Koren Publishers Jerusalem
An Israeli publishing house specializing in Jewish religious texts, Hebrew typography, prayer books, Bibles, Talmud editions, and contemporary Jewish scholarship.
Last updated August 24, 2026
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Overview
Koren Publishers Jerusalem is an Israeli publishing house founded in 1961 by graphic designer and typographer Eliyahu Koren. The company was established with an unusually specific cultural and religious objective: to produce a Hebrew Bible that was designed, edited, printed, and bound by Jews in Israel, restoring Jewish control over the complete publishing process after centuries in which major Hebrew Bible editions were frequently produced by non-Jewish printers or publishers. Its first major achievement was The Koren Bible, whose Torah section appeared during Hanukkah in 1962 and whose complete edition followed approximately two years later. The Koren Bible was distinguished not only by its editorial ambitions but also by its visual system. Eliyahu Koren created a dedicated typeface, Koren Bible Type, and developed a page design intended to preserve the unity and readability of Hebrew script while presenting vocalization and cantillation clearly. The edition drew on the work of the nineteenth-century German-Jewish grammarian and Masoretic scholar Wolf Heidenheim. It also sought to correct errors found in earlier editions. The Bible became widely used in Jewish communities and was accepted by Israel's Chief Rabbinate for Haftara readings when a handwritten scroll was not used. Before the Jerusalem Crown edition became prominent, it also served as the Bible used for the swearing-in of the President of Israel. Koren expanded beyond biblical publishing into prayer books, festival liturgy, educational materials, and editions for English-speaking and other international audiences. The Koren Siddur, introduced in 1981, applied the company's typographic and editorial philosophy to Jewish prayer. It used Koren Book Type and a layout designed to support legibility, orderly reading, and attention to the meaning of the liturgy. Later editions included bilingual Hebrew-English prayer books and mahzorim, including the Koren Sacks Siddur, developed with translation, introductions, and commentary by Rabbi Jonathan Sacks and released in 2009. The publisher's portfolio also includes the Koren Talmud Bavli, a bilingual Hebrew-Aramaic and English edition launched in 2012 with translation and commentary by Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz. Its format combines facing-page translation with maps, diagrams, and explanatory material, making the Talmud more accessible to English-speaking readers. Koren has also developed educational prayer books, including the Koren Children's Siddur and the Koren Ani Tefilla Weekday Siddur, in partnership with Yeshiva University and educators working on prayer instruction. Koren operates as both a religious-text publisher and a broader Jewish publishing house through associated imprints. Maggid Books, created in 2009, publishes contemporary scholarship, commentary, biography, and works addressing traditional Jewish texts and themes. Its publishing relationships have included Yeshivat Har Etzion, Yeshiva University, Ohr Torah Stone, the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies, and the City of David. Toby Press, established in 1999, publishes literary fiction, nonfiction, and poetry concerning Jewish and Israeli subjects and serves as a United States distributor for Koren publications. Since 2007, Matthew Miller has been identified as the publisher, while Rabbi Reuven Ziegler has served as chairman of the editorial board. The company remains associated with high standards of Hebrew typography, religious-text production, bilingual presentation, and the adaptation of classical Jewish sources for modern readers. Its publications have received National Jewish Book Awards and other recognition, and the Israel Postal Authority issued a stamp in 2012 marking the fiftieth anniversary of the Koren Jerusalem Bible.
History
Koren Publishers Jerusalem was founded in 1961 by Eliyahu Koren, a designer and typographer who wanted to create a Hebrew Bible under Jewish-Israeli editorial, typographic, printing, and binding control. The project was presented as a restoration of Jewish participation in the production of the Hebrew Bible after a long period in which important editions were printed or published by non-Jewish firms. Koren based the text, vocalization, and cantillation of its Bible on an edition associated with Wolf Heidenheim, while also revising the presentation and correcting errors identified in earlier editions. Koren's contribution was especially significant in typography. Eliyahu Koren designed Koren Bible Type and developed a page architecture intended to make Hebrew text, vowels, and cantillation readable without sacrificing visual unity. The Torah appeared in 1962 during Hanukkah, and the complete Bible was issued roughly two years later. The edition achieved broad acceptance across Jewish communities. Israel's Chief Rabbinate accepted it for Haftara readings when a handwritten scroll was not being used, and it served as the presidential oath Bible before the Jerusalem Crown edition became the better-known official alternative. A Hebrew-English version was subsequently produced with a translation by Harold Fisch. The Bible was not without scholarly criticism. Some Masoretic scholars questioned the editorial basis and the extent to which the edition represented an independent critical reconstruction. These criticisms form part of the scholarly discussion surrounding the Koren Bible, but they did not prevent the edition from becoming an influential religious and typographic publication. The company extended its approach to prayer books. The Koren Siddur, introduced in 1981, used Koren Book Type and a carefully structured layout intended to improve legibility and guide the reader through the service. Koren later published numerous editions of siddurim, mahzorim, Haggadot, the Five Megillot, and other Jewish religious works. Its publishing program increasingly addressed readers in English and other languages as well as Hebrew. In 2009, the company released the Koren Sacks Siddur, a Hebrew-English prayer book containing translation, introductions, and commentary by Rabbi Jonathan Sacks. Published with the Orthodox Union, it became particularly associated with Modern Orthodox readership. The volume included material reflecting religious life in the State of Israel, including prayers for the state, its soldiers, and national commemorations, as well as practical and explanatory content. Koren broadened its educational and scholarly reach in 2012 with the Koren Talmud Bavli. The edition presented the traditional Talmudic text alongside English translation and commentary based on Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz's work. Maps, diagrams, and notes were incorporated to make the text more approachable for readers whose primary language was English. The project received significant attention and later won a National Jewish Book Award. The publisher also developed educational siddurim with Yeshiva University. Announced in 2014, the Koren Magerman Educational Siddur Series included an illustrated children's siddur for early elementary students and the Ani Tefilla Weekday Siddur for older students and adults. The latter used layered commentary, reflective questions, frequently asked questions, and explanations of prayer and spirituality based on educational experience. Koren's broader publishing identity was reinforced by two associated imprints. Toby Press, created in 1999, focuses on fiction, nonfiction, and poetry connected to Jewish and Israeli themes and distributes Koren titles in the United States. Maggid Books, created in 2009, publishes contemporary treatments of Jewish texts, history, thought, and leadership. Maggid has worked with institutions including Yeshivat Har Etzion, Yeshiva University, Ohr Torah Stone, Pardes, and the City of David. Its series have addressed biblical commentary, Torah study, and the ideas of major Jewish thinkers. The company has received recognition for both its design standards and its publications. Individual titles have won or been shortlisted for National Jewish Book Awards, including works by and about Jewish scholars and religious thinkers. In 2012, the Israel Postal Authority marked the fiftieth anniversary of the Koren Jerusalem Bible with an official stamp. Since 2007, Matthew Miller has been identified as publisher, and Rabbi Reuven Ziegler as chairman of the editorial board. Koren continues to operate as a specialist publisher of Jewish religious texts, combining traditional content with modern typography, editorial development, and international-language editions.
- 2014
Educational siddur series is announced
[1]Koren and Yeshiva University announce the Koren Magerman Educational Siddur Series for children, students, and adults.
- 2012
Koren Talmud Bavli launches
[1]The publisher launches a bilingual Talmud edition based on Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz's commentary and translation.
- 2012
The Koren Jerusalem Bible receives anniversary recognition
[1]The Israel Postal Authority issues a stamp honoring the Bible's fiftieth anniversary.
- 2009
Maggid Books is created
[1]Koren establishes an imprint focused on contemporary approaches to Jewish texts and themes.
- 2009
Koren Sacks Siddur is published
[1]Koren releases a Hebrew-English siddur with translation, introduction, and commentary by Rabbi Jonathan Sacks.
- 2007
Matthew Miller becomes publisher
[1]Matthew Miller is identified as the publisher of Koren Publishers Jerusalem.
- 1999
Toby Press is created
[1]The associated imprint begins publishing literary fiction, nonfiction, and poetry on Jewish and Israeli themes.
- 1981
The Koren Siddur is introduced
[1]Koren applies its typographic and layout principles to a new prayer book using Koren Book Type.
- 1964
The complete Koren Bible follows
[1]The full Bible is published approximately two years after the Torah section.
- 1962
The Torah section of The Koren Bible is published
[1]The first part of the Koren Bible appears during Hanukkah, using Koren Bible Type and a new page design.
Products and positioning
A specialist Jewish publisher combining traditional religious authority with exacting Hebrew typography, modern editorial design, bilingual accessibility, and contemporary scholarship.
Hebrew Bible · 1962
The Koren Bible
Koren's foundational Bible edition, designed around Eliyahu Koren's custom Hebrew typeface and page layout. The edition draws on Wolf Heidenheim's textual, vocalization, and cantillation tradition while seeking to improve accuracy and readability. It became widely used in Jewish communities and was accepted by Israel's Chief Rabbinate for certain Haftara readings when a handwritten scroll was unavailable.
Prayer book · 1981
The Koren Siddur
Introduced in 1981, The Koren Siddur applies the publisher's typographic philosophy to Jewish prayer. It uses Koren Book Type and a structured graphic design intended to support clear reading, preserve the sequence of the service, and help readers engage with the meaning of the liturgy. Koren has produced multiple editions and related versions for different communities and uses.
Bilingual prayer book · 2009
Koren Sacks Siddur
A Hebrew-English siddur published in 2009 with English translation, introductions, and commentary by Rabbi Jonathan Sacks. Produced with the Orthodox Union, it includes material reflecting Orthodox Jewish life in Israel, including prayers for the state, its soldiers, and national holidays, along with practical guidance and additional liturgical explanations.
Bilingual Talmud · 2012
Koren Talmud Bavli
A bilingual edition of the Babylonian Talmud launched in 2012. It presents Hebrew and Aramaic text with facing English translation and commentary based on Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz's work. Maps, diagrams, and explanatory notes are integrated into the format to make the Talmud more accessible to English-speaking students and general readers.
Educational prayer books · 2014
Koren Magerman Educational Siddur Series
A series developed with Yeshiva University and announced in 2014. It includes the illustrated Koren Children's Siddur for early elementary students and the Koren Ani Tefilla Weekday Siddur for older students and adults. The materials use age-appropriate explanations, layered commentary, reflective questions, and practical discussion of prayer and spirituality.
Jewish scholarship and commentary imprint · 2009
Maggid Books
Established in 2009, Maggid Books publishes contemporary scholarship and accessible works on Jewish texts, history, thought, and leadership. Its catalog includes collaborations with Jewish educational institutions and series such as Torah MiEtzion, Torah Lights, Maggid Studies in Tanakh, and works by or about influential Jewish thinkers.
Literary publishing imprint · 1999
Toby Press
Created in 1999, Toby Press publishes fiction, nonfiction, and poetry dealing with Jewish and Israeli themes. It also serves as the United States distributor for Koren Publishers Jerusalem, extending the house's reach in the American market.
Marketing campaigns
- 2013Radical Responsibility Jerusalem International Book Fair launch
Israel
Maggid Books launched Radical Responsibility: Celebrating the Thought of Chief Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks at the Jerusalem International Book Fair. The event featured Jonathan Sacks, Binyamin Lau, and Moshe Halbertal discussing leadership and attracted more than 1,000 attendees.
Outcome. The launch was reported as a record-setting event for Maggid Books at the fair.
Brand decisions
2014
Develop an educational siddur programProduct launchBackground
Koren and Yeshiva University sought a new approach to teaching prayer in schools, homes, and synagogues.
Action taken
The partners announced the Koren Magerman Educational Siddur Series, including separate materials for young children, high-school students, and adults.
Aftermath
The series expanded Koren's educational publishing program beyond standard adult prayer books.
2012
Launch the Koren Talmud BavliProduct launchBackground
English-speaking readers needed a more accessible format for studying the Babylonian Talmud alongside the traditional text.
Action taken
Koren introduced a bilingual edition with Steinsaltz-based translation and commentary, maps, diagrams, and explanatory notes.
Aftermath
The project was praised for expanding access to Talmud study and won a 2012 National Jewish Book Award.
2009
Launch the Koren Sacks SiddurProduct launchBackground
Koren sought to make its prayer-book design and Orthodox liturgical content available to English-speaking readers.
Action taken
The publisher released a Hebrew-English siddur with translation and commentary by Rabbi Jonathan Sacks in partnership with the Orthodox Union.
Aftermath
The siddur was widely celebrated among Modern Orthodox Jews and became a prominent international Koren title.
1961
Establish a Jewish-Israeli Bible publishing programStrategyBackground
Eliyahu Koren sought to create a Hebrew Bible produced under Jewish editorial, design, printing, and binding control in Israel.
Action taken
Koren founded a dedicated publishing house and developed a new typeface and page design for the Bible project.
Aftermath
The resulting Koren Bible became a widely used edition and established the company's long-term identity in Jewish religious publishing.
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