JUDAIC STUDIES

"I would like to suggest that.....the study of art might have serious redeeming features that make it worthy of consideration for the standard curriculum. In fact, the study of art may be valuable in developing the religious personality and enabling the student to enter into a dialogue with Heaven. In this regard it is important to note that I do not refer to the exceptional or gifted student who might be drawn to art for a variety of personal reasons. Rather, I am referring to the average student looking for ways to develop his or her own position regarding Torah, spirituality, and a personal involvement in that enterprise." - Towards Ahavat Hashem, Rabbi Chaim Brovender, President of ATID and Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivat HaMivtar in Efrat

*  Nazi Germany’s Death Squads (Einsatzgruppen) beginning the systematic killing of Jews, initially in the Soviet Union, and later throughout Occupied Europe (June 22, 1941)  *  Nazi Germany's decree ordering all Jews in Germany and occupied territories to wear a yellow Star of David badge (September 1, 1941)  *  The Babi Yar Massacre, near Kiev, Ukraine. The Nazis killed over 33,000 Jews, machine-gunning them into a ravine (September 29-30, 1941)

 In order to commemorate these events through our Holocaust Art programs, please scroll down.      

* The 100th anniversary of the birth of Teddy Kolleck (May 27, 1911), Mayor of Jerusalem from 1965-1993

In order to celebrate Teddy Kolleck's birthday with your students, please scroll down or click here for our programs on Israeli History through Art or Contemporary Israeli Artists.

PROGRAMS FOR JUDAIC STUDIES CLASSES

All programs are taught at the appropriate developmental level for all grades and are available year-round.  Classroom programs include a slide discussion and a hands-on art workshop.  Museum tours include gallery discussions and sketching activities  for all abilities.  This is about the process and not the product.  Mummies and Masterpieces educators do not lecture to students.  Instead, we explore, discuss, wonder, and create TOGETHER. 

 Yeladim V'Yeladot B'Omanut

Through this theme, children will learn about children depicted in art. Oil pastel workshop.

VaYehi Or

In conjunction with Rosh Chodesh, Rosh HaShanah , and the reading of Breishit, this study of sun, stars and moon masterpieces will surely “enlighten” your students.  Special focus on Surrealist art.  Collage/drawing workshop. 

Sukkot and Other Homes from around the World

We will compare and contrast the functional characteristics of period rooms from around the world with those of a sukkah.  A beautiful way to understand the importance of this special holiday.  Decorative Arts/Furniture workshop.

Creation Creatures!

For our younger students. Participate in an archaeological dig in your classroom, learn about an archaeologist’s tools, find your own “creatures”. Discover the characteristics of various dinosaurs,  how fossils are made, and the “Jewish view” of when dinosaurs were created. A perfect tie-in to a study of the world’s birthday, Parshat Breishit and/or creation.  Fossil workshop. 

The Jewish View of Sue

For our older students.  The recent discovery and installation of Sue, the most complete and intact Tyrannosaurus Rex ever found, has sparked much discussion among scientists worldwide.  How does Sue, and other dinosaurs, fit into the Creationists’ view of the age of the universe?  Along with classroom archaeological digs, fossil-making, and fun museum tours and activities, the Breishit text, and opinions of Rashi, Aryeh Kaplan and Dr. Gerald Schroeder are studied.  Appropriate for grades five and up.  Early childhood option focuses on archaeology, characteristics of Sue and other dinosaurs, and fossils.

Brachot in Art

What a perfect way to practice our brachot!!  Which blessings might we make on the foods depicted in worldwide masterpieces?  Printing workshop.

NEW!  Art of the Ancient Near East

How exciting it is to learn about our ancestors in the early chapters of the book of  Breisheet.  Images of ancient near eastern art, architecture and decorative arts provide a perfect backdrop for a better understanding of life during this time period and area of the world.  Clay workshop.

Tayvat Noach

A favorite of all ages!!!  We will view and discuss the characterisitcs of animals from around the world, with a special focus on Biblical animals. Clay or collage workshop.

K’ilo Yatzanu MiMitzrayim/The Art of Ancient Egypt

We will take our own trip down the Nile River through the study of ancient Egyptian art, architecture, and decorative arts.  This is a perfect enhancement of the parshiot in Breisheet and Shemot as well as the themes in the Passover Hagaddah.  Egyptian painting workshop.

L’hadlik ner shel Chanukkah

An introduction to and understanding of the use of light in art.  Marc Chagall, John LaFarge, Frank Lloyd Wright, and Louis Comfort Tiffany will guide us through this study of light in architecture and decorative arts.  Stained glass window workshop.

NEW!!!  The Art of Greece and Rome

Learn about what life was like during the time of the miracle of Chanukkah. Architecture workshop.

Boreh P’ri HaEtz: Trees and Fruit in Art

In honor of Tu B’Shevat we will taste the sweet theme of trees and their fruit in museum masterpieces.  Painting workshop.

Masks and Costumes

In the spirit of Purim, we will unveil the ideas and images of masks and costumes from around the world.  Works include English armor, Chinese and Japanese robes, and African headresses.  Maskmaking workshop.

Exploring The Holocaust

Discussions on art created ABOUT and DURING the Holocaust, including art by children in Jewish ghettos.  We will then have an opportunity to express our own feelings about the Holocaust through a hands-on art experience.

Contemporary Israeli Artists

A celebration of artists in Israel today.  Choose one or all of the following artists: Shneur Herman (Microcalligraphy, Tzefat), Kamy Raviv (Tapestry Design, Ramat Gan), Marci Weisel (Papercuts and Watercolors, Alon Shvut), Sharon Levy (Jewelry Design, Netanya), Yoram Gal (Watercolors, Old Yaffo).  A portion of the fee for this program will be given back to the artists.  Workshop choices: Microcalligraphy, tapestry design, papercut/ watercolor collage, jewelry design, watercolor painting.  Perfect for Yom HaAtzmaut or Yom Yerushalayim. READ MORE

History of Israel through Art

How do we characterize "Israeli Art"?  Join us as we delve into a discussion about the works of Israeli artists Anna Ticho, Leopold Krakauer, Jakob Steinhardt, Yitzhak Danziger, Marcel Janco, Josef Zaritsky, and Yoram Gal. What influences did they bring with them from their own places of origin, and how did they reflect the last 63 years of Israeli landscape, people, emotions and politics?

 After our discussion, we will participate in a hands-on art workshop.  The project will depend on the interest of the students, but could include Biblical woodblock prints, Israeli watercolor landscape paintings, and more! READ MORE

This program is appropriate for children and adult groups.