After 10 years of planning the former Diaspora Museum in Tel Aviv (Beit Hatfutsot or The Museum of the Jewish People) has reopened as ANU Museum. The name comes from the Hebrew word for “we”. ANU signifies inclusion of the diverse and collective spirit of the Jewish people wherever they are.
It is one of the must-see museums in Israel, and is best enjoyed with a private tour guide in Israel. A visit to the ANU Museum in Tel Aviv will give you a clear understanding of the people who make up the mosaic of Israeli society.
The museum tells the story of Jewish people around the world, their experiences, accomplishments and spirit. It highlights the different Jewish traditions, and cultures in various communities in different historic periods and communities.
You’ll learn about the central themes that connect Jews, no matter where they are in the world and the biblical ideas and ideological foundations that are still weaved into the practice of Judaism today.
Jewish identity is expressed in many different ways, and this museum explores the folklore, languages, arts, and literature of these diverse denominations of Judaism. It covers the rebirth of the Jewish people after the Holocaust and the establishment of the State of Israel.
ANU makes a great addition to a bar mitzvah Israel tour which can be arranged by a private Israeli guide. The exhibits leave you with the knowledge that the Jewish story that started thousands of years ago is ongoing.
But the thing that makes this museum truly unique is the style of presentation. ANU is spread across three floors and uses state-of-the art methods to tell the Jewish story. There are photographs, models, holograms, interactive screens, films, music, sound bites, art, and authentic artifacts. Israel wikitravel rightly says that ANU is the biggest, most advanced and most comprehensive museum of its kind.