Reading Between the Lines

The National Library is responsible for archiving and protecting the printed treasures of the State of Israel and the culture of the Jewish people. The library is an inspiring international center, which gathers, preserves, nurtures and imparts its knowledge, heritage and culture of the entire Israeli society, and of the Jewish people throughout its generations and its Diaspora. The library holds more than five million printed and archival items – copies of every book printed in Israel and more. In addition, the library holds works related to the country, to Judaism and the to the Middle East – including books, periodicals, maps, manuscripts, audio works and even posters, bumper stickers, printed ads and more. The library also holds cultural events on various subjects. It is recommended to check the event calendar at www.nli.org.il  

A recommendation: a guided tour

A guided tour of the National Library includes a glimpse of the largest stained glass in Israel, the "Vision of Isaiah" by artist Mordechai Ardon, the music collection, the National Sound Archive and the collection of ancient maps. During the tour, visitors are exposed to the digital library where you can have access to every newspaper, every article, every photograph and every book from your personal computer. The tour also includes a visit to the changing exhibitions that display items from the library's vast collections.

Tour times: Every Thursday at 11:00 with pre-registration (subject to a minimum of 5 participants).

Duration: 60 minutes

Languages: Hebrew, English

Starting point: the main entrance hall at the National Library, Givat Ram Campus, Jerusalem.

Register at: Tel: 074-7336125 visitors@nli.org.il, tours can be arranged for groups in advance.

Twenty-five years have passed since David Ehrlich dreamed of opening a café-bookstore in Jerusalem, and today, Tmol Shilshom is a well-known and beloved Jerusalem institution, whose name is celebrated in many places outside the capital. It’s a combination of a coffee shop, bookstore and a restaurant, and every week there are varied cultural events held on the premises. The name “Tmol Shilshom”, for those who do not know, is the name of Shmuel Yosef Agnon's book, which was chosen even before the establishment of the place itself. The storied place is a tale of love for people, books and stories; and one meeting with Ehrlich, who is also an author himself, one can is understand the special atmosphere of the place. The location also contributes to the place’s unique feel; it is situated in the center of the pedestrian mall of Nahalat Shiva, in an old 19^th century building. The space reveals old stone walls and arches with shelves, and libraries laden with books, paintings and works of art. In between, eclectic tables and chairs are scattered, revealing the many years of the place and, to the same extent, embues it with its unique design. Each table and seating area in the restaurant is named after a story. The menus are in the form of a bound book, and the serving dishes are placed on illustrated placemats.

Tmol Shilshom allows for enriching cultural and culinary encounters, with people of all ages and on the evening of its opening, the poet Yehuda Amichai appeared, and ever since  there have been consecutive events of literature, lectures, theater, live music and more, in a regular format, twice a week.

On the occasion of its 50th anniversary celebration, run in recent years by Erlich and his partner, Dan Goldberg, Tmol Shilshom has undergone a culinary upgrade, which turned it from a café to a dairy restaurant with a unique menu that was carefully built by the new chef, Adar Kaplan-Mor. A new book was published, called “Poetry Café”, written by Ehrlich, as well as a gourmet wine called “Private Label” from the Recanati Winery. And despite all the innovations that are required over time, Tmol Shilshom still retains its authentic historical character and special atmosphere, and is considered one of the must-visit places in the city.

5 Yoel Moshe Salomon Street, Nahalat Shiva pedestrian mall, 02-6232758, Sunday-Thursday 8:00 to 00:00, Friday 8:00 to 2 hours before Saturday, Friday-Saturday until 00:00

It is hard to miss the impressive library in the lobby of the Villa Brown Boutique Hotel on Haneviim Street. The library has a collection of books, magazines and various guides in several languages, along with inviting seating areas. The library is part of the beautiful design of the hotel, located in an old building that once served as a private villa, and was built at the end of the 19^th century. The story is also that of the former residents: a well-to-do Jewish doctor and his wife. The hotel has been preserved and restored to the splendor of the villa, which is characterized by Ottoman architecture, but with a modern, impressive and prestigious design, which draws inspiration from the connection between East and West, and between past and present. The Jerusalem stones, the arches and large windows of its traditional construction, combined with eclectic elements, including lush carpets, vintage furniture and deep red and green textiles with touches of gold, correspond to a modern and authentic Jerusalem style. This beautiful design also enters the hotel’s 24 rooms, where you can enjoy a restful night.

54 Hanevim Street, 02-5011555, brownhotels.com

Combining good food with books can be found smack in the middle of Sacher Park at Café Gan Sipur, a chain of coffee shops around the country that combines good food with the love of books, alongside enriching community events. The beautiful building that stands in the center of Sacher Park offers a varied menu and a culinary experience, strictly kosher, with a library of children and adult books you can read in the café (or buy for NIS 20), and cultural and enrichment events for the community, such as musical story hours, crafting and various lectures.

The unique structure of the Café Gan Sipur corresponds with its surrounding: it is built into a fold of land, its transparent walls bringing in the light and the greenery of the park, and at nighttime, morphing into a magical corner. On warm days you can sit in the shade outside, overlooking the Nahlaot neighborhood and enjoy the Jerusalem air. As a place that was specially designed for families with children, the interior design includes painted wooden tables and chairs. From a culinary point of view, the café offers a rich and delicious dairy menu, including fresh pastas, various fish dishes, special salads, sandwiches and dessert dishes. Some of the menu items have literary names, such as “Treasure Island Burrata” and the children's menu contains dishes that the children will love like “Storydough Pizza” and “The Little Prince waffle”.

Sacher Park Jerusalem, Sunday-Thursday from 8:00 to midnight, Friday from 8:00 until an hour before Shabbat, Saturday – an hour after Shabbat ends