[IL] BLM – Bible Lands Museum Jerusalem – July 2015 [PRESS]

Bible Lands Museum Jerusalem – July 2015

Delve deeper into the Bible by learning about the lives of the people who populated the Ancient Near East at the award-winning Bible Lands Museum Jerusalem. Founded in 1992 by the late Dr. Elie Borowski and his wife Batya, the Bible Lands Museum’s extensive collection of ancient art and archaeology helps visitors gain a more intimate understanding of the Bible through discovering the daily practices of the people who lived during that period.

The Bible Lands Museum Jerusalem (BLMJ), located on Museum Row, is in the heart of the modern cultural center of Jerusalem.  The collection draws from the vast geographic area reaching from Afghanistan in the east to the Mediterranean Sea in the west, from the Caucasian mountains in the north to Nubia (Sudan) in the south.

The collection dates from the dawn of civilization, focusing on the pre-historic era 6,000 years ago to the Early Christian Era, approximately 1000 CE. Displayed chronologically, the Main Exhibition sheds light on the daily lives and beliefs of the rich civilizations that have since vanished, including how they cooked, worshiped, buried their dead, fought their battles, adorned themselves with jewelry, among many other aspects.

BLMJ has earned international acclaim as a universal center for cultural and educational programming. It leads innovative tours for school children, presents weekly lectures, and offers a variety of courses for adults. The Museum is a vibrant cultural institution offering creative programs for families and a rich array of activities throughout the year.

*All programs subject to change.

 

Exhibitions:

New Exhibition – By the Rivers of Babylon

The Bible Lands Museum Jerusalem is proud to present By the Rivers of Babylon, the world premier exhibition of the earliest documents that illustrate the lives of the first exiles of from the pivotal chapter in Jewish history, the Babylonian Exile.
Experience the destruction of Jerusalem, the grueling journey to Babylonia, the daily lives of the Judean exiles in captivity and finally the return to Zion.
On display for the first time are original artifacts dating to the destruction of Jerusalem and the Babylonian Exile, including clay tablets from the Al-Yahudu archive (named after the city that the Judean exiles settled, in southern Iraq) which display fascinating evidence of the lives of the exiles. This archive is considered one of the most important archaeological finds relating to the history of the Jewish people. Complementing these artifacts are illustrations from the Medieval and Modern eras of the dramatic events which have become a symbol of the resilience of the Jewish people. Advanced multi-media enhance this exhibition which focuses on one of the most important milestones in the history of the Jewish people.

Permanent Exhibition

The Bible Lands Museum Jerusalem houses one of the world’s most important collections of ancient Near Eastern artifacts, illustrating the world of the Hittites, the Phoenicians, the civilizations of Greece and Rome and the importance of Canaan, Judea and Israel at the cross-roads of the ancient world.

 

DIONYSUS:  Wine & Divine

A brief encounter with the god of wine, intoxication and ecstasy, and his frenzied entourage in this display of enchanting artifacts, many of which are being exhibited for the first time.

Glories of Ancient Greece – Closed
Coming soon – Moshe Zabari Retrospective exhibition.
World renowned contemporary Judaica artist, Moshe Zabari, a master craftsman for more than 60 years.
The exhibition will feature selected works from his extensive range of sculptures and ceremonial objects, emphasizing the influence of ancient sourced on Zabari’s designs.

 

Roman Fresco Room

From Pompeii to Jerusalem: The frescoes in this collection are believed to be from the villas of Boscotrecase, a suburb of Pompeii that was frozen in time with the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 CE. Sealed beneath the lava, they were preserved for centuries and still retain their vibrant colors and fine detailed painting. The beautiful frescoes, made in the Roman technique of wet plaster painting, portray magical panoramic views of nature, mythology, erotica and more. One of the prominent pieces from the collection is the “Erotic Scene of a Nude Nymph.” *On view by request only.

Daily Guided Tours: Free with Museum admission

Sunday – Friday                                        English 10:30, Hebrew 11:00

Additional tour on Wednesdays           English 17:30, Hebrew 18:00

Saturday                                                    Hebrew 11:30

Reserve tours in additional languages and groups in advance: contact@blmj.org

Lectures

Wednesday at 19:30 | Free with Museum admission | Hebrew

1/7/15 – “The Many Voices of the Book of Lamentations”, Prof. Ed Greenstein, Bar Ilan Univ.

Sura and Pumbedita – Talmudic Academies

The BLMJ and Beit Midrash Elul invite you to this special series of meetings held in the spirit of the Talmudic academies of Sura and Pumbedita, the ancient “universities” of the Jewish People.

These academies, where the Babylonian Talmud was debated and edited, existed for over 800 years, from 3rd – 11th centuries CE. They served as the cultural and spiritual center of the Jewish people, nurturing the Jewish identity as we know it today. Join us as we travel back in time to the Talmudic academies of Babylon, experience their educational methodology, learning, and yearning for Zion.

8/7/15  – Session 1 – Forgetting the Teaching of Babylon – The Physical and Spiritual Journeys of Talmudic Scholars Between Eretz-Israel and Babylon.
19:00-21:00 – An evening of learning circles  and Chavrutot. led by Beit Midrash Elul moderators.

15/7/15– Session 2 – Mesivta – The Virtue of Learning
18:30– Talmudic Scholars for a Moment – Learning circles in the spirit of the ancient yeshiva, with Beit Midrash Elul moderators on: teacher-student relationships, controversy and its limits, scholars and philistines, and the power of Chavruta.
19:30 – The Ancient Universities of the People of Israel,  Lecture by Rabbi Dr. Binyamin Lau

22/7/15– Session 3 – “A decree the public cannot stand” – The Destruction of the Temple and the Shaping of Memory
19:30 – Seminar led by Shlomit Ravitzky Tur-Paz, Executive Director of  Beit Midrash Elul.

Program in Hebrew
* Please note start times for the Sura and Pumbedita series.
Free for museum members only. Non-members – Entrance ticket to the BLMJ.
Advanced reservation for lectures and learning sessions required.

Hike with the Museum to Lachish

Sunday, July 12, at 14:00

Participate in a unique tour that follows the story of Judah, from the eve of the destruction of the First Temple to the lives of its inhabitants who were exiled to Babylon.

The day begins with a tour of the exhibition By the Rivers of Babylon, and then continues with a visit to the new excavations at Tel Lachish, led by the head of the excavations, Prof. Yossi Garfinkel.
Advanced registration required, places limited.

For details and registration: 02-5611066 contact@blmj.org

 

Special Tour

Guided Tour in different Languages, inspired by the Exhibition – By the Rivers of Babylon – from Abraham to the Babylonian Exile.

Wednesday, July 15, at 12:00 – Guided tour in French.

 

Bein Hametzarim – Gallery Talk

Friday, July 17, at 11:00
Delve into the destruction of Jerusalem, exile and historical memory with Yehuda Kaplan, Director of the BLMJ’s Education Department.
Advanced registration recommended.

Klezmer Festival Performance

Wednesday, July 29, at 20:30

“How shall we sing the Lord’s song in a foreign land? ” Psalms 137

An evening of historical exploration and song bridging the hope of the Judean exiles with the spirit of Eastern European Klezmer music. The evening will open at 19:30 with a tour of the “By the Rivers of Babylon” exhibition and continue with a Klezmer concert featuring a variety of  musicians and styles from across the globe.

Featured Musicians:

Solo Pan-Flute Artist, Constatine Moscovici (Chișinău, Moldova)

International Clarinet maestro, Helmut Hazel (Frankfurt, Germany)

International Piano Accompanist, Sabastian Welch (Frankfurst, Germany)

International Bandoneon, Raoul Jaurena (New York, USA)

Accordian Virtuoso, Amil Eibinder

International Clarinetist, Chanan Bar-Sela

The Gitanes Blondes (Munich, Germany): Mario Kornic (Violin), Konstantin Ischenko (Accordion), Christoph Peters (Guitar), Giorgi Makoshvilli (Double Bass) Acclaimed Clarinet Soloist Caroline Hartig – Ohio, USA

Festival artistic director: Chanan Bar-Sela

Advance Booking 65 NIS, On the door 75 NIS, Museum Members 55 NIS.

Information and tickets: 02-5611066 (ext. 4), kupa1@blmj.org

 

Weekend Family Fun

Saturdays | 10:00 – 14:00 | Free admission for children!

Self-guided activity, Ideal for Shabbat observant families (when tickets purchased in advance).

Lost at the Museum- Join the Princess and the Wizard on their spectacular journey in search of their lost heirlooms. Look for shiny jewelry and hunting tools that have vanished in the Museum and discover ancient spells and mysterious papyrus writings. But beware of the lurking demons that are trying to throw you off the trail!

*Tour booklets for children (ages 4-6)

*Mummy Kit – Secrets of Ancient Egypt

 

Museum Shop

Unique and original gifts by leading Israeli designers

Gifts for the holidays * Jewelry * Judaica * Games * Replicas * Catalogues and books.

Contact us: shop@blmj.org | www.blmj.org/catalog/ | www.facebook.com/BLMJ.Shop

 

Celebrate your next event with us!

Weddings, Conferences, Corporate Events and Receptions

Hold your next event at the Museum and enjoy a unique atmosphere and a once in a lifetime experience including exclusive tours of the Museum and excellent catering. Exclusive use of the Museum, auditorium, reception halls and the Biblical Garden can all be made available just for you.

Special Program for Bar/Bat Mitzvahs:

King for a Day – The young Bar/Bat Mitzvah guides family and guests in a special tour. Linking the Chain of Generations – An enchanting tour of the Museum ideal for children and adults.

After the Kotel – Enjoy a series of creative activities based on Bible stories, Jewish holidays and more.

For further information and reservations: events@blmj.org

 

Please Notice:

NEW PARKING ARRANGEMENTS – parking lot between the BLMJ and the Israel Museum is free for museum visitors ONLY. Simply present your museum entrance ticket when exiting the lot to park for free. Please remember to keep your entrance ticket!

Stopping by to pick up holiday gifts in out Gift Shop? Just let us know and we will be glad to provide you with a parking pass with your purchase.

Enjoy special discounts on museum entrance fees.  Bring your paid ticket receipt from the BLMJ to the Israel Museum or the Bloomfield Science Museum, to receive discounts on entrance within the same week.

Your BLMJ membership or tickets also grant you discounted entrance at the Israel Children’s Museum in Holon.