Aryeh Halivni

Toldot Yisrael is a Jerusalem-based nonprofit dedicated to documenting and sharing the firsthand accounts of the men and women who helped found the State of Israel. Since 2007, the organization has interviewed members of Israel’s 1948 generation to preserve their experiences for future audiences. Its collection includes more than 1,200 interviews and over 4,000 hours of recorded footage, covering subjects such as life under the British Mandate, the War of Independence, immigration, and the contributions of people in Israel and abroad.

The organization makes these historical stories accessible through filmed interviews, short documentaries, and educational initiatives. Its “Eyewitness 1948: The American Contribution” films highlight the lesser-known role of American Jews in Israel’s founding, including efforts to bring refugees, ships, supplies, and weapons to the country. Toldot Yisrael has also arranged for its archive to be permanently housed at Israel’s National Library, where the collection can be catalogued, preserved, and made available to the public. The partnership supports future access and educational collaboration, helping safeguard these testimonies for generations to come.