Herzoq family at the beach, Austria, c. 1920s
Donated by Herbert Herzoq, 6042.11

In Season
Spring, Summer, Autumn & Winter – a playful journey through a Jewish lens
25 August 2013 – 06 July 2014

Remember curling up with a delicious bowl of Bubba’s hot chicken soup? The smell of sweet spring honey cake straight from the oven? Grains of sand beneath your feet on a hot summer’s day? Or the delight of stomping on fallen golden leaves? There’s something special about every season, which is why the Jewish Museum of Australia has curated this highly anticipated exhibition, In Season. Designed specifically for kids and families, this exhibition will display rarely seen items from the permanent collection to tantalise and engage all of the senses! The Museum’s Loti Smorgon Gallery will be transformed into a dedicated kid’s space, combining colourful, vibrant design with tactile experiences and more traditional object display.

Let us take you on a playful, educational and stimulating journey – from dress-ups to drawing, cooking to photography – for you and your little ones to discover the beauty of the changing seasons from a uniquely Jewish perspective.

For a taste of what’s to come throughout the life of In Season, the Museum is hosting a fantastic, free open day featuring:

• A cooking demonstration with self-confessed Jewish food-nerd Alice Zaslavsky
• Curator’s talk from Jess Bram
• Gardening with horticulturalist Lindy Barnett
• Music with Bo La Shir
• Arts and crafts activities and Exhibition trails available all day

Bring your kids and grandkids along and have a ball with us. Check our website for more details.

The High Holidays – a search for meaning

On Passover the Jews left Egypt. On Chanukah the menorah burnt for eight days. What happened on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur? This four week series is designed to make the High Holidays more meaningful by providing a unique learning opportunity. Unravel the liturgy, navigate the prayer books, understand and appreciate the synagogue proceedings, and explore the symbolism and metaphors of our rich tradition. This course will enrich your experience of this pivotal festival. Join master educators Paul Forgasz, Rabbi Fred Morgan, Shelley Cohney and Rebecca Forgasz as they each take you on a journey of illumination.

Dates: Monday on 19, 26 August, 2, 9 September
Time: 10am-12pm
Bookings: Click here to book online or visit our website
Enrolment closes on Monday 12 August
Cost: $100 Museum member/ $120 non-member

The Three Generations, Part One, triptych
Charles Aisen, 1980s, 1695

Museum-neighbour Jonathan Zhou from Alma Food Store visited the Museum recently after being situated diagonally opposite for over ten years. Originally from Shanghai, Mr. Zhou was particularly moved by the stories of Jewish refugees from Europe who sought refuge in Shanghai during the Second World War. He remembered as a boy, living amongst Russian Jews. Mr Zhou said he loved visiting the Museum, and wished he hadn’t waited so long to visit!

Inspired by his visit, we're inviting Port Phillip locals to visit us free during this month's Late Night Opening, 5–9pm Thursday 29 August. Simply bring your postcode or your local copy of Divercity magazine (see page 9) and a smile!

Chinese cyclist transporting matzah, Horst Eisfelder, photographer, Shanghai, c. 1940s
 

The Museum was positively buzzing on Sunday for the final day of the Blake Prize and the Open House Melbourne event. People were queuing at the door from 9.30am to make the most of hourly Synagogue tours, and half-hourly curatorial tours, as well as exploring the temporary and permanent exhibitions. All-in-all we received over 200 visitors on the day! We want to say a huge thank you to all volunteers involved in making this happen, and if you came along, thank you for embracing our Museum! There was a lot of naches* in the air.

* Yiddish – pride, joy.

Are you prepared for the High Holidays? Visit the Museum Shop and make your Rosh Hashanah shine with pieces such as the Apple and Honey set by Laura Cowan. Want something for the kids? We have some beautiful children's books celebrating the new year. Shop hours are Monday 12.30–3pm, Tuesday to Thursday 10am – 4pm, Sunday 10am – 5pm.

JIFF's 2012 festival Opening Night film, The World is Funny opens exclusively at the Classic Cinemas from 1 August. Watch the trailer here. For your chance to win a double pass to see the film email marketing@jewishmuseum.com.au with JIFF in the subject line. To keep up-to-date with the latest JIFF news and movies, sign up for the JIFF enews here!

Melbourne Writers Festival is on this month from 22 August to 1 September and we have tickets to giveaway! Join Professor of History and Director of the Frankel Centre for Judaic studies in Michigan, Deborah Dash-Moore and Monash Professor of Jewish literary studies Leah Garrett in GI Jews on Sunday 25 August at 10am. Dash-Moore and Garrett share their insights into Jewish American soldiers in World War II and the dominance of Jewish writers on the subject. Simply email marketing@jewishmuseum.com.au with subject line 'GI Jews' for your chance to WIN a double pass.

La Mama Theatre presents the Australian premiere of George Tabori’s acclaimed farce, Mein Kampf, a dizzying and demented play that blends multiple comic genres and humour both high and low. For your chance to win a double pass to see the show on Sunday 11 August at 6.30pm, email marketing@jewishmuseum.com.au with La Mama in the subject line.

Please note giveaways are for Museum members only and winners will be notified.