Past Exhibitions

Sound the Shofar - A Witness to History

Tracing the shofar from animal horn to icon. On display were shofars from around the world, each marking a pivotal event in history, a poignant personal story or the quest for religious freedom. Together they tell the story of the Jewish people across the generations.

Exhibition catalog is available from the Museum Shop.

Angels & Demons - Jewish Magic Through The Ages

This thought-provoking exhibition explored the practice of magic in Jewish tradition from ancient times to day through archaeology, folklore and superstition in an all encompassing display of amulets, khamsas, jewelry, manuscripts and books of spells. These mystifying objects have been assembled together for the first time to illustrate this riveting subject.

Exhibition catalog is available from the Museum Shop.

Echoes of Egypt

Presenting maps, paintings and photographs of Egypt from the 16th to the 19th centuries was opened in 2009 in commemoration of the thirtieth anniversary of the Israel-Egypt peace agreement. The exhibition offered a glimpse into a time and place where the western world first began to discover the magnificence of Egypt.   
 

Exhibition catalog is available from the Museum Shop.

Sounds of Ancient Music

Among the 137 important findings included in this exhibition were rare ancient musical instruments. Also displayed were life size replicas of ancient instruments created by the sculptor Moshe Frumin. The mysterious sounds of the past were revealed in this unusual exhibition which combined sight and sound.

 Exhibition catalog is available from the Museum Shop.

Treasures of Ancient Glass

Exquisite examples of intricate, finely detailed ancient glass were dramatically displayed in this exhibition which, through new technology, revealed the expertise of ancient artisans.
Displayed together for the first time were approximately a 100 artifacts from the private collection of Batya and Elie Borowski.

Exhibition catalog is available from the Museum Shop.

Dragons, Monsters and Fabulous Beasts

Displaying a rich array of fantastic creatures from antiquity, this exhibition explored the fascinating mythology and dramatic tales that surround composite beasts of the ancient world - Griffins, Sirens, Sphinxes, Tritons, Nereids, Centaurs, Cherubs, and others. 

Exhibition catalog is available from the Museum Shop.

Sweet as Honey

This exhibition opened in celebration of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. On display were frescos, mosaics, statues, seals and coins tracing the story of honey in the Ancient Near East. The exhibition is enhanced with beautiful photographs and explanations in three languages.

Exhibition catalog is available from the Museum Shop.

Enduring Images

19th Century Jerusalem through Lens and Brush
This exhibition opened as part of the tenth anniversary celebrations of The Bible Lands Museum Jerusalem. Displayed in the exhibition was a rare collection of views of Jerusalem as seen through the lens of the camera and the artist's eye. With the invention of photography in 1839, Jerusalem was recorded for history with unprecedented accuracy. The original photographs and rare drawings are works of art revealing the life, landscapes and portraiture of the era and are a source of detailed historic and ethnographic documentation.

Exhibition catalog is available from the Museum Shop.

Let There Be Light

Oil-Lamps from the Holy Land.
The exhibition of ancient oil-lamps celebrated Chanukah, the Festival of Lights. Simple and utilitarian in form, these lamps were of great importance as the main source of light.

Exhibition catalog is available from the Museum Shop.

Images of Inspiration

The Old Testament in Early Christian Art
This exhibition illuminated the strong bond between Judaism and Christianity and revealed how Old Testament stories inspired Christian art and iconography. Shown were many fascinating examples of ancient art depicting Adam and Eve, Abraham and Isaac, Noah and other familiar scenes.

Exhibition catalog is available from the Museum Shop.

The Human Form Divine

A dramatic exhibition shedding light on the material cultures from Spain in the West to Iran in the East and dating from the Neolithic Age to the Classical periods. On show were ancient figurines modeled from clay, bronze, bone and stone.

Exhibition catalog is available from the Museum Shop.