eretz

Davidson Gallery

New National Library of Israel will use the
space to display collection treasures.

LOUIS FINKELMAN CONTRIBUTING WRITER

C

Moses Maimonides and Isaac Newton,
onstruction has begun for a
as well as precious pieces from the
new home for the National
Islamic world.
Library of Israel, locat-
In its new home, the national library
ed across from the Knesset and
intends to make that vast collection
the Israel Museum in Jerusalem.
much more open to the public. Pieces
Scheduled for completion in 2021, the
that have been nearly inaccessible,
480,000-square-foot building should
including those to be displayed in the
become a major attraction for the
Davidson Gallery, should become
Israeli public, tourists and scholars.
open to visitors.
Architects are Herzog & de Meuron
In a parallel effort, the library has
of Switzerland, with Israeli firm Mann-
digitized many items in its collec-
Shinar serving as executive architect.
tions; the staff of the National Library
The Israeli government has help
of Israel has encouraged libraries
in funding this project from the
Rothschild family through the auspices around the world to digitize their own
holdings, especially in Judaica. The
of Yad Hanadiv, and the David S. and
Ruth L. Gottesman family of
New York.
The William Davidson
Foundation of Michigan has
made a major contribution
to the new national library
with the 7,500-square-
foot William Davidson
Permanent Exhibition
Rendering of the new National Library of Israel. TOP: William
Gallery to be named for the
Davidson Permanent Exhibition Gallery rendering.
late William Davidson, the
Davidson Gallery will have equipment
noted industrialist and philanthropist.
to enable visitors to gain access to this
The private family foundation,
established in 2005, honors its founder world of material, which, until now,
and continues his lifelong commitment only a few advanced scholars could
ever hope to glimpse.
to philanthropy, advancing for future
The library envisions using the
generations the economic, cultural and
civic vitality of Southeast Michigan and Davidson Gallery to emphasize Jewish
texts, especially in the context of
the Jewish world.
cross-cultural encounters with Islam
Library leaders envision using the
and Christianity. Other emphases are
Davidson Gallery to display treasures
on the history of alphabetic script; the
from among the library’s collections,
which include rare manuscripts, books, evolution of the book from a scroll
to the printed and digital format; the
maps, photographs, music, ephemera
Bible and its profound influence on
and more.
world and Jewish culture; and the mul-
The national library, in its current
tiple sources of modern Israeli culture.
home on the campus of the Hebrew
A library statement announced,
University, holds an extensive col-
“The William Davidson Permanent
lection, including the world’s largest
Exhibition Gallery will offer a creative,
collection of Jewish and Israeli music,
contemporary, educational and enjoy-
vast collections of maps, photographs,
able visitor experience that will serve
magazines and newspapers, the per-
sonal papers of Marin Buber, Gershom as the starting point on an illuminating
journey through the National Library
Scholem and Franz Kafka, and also
of Israel.” ■
manuscripts in the handwriting of

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December 13 • 2018

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