Yedlin Memorial Library

The Moshe Yedlin Memorial Library at Beth Shalom Synagogue is Edmonton’s largest dedicated Jewish library. With over 4,500 titles, our collection spans every area of Jewish interest. Whether you are studying, researching, or simply exploring, our shelves offer something for every age and interest.

Explore our online catalogue to search titles, place holds, or renew items.

Contact us at yedlinlibrary@gmail.com to register for online access.

Library Collection

Our collection is continually updated with new acquisitions and generous community donations. Shelves span the full range of Jewish thought, history, and creativity:

• Sacred Texts – Bible, Talmud, Jewish philosophy, and classic commentaries
• Jewish History & Culture – from the ancient world to modern Israel and the Diaspora
• Holocaust Studies – an extensive collection, including reference works and encyclopedias
• Literature – Jewish and Hebrew fiction, biographies, and contemporary works
• Arts & Media – music, film, CDs, and DVDs
• Children & Teens – books and resources for young readers

Hours & Access

The library is open during regular synagogue office hours:

• Monday – Thursday: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
• Friday: 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
  
  Volunteers will be available at set times each week to assist patrons. Training is provided, and no prior experience is necessary.

Borrowing & Catalogue

• Reference materials may be used in the library.
• Books, CDs, and DVDs may be borrowed for three weeks, with extensions available.
• Explore our online catalogue to search titles, place holds, or renew items.
• Contact us at yedlinlibrary@gmail.com to register for online access.

Programs & Events

The library hosts special programs throughout the year, such as:

• Annual book sales
• Author events and book launches
• Community book clubs and learning sessions

Support the Library

The Moshe Yedlin Memorial Library thrives on community support. You can help by:

• Volunteering – assist with cataloguing, shelving, or greeting patrons (no experience necessary).
• Donating – contribute funds in honour or memory of someone, or donate Judaica books and collections. To arrange a book donation, please contact Netta at Nettaphillet@gmail.com before dropping off any books.

History of the Moshe Yedlin Memorial Library

The Moshe Yedlin Memorial Library was born from the vision of Moshe Yedlin (1914–1991) — a Judaic scholar, teacher, and longtime member of Beth Shalom Synagogue.

In the mid-1980s, after retiring from decades of teaching at the Edmonton Talmud Torah, Moshe turned his attention to establishing a synagogue library that would serve both Beth Shalom and the wider Jewish community. He presented his idea to the Board, which gave its approval. With support from Professor Bruce Elman, then Dean of Law at the University of Alberta, the groundwork began. Two graduate students from the university assisted in creating the first card catalogue to reference the small collection of books that Moshe gathered.

By 1989, the holdings had grown to about 650 titles, and in November of that year the library was officially inaugurated. It quickly became a resource for Jewish learning and study in Edmonton.

When Moshe passed away in 1991, his wife, Dr. Tova Yedlin, carried his vision forward, serving as chair of the library committee. Under her leadership and with the support of a small but dedicated committee, volunteers organized, catalogued, and staffed the library. Through generous donations of funds and books, including entire Judaica collections, the library continued to expand.

Financial support also came from the Beth Shalom Board through an annual budget of $500. In addition, contributions from relatives and friends in memory of Mr. Yedlin made it possible to establish the Yedlin Library Fund, providing a lasting foundation for growth.

In 1998, the library was formally dedicated in Moshe Yedlin’s memory. Since then, it has grown to thousands of volumes, making it the largest dedicated Jewish library in Edmonton. Today, it continues to serve the community as a center for Jewish learning, culture, and research.

Today, the Moshe Yedlin Memorial Library continues to honor its founder’s vision: to provide a living resource for learning, inspiration, and connection across generations. Its shelves reflect the diversity of Jewish experience — from ancient texts to modern scholarship, from history to literature, from philosophy to children’s stories. Thanks to the ongoing support of volunteers, donors, and the Beth Shalom community, the library remains a vibrant place for study, research, and discovery.