ESRA Second Story Bookshop

03/06/2026

'Winning the Narrative: Hasbara and Israel’s Global Image' with Prof. Eli Avraham
*Monday, 29 June 2026 at 19:00
*ESRA members: ₪35 | Non-members: ₪50

To register click the register button at:
https://www.esra.org.il/event/winning-the-narrative-hasbara-and-israels-global-image/

Booking Office
09-9508371 (ext 2) | [email protected]

*Why communication matters in times of crisis.
How Israel is seen, understood, and represented around the world has become one of the most urgent questions of our time. In moments of conflict and crisis, the battle for public opinion can shape international support, media coverage, and the way Israel’s story is heard.

Join us for an authors’ talk with Prof. Eli Avraham, a leading Israeli academic specialising in communication, media coverage of Israel, nation-branding, and crisis communication. As Head of the Department of Communication at the University of Haifa, Prof. Avraham has researched how global media portrays Israel and explores these themes in his book 'Measuring Goliath'.

He will discuss why Hasbara is not only about public relations, but also about national resilience, coordination, and security. He will examine the challenges Israel faces in presenting its message clearly and effectively during ongoing crises.

The talk will be followed by a Q&A session and book signing.

Venue:: Private home in Zichron Ya’akov. Address to be provided after registration.

For enquiries:
Jane: 054 740 5047
Gary: 053 480 5881

23/05/2026

*ESRA SECOND STORY BOOK SHOP*
See our LATEST STOCK.
Open 10am to 12 noon
Tuesdays and Fridays.
All books only nis10.
Some even nis5.

1 Hashmurah, Zichron Ya'akov.
Upstairs via staircase nearest to Carrefour or elevator at the far end of the block.

*Funds raised go to ESRA's welfare and educational projects.

*The shop is currently seeking donations of children's books in English in good condition.

To order online for collection, email [email protected]

New volunteers welcome!
For further info tel Sylvia on 058 725 6366

Shared album · Tap to view!

20/05/2026

**ESRA Five Towns: Guided Tour of the Atlit Detention Camp on May 24th at 11:00, arrive by 10:45 with ID. There is no bus, so arriving by private car is required.
**See photo for further important details. **

To register go to https://esrail.formtitan.com/ftproject/main-event-registration?event_name=5Towns-Atlit-Detention-Tour-24.5.26

Or contact Sylvia:
058 725 6366 *

A 20-minute drive north from Zichron Ya’akov on Route2, the Atlit Detention Camp tells the powerful story of Jewish immigration during the British Mandate period. Visitors can explore original barracks, watchtowers, and exhibits that bring to life the challenges faced by detainees and the resilience they showed. Highlights include the ship Galina, an interactive exhibit that simulates the perilous sea journey. English speaking guide. Followed by optional brunch. Full details coming soon . *If you have previously registered for the postponed event you will not need to register again and should receive a confirmation email from ESRA's booking office.*

08/05/2026

ESRA FIVE TOWNS
'WORDMAKER' Film Screening
Monday, 18 May 2026 at 19:00
Price:
ESRA members: ₪35 | Non-members: ₪50
At a private home in Zichron Ya'akov

Join us for an intimate film screening, featuring 'Wordmaker' — the powerful and dramatic story of Eliezer Ben Yehuda, the man who almost single-handedly led the revival of the Hebrew language after nearly 2,000 years.

Produced by Belfilms, an Israeli company renowned for thoughtful, research-driven documentaries of historical and cultural significance, Wordmaker is the first of four films selected for screening by ESRA Five Towns.

To register : Email the Hon. Secretary, Jane, via [email protected] or phone 054 740 5047 for reservations or use this link to register online:

https://esrail.formtitan.com/ftproject/main-event-registration?event_name=Five-Towns-Wordmaker-Film-18.5.26&fbclid=IwVERDUARqWAhleHRuA2FlbQIxMABzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAwzNTA2ODU1MzE3MjgAAR5hicfxGA3scgNSCYLZ4FiJoGpY2kt9JIhWBXYw4KvciU9sA1tXm5iFzD1yQg_aem_8vK9-6XqVlK3ZOxkqm-3Jg

* * *
Denounced as a heretic for daring to use the sacred language in everyday life, Ben Yehuda was dismissed as a dreamer. Yet with extraordinary determination, he tirelessly created new words to meet the needs of the modern world — often at great personal cost to his health and family. In 1922, the year of his death, Hebrew was officially recognized as one of the languages of Mandatory Palestine — arguably one of the most profound revolutions of Zionism.

Selected for the Prix Italia (1993), this moving documentary brings to life the vision, struggle, and legacy of a man who reshaped Jewish history.

10/03/2026

Please note !
All ESRA Five Towns events before Pesach are now postponed owing to the situation.
We hope to resume 'normal service', all being well, before too long.

To check on the Book Shop opening status for any given Tuesday or Friday morning please contact Sylvia on
058 725 6366.

Keep safe and be well!

The ESRA Five Towns branch committee looks forward to seeing everyone soon.

Chairman: Gary Schulman;

Hon. Secretary: Jane Krivine;

Treasurer: Andy Harwood;

Book Shop & ETP: Sylvia Harwood;

Ex officio: Lucille Cohen

Robin Froumin , Suzanne Guata, Betty Kazin.

05/03/2026

We had been planning on opening the ESRA bookshop upstairs at Hashmura 1, Zichron Ya'akov, today Friday 10am -12noon, but owing to the situation, we are sorry to advise that it will remain closed today and until further advice. Orders are still possible. Please see the photos of our current stock in a post further below.

15/02/2026

Join ESRA Five towns for three upcoming events (subject to the current situation):

* 12 March (POSTPONED)
- Atlit Trip plus
Optional Brunch

*19 March - Movie Night.
'Wordmaker'

Date tba: Supper Quiz
- - - -
19 MARCH ** A screening of
‘Wordmaker’
Tickets NIS 35 for ESRA members, NIS 50 for non-members.

The movie tells the story of Eliezer Ben Yehuda who almost singlehandedly and stubbornly led the revival of the Hebrew language, barely spoken for 2000 years. Denounced as a heretic for daring to use the sacred language in everyday life , he was dismissed as a dreamer as he pressed on tirelessly, coining new words to fit the needs of the modern world - often at the expense of his health and family. Selected for the Prix Italia 1993.
To register go to: https://esrail.formtitan.com/ftproject/main-event-registration?event_name=Five-Towns-Wordmaker-Film-19.3.26

12 MARCH **Guided Tour of the Atlit Detention Camp
Members 20nis/30nis non-members. (Does NOT include variable entry fee.)

A 20-minute drive north from Zichron Ya’akov, the Atlit Detention Camp tells the powerful story of Jewish immigration during the British Mandate period. Visitors can explore original barracks, watchtowers, and exhibits that bring to life the challenges faced by detainees and the resilience they showed. Highlights include the ship Galina, an interactive exhibit that simulates the perilous sea journey. English speaking guide. Followed by optional brunch.
To register go to:
https://esrail.formtitan.com/ftproject/main-event-registration?event_name=5Towns-Atlit-Detention-Tour-12.3.26

Date tba **Supper Quiz

The Quiz Knight has a mind that absorbs peculiar and fascinating facts and images. In his younger years Jonathan Shapiro arranged quizzes for the original five towns of Zichron Ya’akov, Pardes Hanna, Hadera, Binyamina and Givat Ada. Now retired he has time to go back to his love of trivia. Join us for a night of peculiar mind bending.

Links to registration will be sent as soon as available.

For enquiries, please email the Hon. Secretary, Jane Krivine, via [email protected].

12/02/2026

ESRA Five Towns hosted a fascinating trip to the National Library in Jerusalem - providing plenty of food for thought for the maximum capacity of 30 participants.

Even those who had visited before learned of new aspects, and many left expressing a wish to revisit.

The 1.5 hour guided tour provided insights into the history of the library, a selection of its precious holdings and a view of how it's hi-tech sorting and selection in the stores take place. It was revealed that one of the reasons this was done robotically, apart from efficiency, is that owing to the risk of fire, oxygen levels are kept at a low 14% - a level at which humans could not cope.
Other tours available stress the sustainability or architecture of the library.
Afterwards, participants enjoyed lunch in the library restaurant or made their own arrangements.
Participants expressed their appreciation shortly afterwards in messages sent to Five Towns chairman Gary Schulman:

* Thanks so much it was truly wonderful & I hope to come again.
* Thank you for organising. We found it fascinating. Already been searching their online catalogues
* Thank you for organizing this guided tour. Much appreciated. It was a good intro. Will definitely come back.
* It was a fabulous morning! The guide was excellent. Loved every minute. Thank you for organising the visit

26/01/2026

ESRA FIVE TOWNS
Thursday, 19 February 2026 at 10:00
Join us for
*Coffee & Croissants *
When art historian
*CAROLINE IGRA* presents her latest book:
*'PICTURES of MY DESIRE'*
*At a private home in Zichron Ya'akov

* ESRA Members nis35/
Non-members nis50

To REGISTER: https://ireneo.formtitan.com/ftproject/Main-Event-Registration?event_name=5Towns-Carolina-Igra-19.2.26

CAROLINE Goldberg Igra’s recently published third novel 'Pictures of My Desire' received a starred review from Kirkus, making it one of the year's most recommended works.

It explores art, passion, inherited Holocaust trauma and the larger subject of stolen property during World War II.

Her talk, accompanied by visual material, will focus on the search to recover property and artwork that was taken from Jews during the Holocaust, as well as their restitution.

Dr. Caroline Goldberg Igra is a freelance writer, an art historian, and a triathlete. She lives in Tel Aviv after decades in Caesarea, but hails from Philadelphia.

She has a doctorate in Art History and taught at the University of Haifa for years.

Register via the hotlink above or the ESRA Booking Office,
Sun - Thurs 09:00 to 14:00
T: 09-9508371 (ext 2)
E: [email protected]

For further info,
contact Jane : 054 740 5047

20/01/2026

NOW FULL!
ESRA Five Towns branch
Tuesday, 10 February 2026 at 11:00
GUIDED TOUR of the
NATIONAL LIBRARY of ISRAEL , Kaplan Street 1, Jerusalem

*ESRA members NIS 60 | Seniors NIS 45 /
*Non-members NIS 80 | Seniors NIS 60 /

*Open for all branches to Register: https://ireneo.formtitan.com/ftproject/Main-Event-Registration?event_name=5Towns-National-Library-10.2.26

Step into the National Library of Israel and travel through thousands of years of stories, ideas, and culture. Join this guided tour to see the rare treasures and the stunning architecture of this new and exceptional contribution to our Jewish and Israeli history..

1. Five Towners MEET AT Binyamina station, for 8.56 train to Jerusalem Yitzhak Navon (change at Ben Gurion Airport). Train arrives 10:22.

2 Exit the station at the sign “Exit to Shazar Boulevard”. Cross the street and find bus stop “D2”. The National Library is a 10/12-minute bus ride. Take the 14, 90 or 97 bus and get off at “Knesset/Kaplan” from where it is a 200m walk

3. Everyone is invited:
MEET INSIDE the ENTRANCE of the LIBRARY at 10.50am. Late arrivals contact Jane Krivine on 0547-405-047

4. Guide price included

5. There is a restaurant and a café at the library or join ESRA Five Towns branch for lunch in Mahane Yehuda.

ESRA Booking Office:
Use the hotlink (above) to register or via;
*09-9508371 (ext 2)
*[email protected]
*Sun - Thurs 09:00 to 14:00