1 ANNUAL REPORT 2017 2 3 Dear Friends, 2017 was a busy and fruitful year for the Museum of the Jewish We are thankful to have the support and friendship of People at Beit Hatfutsot. The Annual Report which follows dedicated individuals and organizations in Israel and around reflects the significant leap forward which the museum has the world, who share our vision and help make the dream of made so far, and continues to make en route to its complete the new Museum of the Jewish People a reality. We continue renewal. From acquisitions of unique and precious artifacts to engage new audiences who take part in the museum’s that enrich the museum’s collection, through an increasing programs and enjoy the wealth of its content - exhibits, number of visitors, to new partnerships around the world – Beit programs and activities, onsite and online, and across Hatfutsot is reinstating its status as a key institution on the the globe. We take pride in connecting Jews of different global Jewish map, which celebrates Jewish life, culture and backgrounds and geographic locations to the extraordinary creativity. story we all share. Come join us on this fascinating and inspiring journey! Alongside these advancements, in 2017 we have created the Andrew H. and Ann R. Tisch Center for Jewish Dialogue. At a time when the unity of the Jewish People is threatened by a growing rift between its diverse groups and factions, we at Beit Hatfutsot recognized the urgent need to address this crisis. Irina Nevzlin, Chair of the Board In a symposium we held in March, first of its kind, a group of thought-leaders, politicians, philanthropists and media professionals from Israel, the USA and Europe, discussed the “Challenges and Promises of the Relationship between Israel & Diaspora Jewry”. We intend to expand these discussions in reaching out to a broader audience, and in allowing for every Jewish voice to be heard. It is imperative to raise awareness to this pressing issue, in order to build bridges and to secure a strong and prosperous future for our people. Irina Nevzlin, Chair of the Board and H.E. UN Secretary General António Guterres at Beit Hatfutsot 4 5 Dedicated to the Jewish Story In 2005, the Israeli Knesset passed the Beit Hatfutsot Law The number of Museum visitors is growing, and it that defines Beit Hatfutsot as “the National Center for Jewish demonstrates our relevance — now more than ever before. communities in Israel and around the world.” The Museum is 35,000 schoolchildren; 7,000 soldiers; 6,500 Russian Birthright dedicated to telling the unique and ongoing story of the Jewish participants and many thousands of Israelis and tourists, groups People. We do so through exhibitions, educational programs and families, diplomats and youth movements enjoyed our and community cultural events. This Annual Report presents programs. The Museum’s website had over 1.2 million visits our achievements, programs and exhibitions from 2017, all from more than 900,000 individuals. These online visitors geared toward cultivating a pluralistic and inclusive sense of purchased event tickets, read articles and gained new insight belonging to the Jewish People. Over 200,000 visitors enjoyed into the ongoing story of the Jewish People. our exhibitions in 2017, mainly in the New Wing, which opened in May 2016. In addition to “Hallelujah! Assemble, Pray, Study Our 150,000+ social media followers allow us to interact – Synagogues Past and Present” and “Heroes – Trailblazers of with visitors before, during and after their visits, as well as the Jewish People,” we also witnessed growing interest in the to continue a dialogue with them beyond the Museum walls exhibitions “Forever Young – Bob Dylan at 75” and the thought- via discussions, activities and events centered around Jewish provoking multimedia exhibition “Operation Moses –30 Years identity. We are all part of the story. After.” We also proudly presented “Capturing History: The Photography of Chim,” a retrospective exhibition on the life We all carry memories and traditions. Preparing for Phase II of and work of Chim, one of the greatest photojournalists of the our Renewal Plan, we opened our doors to the general public early twentieth century. by inviting families to donate and/or loan personal and familial artifacts to be used in a worldwide virtual exhibition. Lastly, To commemorate the first anniversary of the passing of in October we closed the previous incarnation of our Core Leonard Cohen, the Museum presented a video exhibit based Exhibition after four decades. We did this in preparation for on his track “You Want it Darker.” This celebration of Cohen’s Phase II of the Renewal Plan, an overhaul which will culminate life integrated excerpts from a 1964 Canadian TV documentary in the opening of the New Museum in 2019 with a brand new with reflections by Israeli musicians. Core Exhibition dedicated to celebrating the Jewish People while exploring its history. If you haven’t visited us yet, please consider this a personal invitation. We will be happy to host you and share our vision and plans. Dan Tadmor, CEO Capturing History: The Photography of Chim 6 7 Curatorial Department Capturing History The Photography of Chim In 2017-2018 The Museum of the Jewish People at Beit Hatfutsot was proud to present a retrospective exhibition on the life and work of Chim, one of the greatest photojournalists of the first half of the twentieth century. Born Dawid Szymin, later called David Seymour, and known professionally as Chim, he was a pioneer of the golden age in political photojournalism. Co-founder of Magnum Photos with long-time friends Henri Cartier-Bresson and Robert Capa, Chim took portraits of leaders, artists and intellectuals that appeared in the world’s leading magazines. His depictions of the Spanish Civil War, of a Europe devastated by World War Two, and of the first years of the State of Israel helped form the collective memory Helen Sarid and Ben Shneiderman at the Opening Night of the exhibition of the twentieth century. These iconic photographs reflect Chim’s technical expertise and visual intuition, along with the compassion, humanism and optimism that characterize his work. Developed in collaboration with Helen Sarid and Ben Shneiderman, Chim’s niece and nephew, this exhibition provided several opportunities for discussion, educational programs and gallery talks. American Actor Kirk Douglas during the making of “The Act of Love” France, Capturing History: The Photography of Chim 1952, © David Seymour (CHIM) Estate/Magnum 8 9 Expanded Collection Special Acquisition The Museum opened its doors to the general public by In 2017 the Curating Department received a unique Esther asking families to donate or loan artifacts to be displayed in scroll. It belonged to the Monsingo family of Fez, Morocco who a worldwide virtual exhibition. The public has been invited to were forced to leave Spain following the expulsion edict of search their attics for family heirlooms and other historical 1492. Once in Morocco, the Monsingos produced a long line of items. As a result of this effort, the Museum greatly expanded noteworthy rabbinic scholars, including the Chief Rabbis of Fez its collection through donations received in 2017. and other cities in Morocco. The Museum’s objective is to implement an online platform After being in the Monsingo family for many generations, this through which to share this exhibition with Jewish communities Megillat Esther was acquired by the Mimron family in Israel. across the world, and also to invite communities outside of The scroll continued to be read in synagogue each Purim, and Israel to share their heirlooms via this platform. Communities in 2015 it was read in the synagogue of Rabbi Amar, the Chief across the globe will be able to log in and exchange digital Sephardi Rabbi of Jerusalem. images and related stories as part of the Museum’s theme: “You Are Part of the Story.” After seeing the model of the Fez synagogue in the synagogue exhibition of the New Wing of the Museum, the Mimron family donated this Megillat Esther to the Museum so that its story can be told. This scroll has been analyzed and dated by experts from Israel’s National Library. Gutwirth-Zucker Prague Haggadah, c. 1707 Megilat (Scroll) Esther circa the expulsion of the Jews from Spain, late 15th century The Alfred H. Moses and Family Synagogue Hall 10 11 Memorable Gifts In an historic first-ever visit, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Israel in July 2017. PM Modi brought with him ancient Judaica artifacts from The Paradesi Synagogue in Cochin, India as a gift to the Jewish community of Cochin in Israel. The outstanding nature of this gesture is highlighted by the fact that, until today, it was impossible to remove items from this synagogue. In a festive ceremony, the artifacts were given by leaders of the community to Beit Hatfutsot to be displayed in the new Core Exhibition (2019). Standing out amongt these artifacts is the Keter Torah (crown of the Torah) that was donated to the Paradesi Synagogue in the 19th century. “We thank PM Modi, the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the representatives of the Cochin community for putting their faith in the Museum,” said Dr. Orit Shaham Gover, Museum's Chief Curator, “this is a testimony to the significant role the Museum plays in documenting Jewish communities and preserving our heritage and stories.” In addition, the Museum announced the acquisition of a unique Italian Torah set from the 18th century. The set, which includes a Torah Scroll, Torah Mantle, Silver Finials, Crown and half Crown, was in the possession of the Sacerdoti family for at least six generations. It later was transferred to the Great Synagogue of Modena where it was in use until the mid- 1960’s, and then it was brought to the State of Israel.