Posted on 12/06/2004 10:17:19 PM PST by alogonquin
The joy of Jewishness
New kids museum stresses laughing, learning
The matzoh balls print recipes. A giant tree talks about good deeds. A kosher refrigerator tells jokes and shofars don't just blow, they explain about Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. Welcome to the $30 million Jewish Children's Museum in Crown Heights, which opens to the public Dec. 23.
The museum is a seven-story, high-tech, interactive playland designed to teach elementary school kids of all backgrounds about Jewish holidays, history and family life.
"We want all children to feel totally free here," said Devorah Halberstam, who helped raise funds for the facility.
The museum is dedicated to the memory of Halberstam's son Ari, who was slain in 1994 at the age of 16 while he was riding in a van on the Brooklyn Bridge. The Justice Department ruled the killing "the crime of a terrorist."
"Ari died at such a young age, before he really had a chance to live," Halberstam said. "But really, his life was about what you find here - innocence, enjoying life, living day-to-day and enjoying your traditions.
"There are so many messages here at this museum," Halberstam continued, "but above all, it is about joy."
The fun and learning begin with an interactive biblical account of the creation. Detailed etchings overhead tell the tale. On the appropriate days, real fish swim, animated birds fly and an elephant grunts "hello."
After the creation of Adam and Eve comes the day of rest. To prepare for it, kids shop in a kosher supermarket with working checkout scanners, and cook in a model kitchen where a refrigerator offers one-liners.
There's a room-sized, interactive Sabbath dinner table that has computers inside giant matzoh balls. The computers display what Jewish families around the world eat on the Sabbath and print out recipes for the dishes.
Next come the holidays, starting with talking shofars to herald Rosh Hashanah, and ending with Shavuot, the giving of the law, which includes the Ten Commandments.
To help visualize that day, kids enter a room where clouds part above Mt. Sinai, tablets with the commandments come down and flowers bloom.
For Chanukah, there's a newsstand spreading the word about the Miracle of the Lights, along with a modern-day television studio where kids can be reporters and get a CD of their on-camera work.
Since families remove all yeast products from their homes in preparation for Passover, there's an electronic game where children must find bread hidden in a cupboard.
In the World of Good, children learn about universal, ethical principles shared by people of all faiths, said Rabbi Nissen Brenenson, director of education at the museum.
Youngsters are encouraged to visit the sick, honor their parents and teachers, take care of pets and give to charity.
Finally, to show off how much they've learned during their visit, kids can play the museum's versions of Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy. Brenenson said each child will also participate in a crafts project to take home.
To celebrate the start of Chanukah Tuesday night, elected officials and community leaders will gather in front of the museum on Eastern Parkway at Kingston Ave. to light a giant menorah.
[Museum admission is $10, starting Dec. 23. Tickets must be purchased in advance, online at www.jcm.museum/tickets, beginning Dec. 7.]
At least for the sake of earthly benefit, would that it were so... but I get a hunch that Mohammed, Anton LeVey, and several others haven't been tuning in to quite the same "ethical principles"
Yeah, they have to make it sound as "inclusive" as possible.
A Lubie project?
Who's taking odds on the first group to protest them?
Jiffy Lube?
I don't think PETA will be there. They're not planning any ritual slaughter demos that I'm aware of. ;-) Although there is a model kosher kitchen. Think PETA will go after it?
I understand there is a traditional Jewish belief that if a charity project is done visibly in someone's name, that the someone will be specially blessed by God for it.
"Mitzva l'farsem osei mitzvah" - there is a mitzvah to publicize the names of those who do mitzvot. Is that what you're referring to?
Ha, ha, ha!...
There is a sect of highly Orthodox Jews, known as the Lubavitchers. Sometimes called Lubies by nickname (it's not derogatory, other Orthodox Jews use the name). Crown Heights is one of their centers. That they wear their faith on their sleeve would be an understatement. The folks that ask to put huge menorahs up in towns that have Christmas trees (and I say more power to them, and spit in the ACLU's eye for their relentless pursuit of the naked public square).
I am quite impressed by this, if the museum lives up to its description. The Christian evangelistic theme parks should do as well.
Not sure, I am a fundamentalist Christian goy-boy and don't have that much of a background in the Jewish world. I do remember that when I paid a visit to an Orthodox cloister in the Chicago area (? there probably is a better word, ghetto is too demeaning) I visited a religious service held in a room that had a portable Torah-ark. That thing had a humongous sign on it (in English!) stating that it had been donated by a Mr. and Mrs. Jewishname (don't remember actual name). Struck me as a BIT unsubtle....
No, it does seem that the world's great religions do share similar moral principles -- it's a question of who the moral principles apply to, though. Islam makes a clear distinction between believers and unbelievers, between "us" and "them." Christianity, at least on paper, doesn't.
I've heard about a certain Jewish carpenter fellow who warned against that sort of mentality and behavior a couple of thousand years ago.
If Mohammed would just quit foaming at the mouth long enough to articulate any of them.
The Nazarene carpenter did say that his disciples would be known by their love for one another. This doesn't mean that the rest of the world is to be execrated (that's contrary to the spirit of evangelism). But there's something special that goes on between believers, or at least is supposed to. This is what (yes I know I will get flamed for this :-) the souls of the Jews are looking for. A charismatic rabbi, is not ultimate fulfillment (any more than would be Jim Bakker, or Billy Graham, or the Pope, or...). The Son of God, is.
Only Snags call us Lubies.
WARNING: This is a high volume ping list
I understand there is a traditional Jewish belief that if a charity project is done visibly in someone's name, that the someone will be specially blessed by God for it."
More of this the concept of Jewish charity. According to Jewish law and tradition, the highest form of charity is charity done anonymously, with neither the recipient knowing who the donor is or the donor knowing who the recipient is.
I toured this museum while it was under construction. It was clear it would be terrific.
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