Anu – Museum of the Jewish People Facts for Kids

The outside of the Anu – Museum of the Jewish People building.

Inside the Foundations Wing at Anu – Museum of the Jewish People.

The Synagogue Wing at Anu – Museum of the Jewish People.

The logo for Anu – Museum of the Jewish People.

Anu – Museum of the Jewish People is a special museum in Tel Aviv, Israel. It's located right on the Tel Aviv University campus. The name "Anu" comes from the Hebrew word אנו, which means 'we' or 'us'.

This museum tells the amazing, ongoing story of the Jewish people. It reopened on March 10, 2021, after a big update. The museum celebrates and explores the experiences, achievements, and spirit of Jewish communities from ancient times until today.

Anu helps Jewish people connect with their history and strengthen their identity. It shares many different parts of Jewish culture, faith, and life. The museum shows how Jewish history and current experiences are all connected.

This expanded museum is much bigger and better than the old one, which was called Beit Hatfutsot. It took over 10 years to design and build. The project was supported by the State of Israel, the Nadav Foundation, and other generous people. In 2016, a new part of the museum opened. It included changing exhibitions, a hall with cool models of synagogues, and a fun, interactive exhibit for kids called Heroes – Trailblazers of the Jewish People.

The museum's new name, "Anu," shows that it wants to include everyone. It reflects the many different kinds of Jewish people around the world. The museum's chair, Irina Nevzlin, said it's now the largest and most complete Jewish museum in the world. It aims to be a guiding light for Jewish identity and culture, celebrating both the past and the future.

History of the Museum
What You Can See and Do
- Exhibitions and Programs
- Research and Learning
Special Collections
Museum Leadership
Models in the Synagogue Hall
See also

History of the Museum

How the Museum Started

In 1959, a group called the World Jewish Congress decided to create a museum. They wanted it to be a place for education and culture for Jewish people everywhere. The museum in Israel was named after Nahum Goldmann, who helped start the World Jewish Congress.

Abba Kovner, another founder, came up with the main idea for the museum's exhibits. He wanted to show Jewish history and how it continued over time. He suggested six main themes, or "gates," to explain Jewish life. These themes were family, community, faith, culture, existence, and returning home. Jeshajahu Weinberg was the museum's first director from 1978 to 1984.

Opening and New Ideas

Anu – Museum of the Jewish People first opened its doors on May 15, 1978. Even back then, it was known for using advanced technology. Its exhibits used reconstructions, sets, and modern audio-visual tools. They also used early computer technology to explore different topics. This new way of showing history helped the museum tell stories very effectively. It changed the idea that museums only had to collect and display old objects.

Saving the Museum

Over time, the museum faced money problems because of government budget cuts and fewer tourists. Many public figures worked hard to save it. These included Shlomo Lahat, a former mayor of Tel Aviv, and Ariel Sharon, a former prime minister. In 2005, the Israeli Knesset (Israel's parliament) passed a law. This law made Beit Hatfutsot "the National Center for Jewish Communities in Israel and around the world." A plan was put in place to help the museum recover. The Israeli Government and a donor named Leonid Nevzlin (from the NADAV Foundation) helped fund this plan.

What You Can See and Do

Exhibitions and Programs

Anu – Museum of the Jewish People offers many ways to learn about Jewish life. Inside the museum, there are four main areas of exhibits. Three floors have brand new galleries that opened in 2021. There's also a special gallery just for kids. The museum often has new temporary exhibitions and related events. They also hold conferences and workshops.

Research and Learning

The museum has huge digital archives. You can search through photos, films, music, family trees (genealogy), and family names. All of these are connected to Jewish people and their history. These collections have been put together for almost 40 years. Now, they are all digital and you can access them at the museum or online. The museum also offers educational activities for teachers and students. These can be done at the museum or in classrooms around the world.

Special Collections

In May 2023, a very old and important book called the Codex Sassoon 1053 was bought for a lot of money. It was purchased by former U.S. Ambassador to Romania Alfred H. Moses for the museum's friends. This book is now one of the most expensive books and manuscripts ever sold at auction. The codex was shown at Anu in March 2023 as part of a world tour before it was sold.

Museum Leadership

Irina Nevzlin is currently the main leader of the museum's board of directors. She is also the President of the NADAV Foundation. Other important leaders on the Board of Governors include Senator Joseph I. Lieberman and Ambassador Alfred H. Moses.

Models in the Synagogue Hall

A model of the Eliyahu Hanavi Synagogue.
A model of The Great Synagogue of Florence in Italy.
A model of Beth Shalom Synagogue in Pennsylvania, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.
A model of the Portuguese Synagogue in Amsterdam, Holland.
A model of the Central Synagogue of Aleppo in Syria.
A model of the Paradesi Synagogue in India.