that new National Library campus will be a beacon of light accessible on the entrance level. The spatial plans the campaign funds will support are: acquisitions and and inspiration in Israel and throughout the world. will bring the Library's diverse users to and through preservation of the collections; integration of advanced its many other public spaces, which are distributed technologies to expand public education, enhance Building Design Concept and Function throughout the building. Continuous circulation visitor experience, and digitize the collections; The new building’s design is open and transparent allows visitors to move through each level and around exhibitions, cultural programming and improving but grounded in the traditions of great libraries of the central reading room. An auditorium slopes down public access to the collections. We are thrilled to offer the world and the eternal city of Jerusalem. As in the to provide visual connection to the street and plaza exceptional naming opportunities in the new building past, books and other physical works of intellectual below. Clear and convenient signage will show the in recognition of designated or undesignated gifts to and cultural creativity remain at the center, visible way to the beautiful and inviting spaces. the campaign. to all in a central atrium. Vitrine-like elements form the bottom two floors and transparently display the A Wellspring of Knowledge, the 'Sea of Books' and Library’s content and activities to the outside world. Intellectual Treasures Underground stacks will contain the majority of the The building’s curved, elevated and cantilevered form Library’s physical collection and form the foundation necessitates a contemporary take on the cut Jerusalem of the building. A void, consisting of offset circles limestone found throughout the city. Its façade is and culminating in an iconic circular skylight, passes reminiscent of culturally specific imagery and text through each of the levels, connecting the reading

Aerial perspective — view from the south 10 The New National Library of Israel Campus The National Library of Israel 11

Prominent Spaces The Main Entrance Hall Reading Halls

Walking through the main entrance into the new The Central Reading Hall, approximately 4,700 sq. m. The Reading Halls include service desks, work areas, National Library of Israel, visitors will find themselves (50,500 sq. ft.), is the centerpiece of the new National open shelves, the information and reference center, in the Main Hall, overlooking the iconic sea of books Library of Israel building. It is built on three levels and meeting rooms for group study and approximately through a floor-to-ceiling panoramic window, presented houses the core collections of the National Library: 500 carrels dispersed among areas that provide for with an exquisite vantage point from which to appreciate Judaica, Israel, Islam and the Middle East, and the both quiet study and spaces designated for discourse the grand scale of the National Library collections Humanities. The defining feature will be the sea of and exchange. The iconic skylight will illuminate the without disturbing the work of the scholars below. books that forms its contours, open to the free flow sea of books environs with natural light filtered to Perhaps the most traversed area of the new National of movement without physical separation between protect the treasures. Library building, the Main Hall will serve as the primary different collection areas. Lowered shelving will enable conduit from the main entrance to the reading halls an uninterrupted vista spanning the collections and and to virtually all core areas, including the Stephen A. the externally visible Jerusalem landscape. The Central Schwarzman Education Center, Auditorium, the William Reading Hall is designed in a way that allows for Davidson Permanent Exhibition Gallery, the Helen Diller demarcating spaces on the sides for specific collections, Family Temporary Exhibitions Gallery, Visitor Center, both existing and future. Main Information Desk, Café, and more.

How right is the mission that the National Library of Israel has taken upon itself… To renew and transform itself into a vibrant intellectual center bridging the wisdom of generations past to the challenges of the present.

Shimon Peres, of blessed memory, Ninth President of the State of Israel The Central Reading Hall 12 The New National Library of Israel Campus The National Library of Israel 13

The Reading Hall — Ruppin Boulevard level The Gershom Scholem Reading Room 14 The New National Library of Israel Campus The National Library of Israel 15

Auditorium The Stephen A. Schwarzman Education Center Global Cultural Center

The cultural and educational programs of the National Students, educators, schools, education systems and each month. The Center will enable visitors to explore Visiting school groups will enjoy introductory tours where Library today breathe vibrant and creative life into the communities throughout Israel and across the globe engage the core content and values of the Library, offering a they will learn about the history, values and mission of building and are an integral part of the dynamic of the with National Library treasures through meaningful in- range of age-appropriate opportunities to experience the National Library of Israel, as well as be exposed to Library. person and online educational experiences. and appreciate the treasures found among its vast and collections, permanent and rotating exhibits, services and diverse collections. Features will include: public activities. The Stephen A. Schwarzman Education Diverse audiences flock to the National Library for events A clear expression of the importance of educational A multi-purpose space with capacity of 70-100 for classes, Center will encourage curiosity relating to the written and exhibitions rooted in its cultural treasures. Writers, experiences to the National Library of Israel's mission lectures, performances and more word, communal memory, identity and heritage, and aim artists, experts and scholars gather at the Library for will be the ca. 360 sq. m. (3,900 sq. ft.) Stephen A. Three distinct spaces for facilitating a range of to provide visitors with the understanding and tools to conferences, courses and singular opportunities to meet Schwarzman Education Center, located adjacent to activities and workshops explore these concepts through the resources preserved and engage in discourse with one another, while drawing the main entrance of the new building. Thousands of Technology and infrastructure to connect with peers in and made accessible by the National Library of Israel. inspiration from the collections. visitors, from elementary school age and up, will benefit Israel and around the world from the Stephen A. Schwarzman Education Center The Auditorium in the Library's new home will provide a state-of-the-art and stately venue for performances, seminars, lectures, concerts, conferences, film screenings and more, opening access to the Library's cultural and intellectual riches to an ever-growing audience. The Auditorium, with seating capacity of approximately 430, will play a critical role in further positioning the Library as a leading local and international cultural center. The architectural design of the hall's structure will create a space of exquisite acoustic quality. With the main entrance to the Auditorium located at the entrance level of the new building, the Auditorium slopes down to provide visual connection to the exterior plaza and gardens below.

Auditorium, looking out towards the plaza and gardens 16 The New National Library of Israel Campus The National Library of Israel 17

The William Davidson The Helen Diller Family Permanent Exhibition Gallery Temporary Exhibitions Gallery

The ca. 740 sq. m. (8,000 sq. ft.) William Davidson Themes in the permanent exhibition gallery will include The ca. 340 sq. m. (3,600 sq. ft.) Helen Diller Family Permanent Exhibition Gallery will provide visitors with the centrality of the written Jewish text and Jewish Temporary Exhibitions Gallery will serve as the main an educational and engaging introductory experience to belief in the superiority of the word over other means of venue for all temporary exhibitions featuring treasures the treasures of the National Library of Israel. expression, as well as the creative textual achievements from the Library’s own collections and loaned items from of Islam and Christianity. The exhibition will highlight around the world. Located along the western wall of the Items from the Library’s collections, including exquisite cross-cultural encounters to inspire discourse and explore new building on the main entrance level, the state-of-the- manuscripts, books, newspapers, photographs and themes including: the letter as the essential component of art, climate-controlled gallery will constitute a large and ephemera, alongside cutting edge multimedia and the written word and of the alphabetic script, which was inviting open space, becoming a major draw for visitors digital technologies, will provide a thought-provoking invented in the Mediterranean basin; the evolution of the to see rare treasures in world-class special exhibitions as and inspiring user experience designed by leading book from a scroll to printed and digital formats; the Bible part of the cultural programming activities of the new curatorial experts from Israel and around the world. and its profound influence on world and Jewish culture, as National Library of Israel. well as on Israeli creativity; and the diverse mosaic that characterizes the rich cultural life in Israel, the Middle East, and the world.

The William Davidson Permanent Exhibition Gallery 18 The New National Library of Israel Campus The National Library of Israel 19

The Wohl Synagogue Visitor Center

Located on the same level as the Special Collections The Visitor Center will serve as the main starting point Reading Room, the Wohl Synagogue and adjacent multi- for groups and individuals visiting the Library. This faith prayer room will provide daily worshippers with the multi-functional space will be the place where visitors reverential environment suited to a place of prayer in the first get to know the Library, its mission, collections and holy city of Jerusalem, while also providing an inclusive range of services and activities. Perhaps the most striking and welcoming atmosphere consistent with the vision feature of the space is its versatile nature that will enable of the National Library of Israel. The Wohl Synagogue different uses for different audiences. Seating may be will be the only synagogue open to the general public in configured in a range of ways depending on the size and Jerusalem's central cultural and government district. It composition of the visiting group, presentations and will be used extensively not only by visitors to the National introduction videos may be viewed on a large screen, and Library of Israel but also by those visiting and working in vitrines and open space enable the center to host small- the adjacent Knesset and government offices, including the scale exhibitions and displays. Prime Minister’s office, as well as the Israel Museum and other cultural institutions in the vicinity of the Library.

The Wohl Synagogue will accommodate some 100 worshippers for prayer services, with increased capacity for special events such as bar and bat mitzvah celebrations, weddings, family and school group events and more. It will feature an ark to hold the synagogue's scrolls, an accessible dais, and a library. The interior design and furnishings will ensure that the Wohl Synagogue serves as a multi-functional space suitable for group and individual study, as well as lectures, classes and other gatherings. Just as the Jewish people form a single whole from many diverse parts, so too will this space serve and honor a diverse range of people, traditions and worldviews. The Moskovitz Mahzor for Yom Kippur according to the Ashkenazic tradition, Northern , circa 1350 (Ms. Heb. 80 5214) National Library of Israel Visitor Center 20 The New National Library of Israel Campus The National Library of Israel 21

Digitization Center

The National Library of Israel Digitization Center features and one of the largest digital collections of manuscripts from the late 19th century through the mid-20th century. state-of-the-art equipment to serve a range of needs in existence. Partner collections around the globe include Researchers and users from Israel and around the globe for scanning and making digitally accessible diverse the Vatican, the British Library, the National Library of are using Jrayed, further positioning the National Library materials from books to maps, manuscripts, photographs, Russia, the National Library of Germany, the National as a world-leading resource for Middle East Studies. archival materials and more. The National Library has Library of France, the Palatina Library in Parma, the developed a number of flagship projects that harness Jewish Theological Seminary, the Ets Haim Library in Israel Archives Network (IAN) – Connecting Israeli advanced technologies to open access to the treasures held Amsterdam, and many more. archives with one another and the world, the network is, in its collections. for the first time ever, organizing archives from across The Historic Jewish Press (JPRESS) Project – A digital Israel in a centralized, searchable, online portal. Dozens Alongside and in partnership with peer institutions across gateway to Jewish newspapers and journals that spans of archives have already joined the project, including the globe, the National Library of Israel is carrying out continents and generations. Using advanced digitization diverse materials chronicling the history and culture initiatives that showcase special collections on platforms technology, periodicals are viewable in their original of Israel, its communities, organizations and leading designed to generate research, enhance user experience layout and are fully searchable. Spanning over two figures. IAN is part of the Ministry of Jerusalem and and exponentially expand the quantity and quality of centuries, the collection includes millions of pages in Heritage's Landmarks initiative and is being undertaken materials accessible for worldwide user communities. different languages from nearly two dozen countries in collaboration with the Israel State Archives. and counting. The National Library is working to Leading digital initiatives include: steadily expand this invaluable resource, undertaken in Music, Song and Sound – The National Library is working partnership with University and in collaboration constantly to bring its unrivalled collections of Jewish Ktiv: The International Collection of Digitized Hebrew with partners including the National Library of Poland, and Israeli music online, including audio, lyrics and texts, Manuscripts – A groundbreaking initiative to enable the Harvard University Library, NYU, Columbia University, sheet music, archival materials and more. NLI is grateful global centralized digital access to all existing Hebrew the New Public Library, and others. to the Legacy Heritage Fund for launching the music manuscripts. Ktiv is a joint venture of Albert D. and Nancy digitization program since its fledgling years. Friedberg through the Friedberg Jewish Manuscript Jrayed - The world's largest and most user-friendly Society and the National Library of Israel, in cooperation collection of digitized Ottoman and Mandate-era with the Israeli Ministry of Jerusalem and Heritage's Palestinian newspapers, documenting the cultural, Landmarks project. It is the largest resource of its kind, political, religious and social life of the Arab community Digital access to ancient texts 22 The New National Library of Israel Campus The National Library of Israel 23

The David Berg collection and much more. Rare items require exceptional Conservation and conservation and preservation practices and conditions – Foundation Rotunda both while in storage and when being viewed – to ensure Restoration Center Gallery that they are properly safeguarded in perpetuity. Combining refined artistic techniques with state- An elegant area leading to the Special Collections Special Collections Reading Room of-the-art tools and methods, the National Library’s Reading Room will be located in a round space accessed This space is designated for engaging with the Special Conservation and Restoration Department ensures that via a dramatic spiral staircase. The gallery will have Collections holdings, which include all archival and the Library's treasures are maintained in prime condition large exhibition vitrines built into the surrounding wall, rare materials. In addition to the enhanced climate and and safeguarded for generations to come. It is responsible as well as a number of freestanding cases in the open security conditions, the room is designed for optimal user for taking care of all of the Library's holdings, including space. All of the vitrines will be equipped with advanced comfort and access, including carrels and a service desk special collections of priceless manuscripts, rare books, climate-control technology to preserve the treasures where a multi-disciplinary team of National Library photographs, archives, maps and more. displayed within. In addition, a large window in the specialists provides guidance to readers. The space has gallery wall will provide visitors with the unparalleled also been specially designed to allow for the renowned opportunity to look into the Main Repository, where Valmadonna Trust Library to be on display at all times. Automated Main millions of National Library treasures are kept, and provide a view of the automatic retrieval system. Rare Items Presentation Room Repository This designated space allows for unmediated presentation of rare items for groups of up to 30 people, without disturbing The five-story, ca. 1,900 sq. m. (20,000 sq. ft.) stacks will be Special Collections scholars in the adjacent Reading Room. It is equipped for one of the largest spaces in the new National Library of audio-visual presentations and suitable for a range of group Israel building. A large window will enable the public to Areas discussion, presentation and study purposes. glimpse into the vast expanse, seeing millions of treasures as well as the cutting-edge automated retrieval system in The National Library of Israel's most prized treasures Rare Items Repository action. The repository will provide Library patrons with are held among its Special Collections, comprised of over Located directly below the Special Collections Reading expedient access to the collections, while preserving them 60,000 rare items as well as millions of archival items. Room with a lift connecting the two spaces, the Repository in optimal conditions for the continued enjoyment and Rare items include approximately 15,000 manuscripts has the capacity to hold up to 120,000 rare items. Its enrichment of future generations. and 45,000 extremely rare books, characterized as such strategic location below the Special Collections Reading due to an early printing date, a limited number of copies Room provides a number of significant advantages, or other distinct features such as handwritten notes of including efficient and expedient service for visitors and historical importance. Treasures include manuscripts scholars, as well as ideal climactic and security conditions dating back well over a millennia, the only extant copy for preserving and protecting the National Library's most The David Berg Foundation Rotunda Gallery of the first printed , the world's largest ketubah cherished assets. 24 The New National Library of Israel Campus The National Library of Israel 25

Core Collections law, Jewish thought, Hasidism, Kabbalah, prayer, Jewish bibliographies, and literature, Jewish history in various countries and periods, anti-Semitism, the Holocaust, Jewish folklore, Jewish education, Jewish art, and more.

The new National Library of Israel will house all of the Cherished treasures in the collection include Maimonides' millions of treasures in the vast Library collections, commentary on the Mishna in his own handwriting; some further positioning it as a center of learning and culture, of the earliest Talmudic manuscripts and fragments; a repository for collective memory across time and space. the world's largest collections of ketubot and haggadot; Hebrew books dating to the advent of the printing The National Library has four core collections: Judaica, press; the personal archives of Martin Buber and other Israel, Islam and the Middle East, and the Humanities. luminaries; and the Gershom Scholem Collection – the world's foremost resource for the study of Kabbalah, The Haim and Hanna Solomon Judaica Collection Jewish Mysticism and Hasidism. The Haim and Hanna Salomon Judaica Collection at the National Library of Israel is the largest collection of written Israel Collection and printed Judaica ever amassed. The scope and diversity The leading collection of its kind in the world, the Israel of its materials are unparalleled. Collection serves as a comprehensive national memory of the State of Israel and the Land of Israel. The collection The collection includes the vast majority of Hebrew and includes virtually everything printed and published Jewish books, journals and magazines ever published; in Israel, as well as academic and literary materials thousands of Hebrew-letter manuscripts, as well as copies published in different languages and countries about of some 80,000 such manuscripts from collections across Israel, its diverse history, cultures and ethnic groups, the the globe; the world's largest collection of Jewish music; Zionist movement and more. The aspiration of this core and hundreds of personal archives of leading Jewish collection is to achieve comprehensive coverage of all cultural and intellectual figures. relevant works, in all languages. The collection holdings include books, newspapers, periodicals, maps, audio-visual Its texts are in many languages, among them Hebrew, materials, posters, films, ephemera, photographs, and the English, French, German, Russian, Judeo-Arabic, Yiddish personal archives of prominent cultural and intellectual and more. All aspects of Judaism are covered: Bible, figures. It is unmatched in its scope and depth. Apocrypha, Mishna, , Midrash, Halacha, Jewish Maimonides, autograph copy of 'Commentary on the Mishna', Egypt, 12th c. (Ms. Heb. 4°5703) Purim in Tel Aviv poster, A.Nathan, 1929 26 The New National Library of Israel Campus The National Library of Israel 27

Islam and Middle East Collection Humanities Collection The Islam and Middle East Collection, one of the National The Humanities Collection, one of the cornerstones of the Library of Israel’s main collections since the early 20th Library, boasts an established and important corpus of century, is the leading collection in Israel and one of the primary sources and secondary literature. It complements top research collections of its kind in the Middle East. the other core collections, providing background materials It also enjoys international recognition, particularly in on the surrounding cultures, as well as ancillary research the areas of classical Islam and Arabic literature, and tools. The collection consists primarily of titles in English, draws visiting scholars in those fields from across the German and French, alongside selected works in Italian, globe. The collection contains hundreds of thousands of Spanish, Romanian, Greek, Russian and other languages, books, including rare and early prints; a wide selection and serves the general scholarly needs of the public, of early 20th century Palestinian newspapers; all major including other disciplines and fields of knowledge such as scholarly journals in the collection's key fields; and some literature, art and the social sciences. 200 contemporary periodicals and newspapers in Arabic, Persian and Turkish. The collection also houses a rich The collection's main areas of specialization are history, repository of approximately 2,500 Arabic, Persian and classics, philosophy, the history of Christianity and the Turkish manuscripts. history of the book. The collection also functions as a depository library for publications issued by the United Nations and the European Union, collating all materials and reports issued by these bodies.

Special collections within the Humanities Collection include the Sir Isaac Newton Manuscript Collection, containing all of Newton's theological writings and recognized by UNESCO as a "Memory of the World" treasure; the Sidney Edelstein Collection of manuscripts and publications related to the history and development of modern science and medicine; and the Eran Laor Cartographic Collection, the world's largest collection of ancient maps of Jerusalem and the Holy Land.

Nizami Ganjavi, Sharafnamah-yi Iskandari (The Book of Glory of Alexander the Great), India, 17th century (Yah. Ms. Ar. 1021). Photo: Ardon Bar-Hama Isaac Newton, 'The Hyeroglyphicall figures of Nicholas Flammel explained, anno 1399', , 1680s (Ms. Var. 259.3 f. 7r.) 28 The New National Library of Israel Campus The National Library of Israel 29

Other Special Collections

The Music Collection and National Sound Archive 1,500 ancient maps of Jerusalem and the Holy Land, The collection has thousands of rare books, among them The National Library's Music Collection and National alongside ancient maps of other parts of the world. The first editions of most major Kabbalistic and Hasidic Sound Archive comprise the world's foremost collection collection also contains surveyor maps of the Land of Israel works including The Zohar, first printed in Cremona of Jewish and Israeli music. This collection holds and beginning in the mid-19th century, as well as modern maps in 1559. Many of its books feature handwritten notes preserves the musical heritage of the diverse spectrum of Israel, its cities and neighboring countries prior to the by Scholem himself and other leading researchers of of religious, linguistic and ethnic communities in Israel, establishment of the State and to this day. The maps in the Kabbalah. Hundreds have dedications from prominent and the multitude of Jewish communities across the collection are in various European languages, as well as intellectual figures with whom Scholem was in touch, globe. Some of Israel's top musicologists staff the National in Hebrew, Yiddish and Arabic. In addition, the collection such as Hannah Arendt, Walter Benjamin and Herman Library Music Department. The Bella and Harry Wexner includes companion works on the history of cartography, Hesse. The collection also has significant holdings Libraries of Sound and Song, will be equipped with state- academic journals and reference books, scientific related to the study of other topics such as Gnosticism, of-the-art audiovisual equipment and a comfortable literature on the Holy Land, studies about the historical general mysticism, Eastern religions, Christian Kabbalah, seating area which welcomes visitors. geography of the Holy Land, Biblical dictionaries, and Messianism, German literature, magic, alchemy, astrology copies of early Bibles featuring maps. and esotericism. In addition to the comprehensive collection of Jewish and Israeli ethnographic and commercial recordings dating The Gershom Scholem Collection The Photography Collection back to the early 20th century, diverse materials dating The Gershom Scholem Collection, including some 35,000 The outstanding National Library of Israel Photography back to the 16th century include books, sheet music, items, is the world's leading library for the study of Collection provides a visual record of the Land of Israel scores, periodicals, over 300 personal archives, personal Kabbalah, Hasidism and Jewish mysticism. Meticulously and of Israeli society and culture from the earliest days records, manuscripts, video recordings, and more. With assembled by the renowned Prof. Gershom Scholem over of photography in the nineteenth century to the present. the generous support of the Legacy Heritage Fund, over more than half a century, the collection was transferred The collection contains more than two million items, 35,000 hours of recordings have been digitized. Holdings to the National Library of Israel following his death and among them photo albums, individual photographs, of both physical and digital materials are constantly being is arranged largely as it was in Scholem's Jerusalem postcards, personal collections and the archives of private expanded and enriched. apartment, according to his distinct system of cataloguing. photographers and photographic agencies. Images include Its reading room serves as a multicultural meeting place panoramic shots documenting the changing landscapes of The Eran Laor Cartographic Collection unlike any other, drawing both academic scholars and Israel, glimpses into daily life and candid photographs of The heart of the collection, the largest of its kind, includes ultra-Orthodox researchers from across the globe. some of Israel's most significant figures. Photograph of Anwar Sadat, Jimmy Carter and (l-r) celebrating the Israel-Egypt Peace Treaty in Washington, D.C. on March 25, 1979 (Dan Hadani Archive, ARC. 4* 1995 16 11337 41.2) 30 The New National Library of Israel Campus The National Library of Israel 31

Outdoor Letters of Light by Letters of Light: Clockwise: 1. Morning | 2. Before noon | 3. Afternoon | 4. Before evening Entrance Plaza Micha Ullman The Circle of Letters

The approach to the new building will be heralded by a Letters of Light is an environmental work of art by Through its aesthetic value and the messages it conveys, spacious and inviting Entrance Plaza that will lead visitors renowned sculptor Micha Ullman, based on the ancient Letters of Light creates obvious links with the adjacent from the streets bordering the area to the main entrance of Kabbalistic text Sefer Yetzira (Book of Creation). It centers sites, ensuring the integration of the new National Library the building. This will be a place for individuals and groups on the 22 letters of the hewn in stone, into its surroundings. to meet and congregate before entering the building, and with light and shade responding to the ever-changing will be designed as a welcoming space that showcases the angle of the sun’s rays. The prominent southern area of building itself, serving as a bridge between the beautifully the new National Library of Israel campus will serve as landscaped exterior and the treasures housed within. the site for an outdoor plaza featuring this remarkable sculpture, a work that will give expression to the vision of the renewed National Library, and, at the same time, through its beauty and magnitude, thrill and excite Garden Concourse passersby and Library visitors alike. Letters of Light is anchored in the deep and ancient layers of Jewish and Open-Air tradition and the Hebrew language, while also drawing 1 2 Amphitheater on other cultures. The sculpture converses with and provides a vibrant response to another renowned and moving Ullman installation, the underground Bibliotek The Garden Concourse and Open-Air Amphitheater will memorial on Bebelplatz square in Berlin, where the Nazi serve as an ideal central outdoor gathering and leisure book burnings began in 1933. point, as well as a site for diverse events. Marked by the vegetation and natural terracing characteristic of This work fulfills the National Library vision in a Jerusalem's landscape, the Garden Concourse provides an highly creative way, seamlessly combining a profound, excellent vista of the adjacent Knesset, the iconic Letters multi-layered conceptual work of art with a beautiful of Light sculpture and plaza, and the Library building's environmental monument, designed to encourage distinctive southern façade. Locals and visitors from interaction between people of all ages and backgrounds. Israel and abroad will flock to the site, at the center of Ullman’s work complements the design of the new Jerusalem's world-class cultural district. National Library building by Herzog & de Meuron. 4 3 32 The New National Library of Israel Campus The National Library of Israel 33

Entrance Plaza on Kaplan Street, opposite the Knesset Pedestrian sidewalk along Ruppin Boulevard 34 The New National Library of Israel Campus The National Library of Israel 35

Sustainable and Accessible Design Other Recognition in the New National Library of Israel Opportunities

The design of the new National Library of Israel complex Sustainable design elements include: The renewal of the National Library of Israel is being reflects an unwavering commitment to build a world- made possible through the extraordinary generosity class institution that is inclusive to all, ensuring that Rock Store of the Rothschild Family (Yad Hanadiv), the David S. all visitors and users are afforded the opportunity to The new building's most groundbreaking sustainability and Ruth L. Gottesman Family of New York and the engage with its treasures to the fullest possible extent. feature will be Israel's first below-ground "rock Government of Israel, with additional gifts from the This vision will be realized through a commitment store", a mechanism for storing thermal energy that will William Davidson Foundation, the Helen Diller Family, to universal design ensuring physical as well as significantly reduce the energy consumption required Stephen A. Schwarzman, the David Berg Foundation, and technological accessibility. to cool the building, greatly reduce its overall carbon the Wohl Foundation. footprint and considerably improve the resilience and The new home for the National Library of Israel will be stability of the building and its infrastructure for decades Other meaningful naming opportunities in the new one of the most sustainable buildings in the Middle East. to come. National Library of Israel campus are available: It is being planned to achieve the highest level LEED certification aiming for minimal environmental impact Lighting Design Gershom Scholem Library for the immediate and distant futures. Lighting design in the new National Library of Israel Seminar Rooms building aims to achieve a balance between cost, Conference Rooms For more information: aesthetics, function and maintenance. Daylight and Group Study Rooms artificial lighting will be combined in all spaces, where Archives Repository discover.nli.org.il/en possible, in order to provide high quality illumination, Service and Reference Desks visual comfort and low energy consumption. The Bindery New York: lighting design will be closely integrated with the Circulation Desk Jacob Fisch architectural design to ensure well-lit, comfortable and Offices Director, National Library of Israel Campaign sustainable spaces, while also differentiating sections of Recognition for maximum adherence to environmental [email protected] | (646) 515.2108 the building and maintaining a symbolic openness. sustainability and inclusion Endowed chairs for the Israel, Islam and Middle East Jerusalem: and Humanities Collections [email protected]

Photograph of children waiting on line at the mobile library in Jerusalem, 1963 Photo Ross, National Library of Israel Photograph Collection, TM 4º 5364.2 36 The New National Library of Israel Campus The National Library of Israel 37 Illustrated image: Grigori Katz Illustrated image: Grigori The National Library of Israel 39

To collect, preserve, cultivate and endow the treasures of knowledge, heritage and culture in general, with an emphasis on the Land of Israel, the State of Israel and the Jewish people in particular.

The National Library Law, 2007 (Israel)