The Shrine of the Book Under Construction, Israel Museum, 1964.
Another ‘Once Upon a Time in Jerusalem’.
The structure was designed by architect Philip Bartos, who was chosen by the project’s sponsor, David Gottesman, in 1955.
Gottesman had purchased three of the Dead Sea Scrolls for the museum and agreed to fund the building to house them. Architect Bartos was selected due to his marriage to Celeste Ruth, Gottesman’s daughter. Bartos collaborated on the design with architect John Kessler.
Four additional scrolls were acquired by archaeologist and former IDF Chief of Staff Yigael Yadin.
Originally, the building was planned as part of the Givat Ram campus and was intended to serve as a section of the National Library.
The structure, with its distinctive shape resembling the clay jars in which the scrolls were preserved—or, as Jerusalemites nicknamed it, the Krembo—was an architectural bold statement.
It was initially meant to incorporate both water, which remains to this day, and fire, which was supposed to emerge from its dome. However, due to budget constraints, the fire feature was never implemented.
During a 2005 restoration attempt, there was an effort to reinstate the fire atop the dome, but preservation architects were denied approval by the fire department.
Two-thirds of the unique building is constructed underground—symbolizing the young state of Israel’s struggle to take root and establish itself.
In front of the Shrine of the Book stands a black basalt wall, contrasting with the white dome. The dark stone represents 2,000 years of exile, juxtaposed against the bright structure symbolizing the revival of the Jewish people in their homeland.
To this day, the Shrine of the Book houses the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Aleppo Codex, considered the most accurate surviving version of the Hebrew Bible. The codex has passed through many hands, and its journey to Jerusalem could easily serve as the plot of a cinematic thriller straddling the line between history and science fiction.
Standing proudly beside the Israel Museum, the Shrine of the Book has become one of Jerusalem’s most iconic landmarks.
This is our Jerusalem:
The historic Aleppo Codex alongside architectural nepotism, a modern and innovative building housing priceless ancient scrolls, deep roots, fire safety regulations, and a fusion of past and present—all interwoven in a unique and lively mosaic.
Shabbat Shalom from Jerusalem to all those far and near.
May all the hostages return swiftly to their homes, together with the soldiers of the IDF.
Photographer – Alfred Bernheim
