Course at Tel Aviv University – To Feel and Know: A Tour & Course at ANU – Museum of the Jewish People
Historical research is often confined to classrooms or libraries, distancing us from the subjects we seek to understand. However, the ANU Museum offers a unique opportunity to engage with history in a more immersive and tangible way. In this special academic course, TAU students move beyond traditional learning environments and step into the museum’s exhibition spaces.
Each lesson centers on a specific exhibit or series of exhibits, transforming the museum itself into the classroom. Through the exploration of artifacts, images, and historical narratives, students gain a deeper understanding of Jewish life across different cultures and time periods, from the Middle Ages to the modern era. By combining preliminary readings, direct engagement with the museum’s collections, and further research, this course offers an enriched, experiential approach to history that brings the past to life in ways that textbooks alone cannot.
In this semester-long course, students explore the history of objects, ideas, daily life, and books, as well as the connections between exhibits, images, and concepts. A key aspect of the learning experience is engaging in critical discussions about the role of modern museums in shaping or creating historical truth, and examining their capabilities and limitations in this regard. The course is taught by Professor Maoz Kahana from the Department of Jewish History at Tel Aviv University and Mrs. Irit Shapira Meir, Chief Curator at the ANU Museum. Over the course of twelve sessions, students participate in ten visits to the ANU Museum, along with one visit to a private collector.
