What role can a library play in a time of national crisis? In this episode of Expanding the Conversation, Dr. Raquel Ukeles, Director of Collections at the National Library of Israel, reflects on how cultural institutions like the library serve as spaces of dialogue, connection, and resilience. Drawing on her experience overseeing one of the most important repositories of Jewish, Israeli, and Middle Eastern culture, Dr. Ukeles shares how the National Library has responded to war, social fragmentation, and political tension—not by retreating from controversy, but by doubling down on its mission to collect, curate, and make accessible the voices of all communities.  This conversation, recorded as part of the “Israel at a Crossroads” convening hosted by JTS, challenges us to consider the power of memory work, the ethics of curation, and the library’s potential to shape the public square. Bio of Raquel Ukeles Discussion QuestionsThe Role of Cultural InstitutionsDr. Ukeles describes libraries as civic spaces that hold and reflect a nation’s complexity. How do you see the role of libraries, museums, or archives in your own society? How do they shape public values or political culture?Collecting in Times of CrisisHow should institutions decide what to collect during moments of upheaval or war? What are the risks of documenting events too quickly—or too slowly?Pluralism and the Public GoodThe National Library of Israel collects materials across religious, ethnic, and ideological lines. What does it mean for a state institution to be inclusive in this way? What tensions might arise from such a commitment?Memory as ResponsibilityDr. Ukeles suggests that memory is not only about preservation but about shaping the future. How can remembering—or forgetting—impact a society’s direction?Libraries as Spaces for DialogueShould libraries be places for civic repair or democratic renewal? What would that look like in practice?Video/ImageRaquel Ukeles speaking at Israel at a CrossroadsFurther Reading"National Library of Israel launches ‘unprecedented’ effort to collect everything it can about Oct. 7 attacks" eJewishPhilanthropy (November 9, 2023)National Library of Israel Links:Bearing Witness ArchiveExplore the CollectionsOctober 7th Memorial Wall

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