The Diaspora Museum

September 13th 2010

Beit Hatfutsot: The Museum of the Jewish People’s mission is to tell the 4,000 year-old, worldwide story of the Jewish people. In 2005, the Israeli government passed a law defining Beit Hatfutsot as The National Center for Jewish Communities in Israel and Around the World.

Every visit to Israel is, by definition, an encounter with the Jewish people. As a tourist, just by walking the streets of Israel, you’ll meet the present-day Jewish people. And as you explore Israel’s museums, you’ll learn more about the history of the Jewish people, both in and outside of the Land of Israel – some museums more than others.

The main exhibit of The Museum of the Jewish People (formerly known as “The Diaspora Museum”) is undergoing major renovation and will reopen in 2015. When opened, the new core exhibit will review the sweep of Jewish history from biblical times to the present day and will employ today’s most sophisticated museum technology. The exhibit is being designed to help visitors understand the unique dilemmas the Jewish people faced in each particular era and location and how the decisions that were made then helped to shape Jewish history.

If you’re planning your next trip to Israel before 2015, there are still plenty of intriguing temporary exhibits to explore here, such as:

Volunteers from Abroad, which tells the story of 4,500 volunteers from overseas who came to help the Jewish people fight the War of Independence in 1948.

Adventures in Hebrewland, which is a hands-on multi-sensory experiential exhibit designed for children aged 3-10, along with their adult companions. Adventures in Hebrewland emphasizes the renewal of spoken Hebrew in modern times and on the uniqueness of the language.

The History of the Jewish People, which is illustrated in four contemporary, epic paintings by Moshe Rosenthalis (1922-2008).

The Story of Bukharan Jewry, which tells the story of Bukharan communities of Central Asia from the time of its establishment during the exile of the Ten Tribes of Israel to the present, when few Jews remain in this region.

Beit Hatfutsot: The Museum of the Jewish People is located on the Tel Aviv University campus in the northern Tel Aviv neighborhood of Ramat Aviv.