Israel Museum reopens in Jerusalem

The Israel Museum in Jerusalem has reopened after a five-year, $100 million renovation project.

The renewed campus of the museum was inaugurated July 25. The opening was to be celebrated with a week of public events, including concerts by popular Israeli musicians, activities for children, and programs featuring artists, writers and performers.

The museum’s three collection wings — the Samuel and Saidye Bronfman Archaeology Wing, the Edmond and Lily Safra Fine Arts Wing, and the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Wing for Jewish Art and Life — have been redone. Though the exhibit space has more than doubled, fewer objects are on display for more ease in viewing.

The new galleries opened with a series of exhibitions highlighting recent acquisitions and long-held masterpieces. The museum was founded in 1965, when Teddy Kollek served as mayor of Jerusalem. — jta