Jewish Children's Museum
B17 to Eastern Parkway (stops two blocks east) B43 to Union Street | |
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The Jewish Children's Museum is the largest
] It aims for children of all faiths and backgrounds to gain a positive perspective and awareness of the Jewish heritage, fostering tolerance and understanding. The permanent collection features exhibits designed to be both educational and entertaining to children, often employing interactive multimedia. At the miniature golf course on the roof, for example, each hole represents a stage in Jewish life.The museum is located in the
Carnegie Corporation, which was made possible through a donation by New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg.[1][2]
History
In response to the infamous
Ari Halberstam on the Brooklyn Bridge
in 1994, the museum was built to create a teaching tool for local children to better understand their neighbors.
Planning for the exhibit content was done with the input of various religious and secular educators, with the final word being made by the museum's Orthodox Jewish directorate.
Community activist Devorah Halberstam, mother of Ari, played a major role in the museum's creation. The museum is officially dedicated to Ari's memory.[4]
The front of the museum displays a giant collage of pictures of children. When viewed from a distance they form one giant picture of a child.
Details
- The Jewish Children's Museum was designed by Gwathmey, Siegel and Associates Architects.
- The cost of construction has been $35 million thus far, with an additional $5 million projected after the completion of the fourth floor exhibits (expected summer of 2011).
- The museum won the Building Brooklyn Award in 2006 for its design and social impact on the greater Brooklyn community.
- More than 250,000 visitors came to the JCM in its first year of operation
- In addition to its computerized and interactive exhibits, the JCM building includes a Kosher restaurant, Kosher cafe, gift shop, social hall, 100-seat theater, gameshow studio, arts and crafts center and computer rooms.
References
- ^ Roberts, Sam (July 6, 2005). "City Groups Get Bloomberg Gift of $20 Million". The New York Times.
- ^ "Carnegie Corporation of New York Announces Twenty Million Dollars in New York City Grants" (Press release). Carnegie Corporation of New York. July 5, 2005. Archived from the original on March 10, 2008.
- ^ Dewan, Shaila K. (December 6, 2000). "U.S. Decides '94 Attack On Hasidim Was Lone Act". The New York Times. The Justice Department formally classified the incident as an act of terrorism.[1]
- ^ "Devorah Halberstam Honored at Director's Community Leadership Award Ceremony at FBI New York". FBI. December 10, 2009.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Jewish Children's Museum.
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