International Judaica Curators Conference Held at Israel's National Library

It’s noon on Tuesday at the National Library of Israel (NLI) in Jerusalem. A grandmother cradles a six-month-old baby, waiting for the mother to return. They are among the many visitors touring the library. Outside, buses bring groups of Israelis, from schoolchildren to seniors, eager to explore the newly constructed NLI building.

Inside, the entrance hall buzzes with activity. Overlooking the circular main reading hall, a registration table welcomes attendees with a large sign: “The Fifth International Judaica Conference: Collaborative Leadership in Judaica Curating.”

Curation and archives have always been crucial to Jewish history. From 4,000-year-old clay tablets to digitized Jewish historical press, these collections preserve the rich heritage of the Jewish people.

This week, 70 professional curators of Judaica collections from around the world convened at the library for a three-day intensive learning experience. Led by experts in various fields, this conference aimed to enhance Jewish archives globally through learning, sharing experiences, and networking.

The conference emphasized shared responsibility, collaborative leadership, and teamwork. The program focused on three key areas: digital collecting and curating, endangered archives, and provenance.

Dr. Raquel Ukeles, head of Collections at NLI, highlighted the conference's objectives: “We gathered here in Jerusalem, curators from 15 countries, to explore ways of using digital formats to make archival materials accessible globally. These tools will allow archives to tell their stories without relying on traditional paper collections.”

Day one focused on making Jewish web archives and digital collections more comprehensive and accessible. Keynote speaker Prof. Peter Baldwin of UCLA and NYU challenged the audience to envision a future where archives are entirely digital, discussing the opportunities and challenges this presents.

Shai Abend, director of La Experiencia Judía in Montevideo, Uruguay, presented on “Utilizing Historical Documents to Promote Jewish Heritage in Uruguay,” showcasing how archival materials inspire Jewish Uruguayans of all ages.

Day two addressed the preservation of endangered Jewish archives, proposing a “task-force” model for protecting at-risk collections. Dr. Lara Lempert of the Martynas Mazvydas National Library of Lithuania discussed efforts to preserve Lithuanian Jewish heritage.

The afternoon session focused on documenting the events of October 7 and its aftermath. NLI’s “Bearing Witness” initiative aims to document and preserve testimonies from this period, a first-of-its-kind effort during an ongoing conflict. Dr. Roni Mikel-Arieli emphasized the importance of professionalism in collecting testimonies from trauma victims, while Attorney Noa Diamond discussed privacy issues arising from these efforts.

The third day explored the impact of digital collections on traditional libraries, with sessions on provenance in Judaic books and manuscripts, case studies, and best practices. A “White Paper on Judaica Provenance” was also presented.

The conference, guided by Dr. Ukeles, fostered creativity and scholarship, providing a platform for Jewish archivists to hone their skills and engage in face-to-face interactions. Ukeles stressed the unique opportunity this conference provided for Jewish archivists worldwide.

On May 23, NLI and the Heritage Ministry co-sponsored a one-day conference titled “Israeli Archives and Special Collections,” furthering the goals of the Judaica curators conference.

The international Judaica curators conference is supported by the NLI and Gesher L’Europa – A Bridge to Europe, a program of Rothschild Foundation Hanadiv Europe.

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