Among the National Library’s photography collections, one particularly adorable discovery caught our eye: a series of images titled “The State of Israel’s First Baby.” There were no other identifying details. Solving the mystery took a bit of detective work, some help from kind strangers, and a stroke of luck. But eventually, we found the birthday girl—and she even gave us a special interview.
The Haredi Soldiers Who Served in Israel’s War of Independence
For seven months, Haredi yeshiva students who served in “Gdud Tuvia” (Tuvia’s Battalion) proved that Torah study and IDF service could go hand in hand. Rare documents describe the profound reflections of those who viewed their military service as a sacred mission.
When Israel Conquered Gaza for the First Time
During the conflict known as the Sinai Campaign, the State of Israel conquered the Gaza Strip. Military documents and rare color photographs reveal what this brief period of Israeli control of Gaza looked like – back in 1956
The Fall and Revival of Netiv Ha’Asarah
When the bulldozers came to knock down the houses of Netiv Ha’Asarah in the Sinai Peninsula, the residents experienced real trauma. They could have moved to the center of the country, far away from any danger, but their pioneering spirit led them to resettle just a few feet from the Gaza Strip.
When the People of Ofakim Opened Their Hearts to Vietnamese Refugees
How of a group of refugees stranded off the shores of Vietnam somehow ended up in a small town in southern Israel…
The Suicide of the Man Who Loved David Ben-Gurion
“My life’s work has been to serve you”: The tragic death of Nehemiah Argov, David Ben-Gurion’s trusted aide…
His Way: Frank Sinatra in the Service of Israel
How Ol’ Blue Eyes managed to trick the FBI, make a special delivery down at the docks and help the Jewish state-in-the-making…
When Nazi Swastikas Were Paraded in Downtown Tel Aviv
Tel Aviv’s Purim parades between 1933 and 1935 evolved from joyous celebrations into full-on protests against Nazi Germany
The Story of Israel’s First Shelter for Battered Women
“We didn’t think we were making history. All we wanted was to work on behalf of women”: The story of the first shelter for battered women in Israel, established in Haifa in 1977, and the women who founded it
A Mobile Feast: Sukkot on Wheels During the Yom Kippur War
Rare photos reveal how IDF soldiers managed to fulfill the commandment to “sit in the sukkah”, even as war raged in the north and south
