Shimon Peres, President of the State of Israel, Lays the Cornerstone for the New Museum of the Jewish People at Beit Hatfutsot

TEL AVIV, Israel, May 29, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today Beit Hatfutsot welcomed Israel's President Shimon Peres for a special event to lay the cornerstone for the new Museum of the Jewish People. The museum is currently undergoing a comprehensive renovation, and the laying of the cornerstone marked an important milestone in the process of its renewal.

Approximately 400 guests from Israel and abroad, including 100 students and young adults, arrived to mark the historic laying of the cornerstone for the new museum, scheduled to open in 2017. The evening was also an opportunity to thank the guest of honor, His Excellency President Shimon Peres, for his lifelong efforts and commitment in service of the Jewish People.  

Irina Nevzlin Kogan, Chair of the Board of Directors of Beit Hatfutsot, said, "Throughout his life President Peres has dedicated himself to the entire Jewish People. His remarkable story makes him the natural choice to lay the cornerstone for the new Museum, which will inspire and connect the Jewish People in Israel and around the world."

"The laying of the cornerstone for the new museum is a unique opportunity to thank President Peres for his enormous contribution and his lifelong efforts for the Jewish People," said Dan Tadmor, CEO of Beit Hatfutsot. 

During his remarks at the event, President Peres said, "The Museum of the Jewish People brings together Jews from across the world, allowing us to gather together and celebrate our history and culture. I'm proud to support this iconic institution and its important future."

President Peres was then presented with a unique gift – a leather parchment displaying his family tree, specially created by the artist Ira Obolski. Obolski was able to draw upon research that Beit Hatfutsot had undertaken into President Peres' family, with the assistance of the President's daughter, Dr. Tsvia Valden.

The audience had the opportunity to enjoy a short film produced exclusively for this event, showcasing the President's life story and his contribution to Jewish communities around the world. The evening's program also included performances by a children's choir from Holon, the renowned Israeli singer Harel Skaat and leading choreographer and dancer Ido Tadmor.

Guests also enjoyed a first glimpse of Beit Hatfutsot's new core exhibit, which was beamed on to the outside walls of the museum. The new core exhibit of The Museum of the Jewish People will take visitors on a fascinating journey of Jewish life from biblical times until today, with an increased emphasis on contemporary Jewish life and modern expressions of Jewish identity. The museum will inspire a sense of belonging and identification with the Jewish people and enable any Jew to find his or her own personal narrative within the shared Jewish story.

Following the cornerstone event, the next milestone in the museum's multi-stage renewal project will take place at end of 2014, with the launch of Beit Hatfutsot Online. This interactive tool will make the use of Beit Hatfutsot's extensive research databases, accessible to any user, anytime, anywhere. President Peres was the first person to enjoy the use of this system, by creating and uploading his own family tree from his residence via his own computer.

By the summer of 2015, the public will also be able to enjoy the renovated Synagogue Gallery, displaying models of various synagogues from around the world through the use of immersive multimedia technology.

About Beit Hatfutsot
First opened in 1978, Beit Hatfutsot, the Museum of the Jewish People, is a global institution telling the ongoing and extraordinary story of the Jewish people. Beit Hatfutsot connects Jewish people to their roots and strengthens their personal and collective Jewish identity. The museum, located in Tel Aviv, conveys to the world the fascinating narrative of the Jewish people and the essence of the Jewish culture, faith, purpose and deed while presenting the contribution of world Jewry to humanity.

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Media Inquiries:
Assia Reuben
Director, PR & Publications
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Tel: 03-7457883
Mobile: 052-6130529
www.bh.org.il

SOURCE Beit Hatfutsot, the Museum of the Jewish People