Ben-Zvi Institute

Israeli archaeological organization

Also known as: Institute for Research of Jewish Middle Eastern Communities(Show More)

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June 22, 2026

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The Ben-Zvi Institute, founded in 1948 by Itzhak Ben-Zvi, is an Israeli organization dedicated to researching Jewish communities in the Middle East. Ben-Zvi, who later became the second president of Israel, was a prominent Zionist leader involved in establishing key political, economic, and military institutions for the formation of the state.1

The institute's work aligns with the broader context of Jewish history and the diaspora, which refers to the dispersion of Jewish people outside of their ancestral homeland. This dispersal has occurred throughout history, with significant events like the Babylonian Exile and the Roman destruction of the Second Temple leading to Jewish communities settling across the globe. The Ben-Zvi Institute contributes to understanding the rich history and cultural development of these dispersed communities.2

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Itzhak Ben-Zvi
…Middle Eastern Communities (now the Ben-Zvi Institute) in 1948 and directed it until 1960. He wrote a history of the Jews, The Exiled and the Redeemed (1958).
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…Middle Eastern Communities (now the Ben-Zvi Institute) in 1948 and directed it until 1960. He wrote a history of the Jews, The Exiled and the Redeemed (1958).
Read More