We at JBI mourn the incredible loss of life during the terror attacks in Israel and we pray for comfort for those who have lost friends and family. We stand with the Israeli people, and we are praying for an end to all violence and for lasting peace.
We will continue our work around the world to connect people who are blind, have low vision, or are print-disabled with the beautiful traditions of Judaism.
In collaboration with the Jewish Book Council, JBI is recording Israeli writers’ firsthand accounts, as shared with and published by JBC, to increase the accessibility of these accounts for individuals who are blind, have low vision, or are print-disabled. You can listen to these pieces at https://jbilibrary.org/jbi-jbc. We will continue to add recordings to this page, as they become available.
We have produced a special edition of our periodical, JBI Voices (in Digital Talking Book format) and the Jewish Braille Review. To receive a copy, please email library@jbilibrary.org.
Central Synagogue has shared with our patrons a moving rendition of Hatikvah, the National Anthem of Israel, from Rabbi Angela Buchdahl’s Shabbat sermon on October 13, 2023. We thank Central Synagogue for making this recording available. Click here to listen.
A few of the exciting things taking place at JBI - opportunities and updates for patrons, organizational partnerships, and more.
Braille and large print Chanukah blessings, listen to the candle lighting blessings, and more
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Our pilot program with PJ Library enables families and loved ones of individuals with visual impairment to read books together.
Learn more
Each year, the Nathan L. & Suzanne K. Wolfson Fund provides merit awards to legally blind Jewish undergraduate and graduate students.
Meet our scholars
Read the Latest Update from Executive Director Livia Thompson
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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!
Anyone who is visually impaired, blind, physically disabled, or reading disabled is eligible to receive our free services.
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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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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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"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
