Sallai Meridor Named New National Library of Israel Chairman

The National Library of Israel Board of Directors has chosen Sallai Meridor to serve as its new chairman.

Meridor previously served as chairman of both the Jewish Agency for Israel and the World Zionist Organization. In 2006, he was appointed Israel's ambassador to the United States and in 2011 he became a founding partner of Glilot Capital Partners.

Meridor's appointment was approved by the National Library Council and the Senior Appointments Advisory Committee, following the recommendation of a search committee led by Prof. David Harel, chairman of the National Library Council and president of the Israel Academy of Sciences and Humanities.

According to Prof. Harel, "We believe that as the new board chair, Sallai Meridor will play a critical role in leading the renewal efforts of the National Library of Israel, one of the most important Jewish and Israeli cultural institutions, which is set to move to its new home adjacent to the Knesset in Jerusalem in just a few months. Meridor brings with him a commendable set of values, sense of mission and vision, which will help the National Library share its treasures and connect with all of Israel's citizens and the global Jewish community."

The NLI Board praised Meridor's extensive familiarity and involvement with the diverse communities of Israel and the Jewish people globally as factors that will significantly benefit the National Library in fulfillment of its mission.

Meridor received the news of his appointment with gratitude, excitement and hope, saying, "The National Library of Israel is the home of the book for the people of the book, the center of Jewish and Israeli culture, creativity and heritage. It serves as a leading cultural and educational institution for the Israeli public in all of its diversity, and for the global Jewish community. The National Library collections and treasures hold tremendous importance for scholars in Israel and internationally. The upcoming move to its new home and the most important investment in digitization and in digital access create a great opportunity for the Library to to be relevant to future generations and to serve as a global source of inspiration. Together with the National Library management and staff, we will work to further open the treasures of the Library to the public, both in Israel and around the globe. The National Library of Israel belongs to all of us, and each and every one of us is part of it."