Jewish Art and History Museum and Kids' Christmas Party

We had a busy Sunday.  Pierre signed the girls up for a workshop at the Jewish Art and History Museum.  The workshop was two hours long.  The girls had an opportunity to learn some history, check out a bit of the museum, learn about Hanukkah and menorahs, and to do some art.  Pierre and I explored the museum and went the the temporary exhibit on The Jews of Algeria.  The English translations at the museum and on their website are rather wordy and quite difficult to understand.  Early on in the exhibit, I decided it was just easier to read the French.

 

Here is a quick synopsis of  the History of the Jews in Algeria From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

    The History of the Jews in Algeria refers to the history of the Jewish community of Algeria, which dates to the 1st century CE. In the 14th century, many Spanish Jews moved to Algeria; among them were respected Jewish scholars, including Isaac ben Sheshet (Ribash) and Simeon ben Zemah Duran (Rashbatz).^[1]

Following Algerian independence in 1962, most of Algeria's 140,000 Jews, having been granted French citizenship in 1870, left with the pied-noirs for France.

 

The museum is in amazing building and tries to represent all of the different Jewish groups in the world.  It is a large museum and there is a lot of information and many amazing exhibits.  Photos are not allowed.   

 This photo was taken in the museum's courtyard. 

Extensive security measures have been added since the last time I visited several years ago

--so sad it is necessary. 

Sylvia's 

Lillian and Sylvia copied some of the images from menorahs onto their copper plates.

 Lillian's

After the museum, we ate some mediocre Chinese food and headed directly to the OECD kids' party.

 

In front of the main OECD building.

The OECD is one big organization and there were about a million people and their kids at the party.  The girls had a good time.  Sylvia especially loved all the excitement and all of the junk food.  Lillian and I had had enough early on and headed home.  Pierre and Sylvia, the party animals, stayed for a little longer.

 

Fishing for treasure