Dr. Haim Gitler
Bridging Collections and Scholarship
Dr. Haim Gitler is one of the world's leading experts in ancient numismatics and the monetary history of the southern Levant. He has worked at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem, one of Israel's foremost cultural institutions, for four decades. As Tamar and Teddy Kollek Chief Curator of Archaeology, he is responsible for the museum's archaeological collections, including the Shrine of the Book with the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Rockefeller Archaeological Museum. At the same time, as Curator of Numismatics, he oversees one of the world's most renowned coin collections.
His research focuses on coinage of the Persian and Hellenistic periods and on the history and archaeology of ancient Judaea. With more than 110 scholarly publications, foundational reference works, and international research projects, Dr. Gitler has had a lasting impact on numismatic scholarship. His work combines archaeological, historical, and scientific methods and makes a major contribution to our understanding of the political, economic, and cultural development of the ancient southern Levant.
What particularly distinguishes Dr. Gitler is his ability to understand collections beyond their material value. Through research, publication, and international collaboration, he reveals their historical significance and establishes them as lasting contributions to scholarly discourse. His work demonstrates that important collections realize their greatest value when they generate insight and new knowledge.
‘Scholarship Gives a Collection Its Depth.’
As President of the Israel Numismatic Society (INS) and Secretary of the International Numismatic Council (INC), Dr. Gitler maintains close ties with leading museums, universities, and research institutions around the world. This international network creates ideal conditions for scholarly exchange and connects collections with a global academic community.
As a scholarly advisor to the Leu Judaica Department, Dr. Gitler brings his exceptional expertise, museum experience, and international network to selected projects and research questions. In doing so, he makes an important contribution to the Department's development as a center of expertise for the study and interpretation of Jewish cultural heritage. He also strengthens exchange among collectors, museums, and scholars, supporting the historical interpretation, scholarly documentation, and long-term preservation of important numismatic material.
