Israel Society for Biblical Research

The Israel Society for Biblical Research (Hebrew: החברה לחקר המקרא בישראל) is a non-profit association founded in 1950 by Professor Haim Gevaryahu and other leaders of Bible study circles in Israel's major cities. Its founding conference took place at a Bible convention in early April 1952. The Society's mission is to spread the study and research of the Hebrew Bible in Israel and among Jewish communities worldwide. It organizes Bible conventions, dozens of study circles across the country, and guided tours to archaeological sites and excavations. Over the years, the Society has been headed by prominent figures, including Israeli presidents Yitzhak Ben-Zvi and Zalman Shazar, and Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion served as its president and driving spirit. Among its initiatives are the Bible Study Circle at the Prime Minister's Residence, the International Bible Contest for youth and adults, and the establishment of the Bible House (Beit HaTanakh) in Tel Aviv. The Society has published dozens of books on biblical research and the journal Beit Mikra. Today, the Society is directed by CEO Israel Kristal (since 2017) and operates from offices at Bar-Ilan University. It continues to run lecture series such as 'Tanakhi Patuach' in collaboration with Bar-Ilan University, offers scholarships to students, and engages in educational programs for youth and pre-military academies. The Society also collaborates with the Knesset Bible Lobby and the Nahat (Bible-loving youth) organization. Its vision is to strengthen the experience of the Bible among Jewish populations in Israel and the Diaspora, uniting resources and associations under one roof to promote Bible study with love of the land and the people.

The Israel Society for Biblical Research was founded in 1950 by leaders of Bible study circles in Israel's major cities, who elected Dr. (later Professor) Haim Moshe Yitzhak Gevaryahu as chairman. Gevaryahu headed the Department for Education in the Diaspora at the Jewish Agency, and his office was adjacent to that of David Ben-Gurion. Their acquaintance led Gevaryahu to propose establishing a Bible study circle at the Prime Minister's Residence, which accelerated the Society's founding. The Society held its founding conference at a Bible convention in early April 1952. In the same decade, it held the first Bible Contest and founded the quarterly journal Beit Mikra, and established the Bible House museum in the Dizengoff House. The Society's development can be divided into four stages: the founding stage, the branch stage, the stage of cooperation with the Bible House, and the new management stage. During the branch stage, Gevaryahu and his colleagues initiated branches throughout the country, which at their peak numbered 50. Gradually the branches diminished; among the last surviving were the Tivon branch (managed by Shmuel Ben-Artzi) and the Tel Aviv branch (managed by attorney Baruch Kaplinsky). With Kaplinsky's death in 2008, the last branch ceased to exist. Several members of the Tel Aviv branch (Dalia Agmon, Bilha Halperin, and Danny Ofir), who also served as directors of the Bible House museum, took responsibility for the branch's future and arranged for the association's revival based on the Tel Aviv branch's assets. They provided an office in the museum and established friendly relations and cooperation (instead of the competition and even hostility that had prevailed) between the two sister associations. Joint activities included lectures, study tours, awarding prizes and scholarships, and publishing various publications. In 2017, Israel Kristal was appointed CEO of the Society; on his initiative, new members were accepted to the management, and management tools (treasurer, accounting, auditing) were transferred to them along with the Society's assets (cash and securities in banks, along with income-producing real estate). The Society's vision is to initiate, motivate, and accompany national social processes to empower the experience of the Bible world among all Jewish populations in Israel and the world. It aims to act tirelessly in light of the vision of the prophets and shepherds of the Bible to instill the Book of Books with its wealth of knowledge through a variety of tools and channels. The Society will consolidate existing resources and harness all associations and non-profits under one roof to leverage Bible study with love of the land and the people. Past activities include the Bible Study Circle at the Prime Minister's Residence, which the Society established at David Ben-Gurion's home and after his resignation moved to the President's Residence. Among other prominent figures who hosted the circle were Menachem Begin (as Prime Minister) and Ezer Weizman (as President). In May 2012, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu renewed the circle, and in September 2013 a meeting was held with the Chief Rabbis of Israel. The Society also engaged in publishing lectures delivered at the circle. The International Bible Contest for youth and adults was founded by the Society and is now operated by the Ministry of Education. The Society also organized Nahat (Bible-loving youth). The Bible House was established in 1978 in the Dizengoff House in Tel Aviv. The World Bible House in Jerusalem: the Society was initiatory and active in laying the cornerstone for the World Bible House in Jerusalem in October 1970; the Society's management continues to declare its intention to implement the plan according to the original plan submitted at the time on the land dedicated by state institutions for this purpose. Current activities include: Tanakhi Patuach, a lecture program in collaboration with Bar-Ilan University, now in its fifth year (2018), held every three weeks in the Mintz Hall at the university, with hundreds of participants, secular and religious alike. A scholarship program: the Society distributes scholarships totaling 15,000 NIS annually to students at Bar-Ilan and Haifa Universities and to outstanding high school students. The program is expected to expand to other universities and in amounts distributed. 'A Journey in the Footsteps of the Bible' – a lecture series at the Sha'arei Mishpat Academic Center in Hod HaSharon. 'Path-Breaking Encounters in the Bible' – a lecture series at the Kibbutzim College. The Society holds Bible series in pre-military academies. Cooperation with the Nahat organization. Cooperation with the Knesset Bible Lobby. A lecture series for the general public on topics in the biblical thought of Rabbi Jonathan Sacks. The Society works to encourage high school students to take the expanded track (5 units) in Bible matriculation exams. The Society launched a project called 'Bible on High – Bible Peak Days' designed for schools in the state stream, intended to connect teenagers to study in an experiential way. In its first year (2022), the project will operate as a pilot in five model schools. Establishment of 'Daily Bible' within the Kol Halashon project intended for the ultra-Orthodox public, delivered by an ultra-Orthodox rabbi with commentary from the sources. The Society's structure: CEO since 2017 is Israel Kristal. The Society's offices are currently located at Bar-Ilan University. Board members include Dr. Aliza Bloch, Yuval Ben-Yona, Prof. Gershon Galil, Dr. Edna Hilvitz, Boaz Hadad, Rabbi Ohad Teharlev, Rabbi Haim Aryeh Kahana, Adv. Menachem Nivental, CPA Dov Neve, Dr. Zeev (Vave) Friedman, Dr. Eti Shila-Ben Yishar, and Rabbi Eran Daum.

• 2022

  Launched 'Bible on High – Bible Peak Days' pilot project in five schools.

• 2018

  Tanakhi Patuach lecture series in its fifth year.

• 2017

  Israel Kristal appointed CEO; new management and assets transferred.

• 2013

  Meeting held with the Chief Rabbis of Israel in September.

• 2012

  Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu renewed the Bible Study Circle at the Prime Minister's Residence in May.

• 2008

  Last branch (Tel Aviv) ceased to exist after the death of Baruch Kaplinsky.

• 1978

  Bible House established in the Dizengoff House in Tel Aviv.

• 1970

  Cornerstone laid for the World Bible House in Jerusalem in October.

• 1958

  First Bible Contest held; quarterly journal Beit Mikra founded; Bible House museum established in Dizengoff House.

• 1952

  Founding conference held at a Bible convention in early April.

• 1950

  Society founded by Professor Haim Gevaryahu and other Bible study circle leaders.

The largest association in Israel for the dissemination and study of the Hebrew Bible.

• Beit Mikra journal

• Bible study circles

• International Bible Contest

• Tanakhi Patuach lecture series

• Scholarship program

• Bible on High – Bible Peak Days

• Daily Bible (Kol Halashon)

1. 1החברה לחקר המקראhamikra.org
2. 2Israel Society for Biblical Researchwikidata.org
3. 3החברה לחקר המקרא בישראלhe.wikipedia.org