The JBI Library
Founded in 1931, JBI is a nonprofit organization that enables people of all ages and backgrounds who are blind, have low vision, or are print disabled to fully participate and feel connected to all aspects of Jewish life, from culture, education, and community to religious practice. We are committed to increasing accessibility and inclusion so that anyone who wants to connect to Jewish life can access and engage with the written word, independently and without obstacles, to participate, celebrate, learn, and pray. All materials are provided free of charge and delivered directly to our patrons.
Our Services include our Circulating Library, Liturgical & Lifecycle Materials, Customized Materials, access to Jewish Culture & Community and Accessibility Consulting Services.
Visit our highlights below to register for our upcoming programs, such as our Judaism 101 Series, English and Russian Book Clubs, and our January 2025 Jewish Poetry workshop.
Image: Grace at her Bat Mitzvah
Image: A JBI Patron, sitting at a table and smiling
Image: A man reading a book with his granddaughter
Highlights
A few of the things taking place at JBI - opportunities and updates for patrons, organizational partnerships, and more.
Witnessing. A special series featuring works from Israeli authors, authors in Israel, and Jewish writers around the globe in the aftermath of October 7th.
Jewish Book Council Collaboration
We’ve recorded Israeli writers’ firsthand accounts, essays, and poetry, as shared with and published by JBC.

Listen Here
Three documents that are accessible, self-guided museum tours
Free Accessible Materials for NYC Nonprofits
Learn more
On a light blue background, the text states 'Judaism 101 Learning Series' with a dark and light blue Jewish star below
JBI Judaism 101 Series
Register for JBI’s exciting new learning series.

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Rolled up scrolls of The Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution
Jewish Voices on Democracy

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An animation of four hands holding books that meet in the center. Text states 'JBI Book Clubs: Virtual and Year-Round'
Book Clubs with JBI
JBI offers fully accessible English and Russian book clubs that are virtual and year-round. Register for an upcoming book club.

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A black outline of a notebook with the JBI logo top of center. Text states 'Jewish Poetry Workshops'
Jewish Poetry Workshops with JBI
JBI is excited to announce our new poetry series!

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A document with the word 'Diploma' written in English scribe.
The Nathan L. and Suzanne K. Wolfson Scholarship
Meet our 2024/2025 winners.

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2023 JBI Annual Report
JBI’s 2023 Annual Report

Read it Here

JBI’s Values

Access: We are committed to ensuring that all individuals have equal access to our resources and services. We strive to eliminate barriers and provide multiple formats and methods to meet the diverse needs of our community.

Bridge Building: As part of a wider community, we work with individuals and organizations to create connections and share a vision where everyone who seeks to enrich their Jewish life can do so readily.

Caring: We provide personalized attention and care that responds to individual needs and interests to help people engage in our inclusive community the way they prefer through braille, large print, audio, or other formats, methods, or whatever means they desire.

Jewish Living: Judaism draws a direct line between the importance of texts and Jewish identity and continuity. We believe in the beauty and power of Jewish teachings and community in all its formats and denominations and believe access should be available to all.

Representation: All communities benefit when people with a variety of identities play meaningful roles. JBI Library actively seeks diverse representation from all within our community to serve as part of our board, our volunteers, and our staff.

Respect: We recognize every person’s equal value and treat one another with dignity.

JBI in Your Life
We are committed to increasing accessibility and inclusion for all individuals living with vision impairment, from our youngest readers pursuing a Jewish education to adults seeking materials for pleasure or religious observance to families who read together—and everyone in between with an interest in Jewish life and culture. Our services are always provided free of charge!
Register with us
Anyone who is visually impaired, blind, physically disabled, or reading disabled is eligible to receive our free services.

Register now
Our offerings
JBI provides access to a vast circulating library, liturgical and lifecycle materials, and customized materials in a variety of accessible formats and multiple languages.

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Show your support
With help from donors like you, JBI is able to continue providing free of charge critical, life-altering services to the visually impaired around the world.

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See what our patrons are saying
"Not everybody understands what an avid reader experiences when he/she suddenly becomes visually impaired. JBI is doing a great job helping people like me. Thanks to you I see new perspectives. You have helped improve my life quality."
Yakov G. • St. Petersburg, Russia
"After my husband became blind, the wonderful Talking Books you sent him brought him hours and hours of pleasure. Thank you for making his difficult problems so much more bearable."
Mildred R. • New York, NY
"When I gave my mother the Large Print Haggadah, her face lit up. She was so grateful that she won't have to just listen at her communal Seder, but be able to follow along as she has always done. Your work is really appreciated."
Chana H. • Ra'anana, Israel
"Although Tyler received many wonderful gifts on his Bar Mitzvah, yours was surely his greatest gift. Tyler will never be blind to the beauty of his heritage, in large part thanks to JBI. With gratitude from one proud and thankful family."
Stephanie K. • Leawood, KS
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