Maltz Museum facts for kids
The Maltz Museum is a special place in Beachwood, Ohio, a suburb of Cleveland. It tells the amazing story of the Jewish community in the area and also explores the diverse experiences of people from all backgrounds. The museum opened on October 11, 2005.
Inside, you can explore history through personal stories, movies, and fun computer interactives. The museum uses special effects and displays of real artifacts, art, and documents to make the past come to life. It also hosts exciting new exhibitions that travel from other museums and creates its own unique displays.
Contents
What You Can See at the Museum
The Maltz Museum has two main exhibits that are always there for visitors to enjoy.
An American Story
This exhibit shares the stories of Jewish people who made Northeast Ohio their home. It covers everyone from the first settlers who arrived from Europe in the 1800s to the families living in the community today. You'll learn about their challenges and celebrate their successes over many generations.
The Temple – Tifereth Israel Gallery
This gallery is filled with over 175 beautiful and important objects from The Temple-Tifereth Israel, a local synagogue. These treasures are used in Jewish traditions and ceremonies. The exhibit also shows how Judaism connects with other faiths, highlighting shared values and history.
Special Exhibitions Over the Years
The museum has a large gallery for special exhibitions that change regularly. These displays have come from all over the world and have covered many interesting topics.
- The Jewish Journey: Frederic Brenner's Photographic Odyssey (2005-2006): This exhibit featured 115 photographs showing the diversity of Jewish people around the world.
- Deadly Medicine: Creating The Master Race (2007-2008): From the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, this exhibit explained the dangerous and false ideas the Nazis had about race. It used photos, films, and survivor stories to teach an important lesson about history.
- Zap! Pow! Bam! The Superhero, The Golden Age of Comics (2008-2009): This fun exhibit explored the world of superheroes. It focused on characters like Superman, who was created by two people from Cleveland. Visitors could see rare old comics, original art, and vintage toys.
- The Nazi Olympics Berlin 1936 (2010-2011): This exhibit looked at the 1936 Summer Olympics in Germany. It showed how the Nazis used the games for propaganda and told the story of athletes like Jesse Owens, who became a hero for standing up to them.
- Violins of Hope (2015-2016): This powerful exhibit featured violins that were played by Jewish musicians during the Holocaust and survived. The violins were restored and sometimes even played during the exhibition, showing how music and hope can live on even in the darkest times.
- Operation Finale: The Capture & Trial of Adolf Eichmann (2016): This exhibit told the true story of how Israeli secret agents captured Adolf Eichmann, one of the main organizers of the Final Solution. It used recently declassified spy gear, photos, and films to tell this incredible story.
Learning from Survivors
The museum is dedicated to remembering the Holocaust, a terrible time in history when millions of Jewish people and others were targeted by the Nazis in Europe. To make sure this history is never forgotten, the museum shares artifacts and stories from that time. It also invites survivors to speak with students, sharing their personal stories of courage and survival.
School and Community Programs
The Maltz Museum is a popular place for school field trips. Each year, thousands of students visit to learn about history and culture. The museum also runs special programs for the community.
Stop the Hate®
This program encourages students in grades 6-12 to stand up against bullying and intolerance. Students can write essays or songs about creating a more accepting world. The museum gives scholarships and awards to students who inspire others to be kind and respectful.
Begin the Conversation
This program brings people of all backgrounds together to talk about important topics. Through guest speakers, films, and performances, the museum creates a space where people can listen to different points of view and understand each other better.
See also
Jews and Judaism in Cleveland
