Alliance archive

The Alliance Library was founded in 1860, with the founding of the organization, with the intention of preserving Jewish heritage, and providing access to Jewish culture and the history of the Jewish people in the world. During World War II, the library was looted by the Nazis, and the organization's buildings where the books were stored were destroyed. After the war, the archive and library were rebuilt. The library is now considered the largest and most important private library in Europe on the subject of Judaism and the Hebrew language. It includes: manuscripts from the Middle Ages, fragments from the Cairo Genizah (including a manuscript signed by Maimonides), preserved Hebrew and Jewish works from the 15th and 20th centuries, a collection of illustrations and photographs. The library has close ties with important libraries in Europe, America and Israel. The library's archive is accessible to researchers dealing with the history of 'Alliance: All Israel Friends', French Jewry, Islamic countries, the Balkans and the Middle East, human rights, anti-Semitism, the history of Spanish Jewry and Zionism. The Bibliotheque exhibition is displayed digitally at the 'Alliance Museum'.