Chief Rabbi at ‘Israel in Brooklyn’

By COLlive reporter
Photos by Levik Hertzel

Israel’s Chief Rabbi Yona Metzger, together with his wife, Ofra, and twelve year old son Elimelech visited the all new fourth floor exhibition of the Jewish Children’s Museum on Thursday.

Touring the Museum with Rabbi Chaim Benjaminson – Director of the Young Leadership Committee of the JCM and Rabbi Sholom Ber Baumgarten of Tzivos Hashem, the Metzgers were extremely impressed with what the attraction has to offer, and marveled at the way the Tenach comes to life for its visitors.

They especially enjoyed the Israel Pavilion, and were in awe of the thought and concept behind each game and hands-on activity. Rabbi Metzger was pleased to watch the laughing children as they played a water race game of the 7 fruits of Israel.

“When a visitor touches a button, he has no idea of the process that took place, the extensive research that was done, before that button was there. But then the child presses it, and from that one touch he learns a whole new concept,” he said.

Their son Elimelech could be seen playing King David’s harp and building a replica of the Mishkan as the Jews did while travelling through the desert.

They also enjoyed the replica of the Kotel, commenting that, “this will surely encourage visitors to take a trip to Israel and pray at the real one!”

The all new fourth floor, titled “A Journey through Jewish History,” allows visitors to relive some of the defining moments in Jewish history—including the Exodus from Egypt, the giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai, Noah and the flood, the Holocaust, and a look to the future – the times of Moshiach.

Rabbi Metzger praised the exhibits, saying, “children learn so much here, and have a great time as well,” while snapping pictures on his iphone to show family and friends on his return to Israel.

The all new 4th floor is now open at the JCM, for tickets and more information please visit www.jcm.musuem