| Yad Levi Eshkol | |
| Type: | Non-governmental organization |
| Founded Date: | 1970 |
| Founder: | Government of Israel |
| Location: | Jerusalem, Israel |
| Key People: | Miriam Eshkol |
| Focus: | Education |
| Homepage: | http://www.levi-eshkol.org.il |
Yad Levi Eshkol is the official non-governmental organization commemorating Israeli prime minister Levi Eshkol. The organization was founded in accordance with a government resolution made in 1970. Yad Levi Eshkol is carrying public activities in the fields of education, research and documentation. Its founding chairwoman was Mrs. Miriam Eshkol who headed the organization until 2008.
The initial resolution to establish an institution in memory of prime minister Levi Eshkol was made shortly after his passing in 1969. A committee headed by Yigal Alon and made up of government ministers and members of the Jewish Agency directorate recommended that Yad Levi Eshkol be formed to organize Eshkol's archive. Yad Levi Eshkol was registered in 1970 and operates as a non-governmental organization.
Yad Levi Eshkol was headed by Mrs. Miriam Eshkol from 1970 to 2008, when she was named Honorary President. Founding members of Yad Levi Eshkol include: Assaf Agin, Avraham Agmon, Ephraim Ben-Artzi, David Kalderon, Ami Kamir, Moshe Sanbar, Shmuel Shilo, Simcha Soroker, Aharon Uzan, Aviad Yafeh and Gershon Zak. Past members of the executive board included Michael Arnon, Shraga Biran and Arie Eliav.
In its initial goals set by the government in 1970, Yad Levi Eshkol was tasked with organization of Levi Eshkol's archive. His personal archive, containing documents dating from World War I era and until the Prime Minister's passing, is held at Yad Levi Eshkol. Digitization of the archives commenced in 2014, alongside attempts to expand its findings by launching an oral history project for gathering testimonials of Levi Eshkol's acquaintances. Later additions, in 2017, included a photo and film archive and an artifacts collection.
Yad Levi Eshkol sponsors grants to promote academic research and publications.
In 1977, Yad Levi Eshkol was named custodian of the former residence of Israel's prime ministers and tasked with the establishment of an institute commemorating Levi Eshkol. Eshkol lived in the residence on two occasions, as Minister of Finance (1954–1955) and as Prime Minister (1963–1969). It wasn't until two decades later that Yad Levi Eshkol was able to raise funds and make restoration work on the building, which eventually stopped in 2003 due to insufficient funding. Restoration recommenced in 2014 and the building was opened to the public in 2016, dedicated in remembrance of Levi Eshkol.[1]
Since 2014, Yad Levi Eshkol promotes educational initiatives, performed on an ongoing basis across Israel and concerning up-to-date views on Levi Eshkol's actions and their relevant outcomes—surrounding the Six-Day War, the effects of his work in Mekorot water company, outcomes of the immigrant absorption policy in the Jewish Agency, and various social and economic matters shaped by Eshkol's public roles.
Other activities include the annual memorial service held at the grave plot on Mt. Herzl.