Jewish Virtual Library - JVL

10/13/2026

Before GPS and modern navigation, Abraham Zacuto helped sailors find their way across the oceans. The Sephardic Jewish astronomer’s groundbreaking tables informed the voyages of Vasco da Gama and Pedro Álvares Cabral and circulated among other leading navigators of the era.

Expelled from Spain and later forced to flee Portugal, Zacuto also wrote Sefer ha-Yuhasin, an influential chronicle of Jewish history. Discover the remarkable life of the scientist, exile, and historian whose work helped reshape the world:

https://jewishvirtuallibrary.org/abraham-zacuto

10/09/2026

From hiding under an assumed name in wartime France to winning the 2026 Nobel Prize in Chemistry at 95, Henri B. Kagan’s life spans survival and scientific discovery.
Meet the French Jewish chemist whose pioneering research on molecular “handedness” helped shape pharmaceutical manufacturing. Explore his remarkable story in the Jewish Virtual Library.
https://jewishvirtuallibrary.org/henri-kagan

10/08/2026

Why has antisemitism surged online since October 7, and why has Israel struggled to make its case on the same platforms?
In a paper published by the Jewish Virtual Library, Dr. Aaron T. Walter examines how social media algorithms reward polarizing content, how disputes over the definition of antisemitism complicate moderation, and what these forces mean for Israel’s public diplomacy.

Read the full paper: https://jewishvirtuallibrary.org/digital-antisemitism-and-the-israeli-narrative-in-social-media-environments-definitional-contest-algorithmic-amplification-and-the-battle-for-legitimacy-after-october-7

10/07/2026

Three years since October 7, we remember the lives stolen, honor the survivors, and stand with the families whose worlds were forever changed. May the memory of those we lost be a blessing.

For remembrance and understanding, explore JVL’s comprehensive collection of entries on October 7 and the war that followed:
https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/the-war-in-gaza

10/06/2026

🇺🇸🇮🇱 Tonight at 7 p.m. EDT, join the Jewish Virtual Library for Part I of From Truman to Trump: How U.S. Presidents Shaped the U.S.-Israel Relationship.

Beginning before Israel’s establishment, Dr. Mitchell Bard will trace the story from Woodrow Wilson through John F. Kennedy. He will examine how successive administrations approached Zionism, Israel’s creation, and the young country’s developing relationship with the United States.

Register:

Welcome! You are invited to join a meeting: JVL Webinar - Presidents and Partnership: The Evolution of U.S.-Israel Relations. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the meeting.

10/05/2026

🇮🇱🇧🇹 Israel’s ties with Bhutan began long before diplomatic relations were established in 2020.

Our new entry traces decades of agricultural training and professional exchanges, the path to formal relations, and plans for the first direct flights in 2027.

Explore Israel’s relationship with this Himalayan kingdom:
https://jewishvirtuallibrary.org/israel-bhutan-relations

10/02/2026

Can party loyalty come at the expense of confronting antisemitism?

Dr. Mitchell Bard examines the controversy surrounding Abdul El-Sayed’s Michigan Senate campaign and argues that concerns about Jewish security should not be dismissed for political gain.

Read his commentary: https://www.jns.org/opinion/column/mitchell-bard/will-michigan-jews-vote-for-antisemitism

10/01/2026

What does “maximum pressure” on Iran involve?

From oil exports and “shadow fleet” tankers to banking networks and weapons procurement, the Jewish Virtual Library tracks the U.S. campaign to restrict the Iranian regime’s revenue and disrupt sanctions evasion.

Explore the timeline, policy decisions, and sources:
https://jewishvirtuallibrary.org/return-to-maximum-pressure-on-iran

09/30/2026

Big questions deserve well-sourced answers. Meet mAImonides, the Jewish Virtual Library’s new AI research assistant!

Explore Jewish history, Israel, Zionism, antisemitism, and Jewish life with clear, concise answers grounded in JVL’s collection of more than 27,000 entries—with links to the articles behind them.

Whether you’re researching a topic, preparing for a conversation, or checking a claim you’ve seen online, start with mAImonides and follow the sources.

Get started now:
https://jewishvirtuallibrary.org/mAImonides-chat

Watch our short video tutorial:
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/MG3A61DT57k

09/29/2026

How has the U.S.-Israel relationship evolved from Truman to Trump?
Join us on October 6, 2026, at 7 p.m. EDT for From Truman to Trump: U.S.-Israel Relations Across Administrations. Dr. Mitchell Bard will examine how different American presidents approached Israel, including their policies, priorities, relationships with Israeli leaders, and responses to major diplomatic and security developments.
Register: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/ClYStdUSRxioIJFOk1uiWA