What Gefen Publishing House does

Gefen Publishing House is a privately held Jerusalem-based book publisher founded in 1986, operating as Israel's leading English-language publisher of Jewish and Hebrew books. The company's catalog spans Sifrei Kodesh (Jewish holy texts), Talmudic studies, Haggadot, Hebrew-language learning materials, cookbooks, children's books, Holocaust and Israeli history, travel guides, and Zionism-related titles, with offerings ranging from individual titles priced roughly $8-$360 to premium multi-volume sets such as the Mishneh Torah (18 volumes, $760) and Onkelos On the Torah Boxed Set ($160). Distribution is entirely direct-to-consumer via two e-commerce storefronts (gefenpublishing.com in USD, israelbooks.com in ILS), supported by a dual-warehouse fulfillment network in Jerusalem and Ashland, Ohio, plus a US administrative office in Lawrence, New York. Shipping is handled in-house via USPS, UPS, and international postal services (Air Mail, EMS, surface mail).

The business model is straightforward unit sales of physical paperback and hardcover books to individual consumers and small institutional buyers (yeshivas, synagogues, libraries), with no subscription, licensing, or enterprise contracting layer. Pricing is tiered across standard editions, premium boxed sets, and curated bundles (e.g., HINENU: Israel at Ten Million, Israel's 75th Bundle), augmented by frequent clearance promotions, bundle discounts, and free shipping on select US bulk orders. The company markets primarily through its own website, an email newsletter, and a Facebook page (learningaboutisrael), with no third-party retail, distribution, or wholesale channels disclosed. Headcount is reported at 1-10 employees, no funding rounds or institutional investment are present, and ownership is independent and undisclosed.

Name

Gefen Publishing House

Legal name

Gefen Publishing House

Website

https://gefenpublishing.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1986

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Gefen Publishing House is a privately held Jerusalem-based book publisher founded in 1986, serving English-speaking Jewish communities worldwide with religious texts, Hebrew learning materials, Haggadot, cookbooks, and Israeli history titles via direct-to-consumer e-commerce and dual Israel-US warehouse fulfillment.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Jewish Book Publishing

NAICS

Book Publishers (51313), Book Publishers (513130)

SIC

Books: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2731)

akta.pro primary industry

General Trade Publishing (Adult Fiction & Nonfiction) (MPAJAAAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Scholarly Societies & Conference Proceedings Publishing (MPAJABAK), Religious & Spiritual Books Retail (CRALAAAE)

Keywords

• Jewish book publishing
• Hebrew language books
• Religious text publishing
• Israeli history books
• Jewish educational catalogs

Headquarters

HQ city

Jerusalem

HQ country

Israel

HQ region

Middle East

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Book Sales: One-time sales of physical books (paperback and hardcover) covering Jewish studies, Hebrew learning, history, cookbooks, children's books, and more. Products sold at various price points from budget to premium multi-volume sets.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Gefen Publishing House is a traditional book publisher that produces and sells Jewish and Hebrew books in English (and select Hebrew editions) across religious texts, Haggadot, Talmudic studies, cookbooks, children's books, Holocaust and Israeli history, travel guides, and Zionism subjects. The company operates a direct-to-consumer e-commerce model through its own website, serving individual readers, Hebrew learners, and academic institutions worldwide, with warehouses in Jerusalem and Ashland, Ohio.

Product overview

Gefen Publishing House is a traditional book publishing company operating as a single unified catalog/platform for Jewish books in English and Hebrew. The company publishes across multiple categories including religious texts (Sifrei Kodesh, Talmudic studies, Haggadot), educational materials (Hebrew learning, cookbooks), fiction and non-fiction, history and Holocaust studies, travel guides for Israel, and children's books. The core product is their book catalog available through their e-commerce website, with offerings ranging from individual book purchases to curated bundle collections. The company distinguishes itself as Israel's leading publisher of Jewish books in English, with titles spanning from 2005 backlist to recent 2025-2026 releases.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Gefen Publishing House Book Catalog Israel's leading publisher of Jewish books in English, offering an extensive catalog of religious texts, educational materials, fiction, cookbooks, children's books, and Hebrew language learning resources across multiple categories including Judaism, Sifrei Kodesh, Holocaust studies, history, and travel. Available through gefenpublishing.com.
• Jewish Holy Books (Sifrei Kodesh) Sacred Jewish texts including Onkelos On the Torah Boxed Set, Unlocking the Torah Text Five Volume Boxed Set, Mishneh Torah by Rambam in Hebrew and English (18 volumes), and major works of Biblical commentary. Targeted at scholars, students, and religious readers of Jewish holy texts.
• Talmudic Studies Collection Comprehensive Talmudic study materials including Talmud and Mishna volumes, Talmudic commentary, dictionaries, and reference books in Hebrew and English. Targeted at Talmudic scholars, yeshiva students, and Jewish studies programs.
• Cookbooks and Food Israeli and Jewish cookbooks featuring The Eucalyptus Cookbook, Five Seasons in the Kitchen, Le Marais Cookbook, Cooking Together – The Israeli Pantry, and wine-related culinary guides. Targeted at home cooks and readers interested in Israeli and Jewish cuisine.
• Passover Haggadot Passover Haggadah books including Pictures Tell: A Passover Haggadah, The Chinitz Zion Haggadah, The Jewish Journey Haggadah, The Lovell Haggadah, and The Open Orthodox Haggadah. Targeted at Jewish families and congregations observing Passover seders.
• Children's Books in Hebrew Hebrew language children's books including A Tale of Five Balloons, The Giving Tree, Room For Rent, The Little Prince in Hebrew, and Tintin Comics in Hebrew. Targeted at Hebrew-speaking families and children learning Hebrew.
• History and Holocaust Studies Historical books covering Holocaust studies, Israeli history, and Jewish history including And Every Single One Was Someone, Victor Kugler, Mielec Poland, and Israel's Wars publications. Targeted at students, educators, historians, and general readers of Jewish and Israeli history.
• Travel and Touring Books Travel guides for Israel including The Holy Land Then and Now, 50 of Tel Aviv's Most Intriguing Streets, Jerusalem City Stories, Tel Aviv City Stories, Israel National Trail guide, and The Beating Heart exploring Jewish communities worldwide. Targeted at tourists and travelers to Israel and those interested in Jewish heritage sites.
• Israel and Zionism Books Books about Israel, Zionism, and Israeli society including Israel 60, Israel 2000 Years, Israel for Beginners, Snapshot on the IDF, and ISResilience. Targeted at readers interested in Israeli politics, history, society, and the Zionist movement.
• Book Bundles Curated book bundle collections including Israel's 75th Bundle, Chana Levitan Bundle Deal, Unlock Happier Marriages bundle, Five Tuvia Tenenbom Books bundle, and Hinenu Israel at Ten Million bundle. Targeted at gift buyers and readers seeking themed multi-book collections at a discount.
• Clearance Sale Books Discounted books and clearance items including Titus Trump and the Triumph of Israel, Angels and Demons in Hebrew, and various Hebrew translations at reduced prices. Targeted at price-sensitive consumers seeking bargain Jewish and Hebrew titles.

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Yale University Press: Major academic publisher with significant Jewish studies, Holocaust studies, and Israel/Middle East history lists. Competes in the scholarly and history categories where Gefen publishes.
• Schocken Books: Long-running imprint under Penguin Random House publishing Jewish literature, religious thought, and Hebrew works in English translation. A broader incumbent with overlapping Jewish-content catalog.

Direct peers

• ArtScroll / Mesorah Publications: Largest US-based Orthodox Jewish publisher of English-language sefarim, including Schottenstein Talmud, siddurim, and Haggadot. Closest direct competitor in English-language Jewish religious publishing.
• Jewish Publication Society: Non-profit publisher of Jewish literary, scholarly, and educational books including the JPS Tanakh. Comparable as a longstanding publisher serving the English-speaking Jewish reading audience with religious and scholarly content.
• Behrman House: US Jewish educational publisher focused on Hebrew language learning, Bible, and Jewish studies textbooks for schools and synagogues. Overlaps with Gefen's Hebrew learning and educational segments.
• Koren Publishers Jerusalem: Israeli publisher producing Jewish texts, prayer books, and educational materials including the Koren Talmud and siddur. Directly comparable as a Jerusalem-based publisher of English-language Jewish religious and scholarly content.
• Urim Publications: Jerusalem-based publisher of Jewish literary fiction, memoirs, and non-fiction in English. Directly comparable as an Israeli publisher serving the English-language Jewish reading market.
• Feldheim Publishers: Long-established Jewish publisher offering English sefarim, children's books, cookbooks, and educational titles. Directly comparable catalog overlap and customer base.
• Toby Press: Independent publisher of Jewish literary fiction and nonfiction, including works by Israeli authors in English translation. Overlaps with Gefen's Israel-focused and Jewish fiction categories.

Emerging players

• Gefilte Press / Other small Israeli niche publishers: Smaller Israeli and US-based publishers producing niche English-language Jewish cookbooks, children's books, and lifestyle titles — competing for the same casual Jewish reader segment with curated lifestyle-oriented content.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/learningaboutisrael
• Xx.com/GefenPublishing
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/gefen-publishing-house

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Gefen Publishing House