Official portrait of Lord (Jacob) Rothschild (1936-2024). Credit: Yoray Liberman
It is with profound sadness that the National Library of Israel mourns the passing of Lord (Jacob) Rothschild, a champion of the Jewish people, learning, and culture, whose contribution to the Library, Israel, and the Jewish people is immeasurable.
As Chairman of Yad Hanadiv, the Rothschild family’s charitable organization set up for the benefit of all inhabitants of Israel, Lord Rothschild played a foundational role in the National Library of Israel’s renewal and the establishment and construction of a new Library building. His vision, leadership, and commitment made this dream a reality.
At the groundbreaking ceremony in 2016, Lord Rothschild noted his family's long-standing relationship to the Library, and shared, "For 2,000 years our treasured books were scattered, with no geographic center of gravity. Now at long last, these volumes as well as those yet to be written, together with a wide range of other collected materials, are to have a permanent home and one where it should be—in the heart of Jerusalem…The Library will have the responsibility of nothing less than preserving and illuminating the history of Jewish civilization."
This vision extended far beyond the walls of the building, as digital technology supported in large part by Yad Hanadiv, enables the National Library of Israel to share its treasures with the entire world.
As President of The Rothschild Foundation Hanadiv Europe, Lord Rothschild powered the establishment of Gesher L'Europa (Bridge to Europe), an initiative to connect between the Library in Jerusalem, and people, heritage institutions, and Jewish communities across Europe through knowledge sharing, cultural and educational programming, and storytelling.
All this and more were part of the Library's renewal plan, now being realized, that has aimed to develop a 21st century library preserving generations of Jewish and Israeli culture in its full diversity, providing superior services to the public and scholars in Israel and the world, and playing a central role in the intellectual and cultural life of all Israelis and the Jewish world.
Sadly, due to the war in the aftermath of the October 7 attack, the Library was forced to postpone its official opening, which had been scheduled for October 17, 2023.
Sallai Meridor, Chairman of the Board of the National Library of Israel, said, "Lord Rothschild was the driving force and spirit behind the renewal of the National Library of Israel. The Jewish people and the State of Israel will forever be indebted to him for this invaluable treasure. I am deeply saddened by his passing, and for his not being able to see the new Library building as it is today, filled with light, life, and meaning. We are honored that this institution is a part of the Rothschild legacy, and will always be proud of Lord Rothschild's kinship with the National Library of Israel. May his memory be for a blessing."
Oren Weinberg, CEO of the National Library of Israel, said, "Lord Rothschild's support of this institution was steadfast, and his faith in the Library's mission a testament to the Rothschild family heritage. We send our deepest sympathies to Hannah, Beth, Emily and Nat, and their families."