The small city of Safed offers one of the best-stocked and reader-friendly English libraries in Israel. Founded over 40 years ago by the late Edyth Geiger, the Safed English Library continues to grow and expand its services to English-readers throughout the north and across the country. It houses two floors of fiction, non-fiction, children’s books, magazines… something for everyone. Hebrew-speakers, too, find the library an excellent resource for improving their English reading.
The library serves as an English speakers' social center (it is not a ‘silent’ library!); over half the volunteers are over 65 – the activity keeps them sane! It also sponsors events such as children’s story hour and a stamp club. And its services extend beyond Safed - the library routinely sends books to readers and smaller libraries all over the country.
There is no membership fee. However, readers are encouraged to support the library. Donating is a wonderful way to honor Edyth, who died in 2013 aged 94.