Library Exhibits

“And the Bush Was Not Consumed”—The JTS Library Fire of 1966: Loss, Recovery & Renewal

September 15, 2026–May 20, 2027

This exhibit is open during Library hours. Join us for the opening event on Tuesday, September 15 at 5:30 p.m.

On the morning of April 18, 1966, a fire broke out in The Library of The Jewish Theological Seminary of America. The fire blazed for over five hours before it was brought under control by the Fire Department. The day after the fire, a massive effort began to remove books from the tower and to dry them before they became moldy and unusable. Thousands of volunteers joined together in these efforts. From around the country, people of all faiths and backgrounds offered support as JTS sought to rebuild The Library’s collection and physical home.

“And the Bush Was Not Consumed”—The JTS Library Fire of 1966: Loss, Recovery & Renewal opens with the story of the formation of The Library—an unparalleled collection of Jewish books and manuscripts—and documents the tragedy of the fire and the heroic response of the FDNY in April of 1966. It ends with the herculean and inspiring efforts of the librarians, scholars, students, philanthropists, and everyday people who came together to rescue and restore The Library’s holdings and to reimagine JTS’s scholarly mission.

Do you have a memory of the fire or of the salvage efforts? Please share it here.