National Library of Israel launches memorial book initiative ahead of Oct. 7 anniversary

The National Library of Israel on Wednesday announced a memorial initiative ahead of the third anniversary of October 7 to collect and preserve books and booklets created in memory of those killed in combat and those murdered.

The scale of the loss experienced by Israeli society since October 7 has been reflected in the many memorial books written by family members, friends, communities, and organizations, as well as works left behind by those killed and later published in their memory.

Beginning October 7, 2026, the National Library will present the exhibition "7.10 | Bound in Memory" for three months, featuring memorial books and booklets created in the wake of the loss. Alongside the exhibition, the library is calling on the public to help locate and deposit additional memorial publications so they can be preserved for future generations.

Preserving the stories behind the names

The initiative is part of the National Library's broader effort to document the events of October 7 and the war that followed. Through its October 7 Archive, the library is collecting, preserving, and cataloging testimonies, collections, and other materials documenting the events and the period, with the aim of making them accessible to future generations.

The special exhibition will feature books and booklets collected by the National Library to date. The library will also launch a dedicated microsite allowing the public to explore the personal stories, individuals, and memories behind the names online.

To expand the collection, the library is inviting families with a memorial book or booklet that has not yet reached the library to deposit a physical or digital copy, or both. The goal is to ensure that these publications, which form a significant part of the personal and national memory of Israeli society, are preserved and remain accessible to future generations.

Members of the public can check whether a particular book has already been deposited by consulting the catalog available on the National Library website.

The call for submissions is open to all bereaved families of those killed in Israel's wars and military campaigns, as well as to the families of those murdered in terrorist attacks throughout the history of the state.