JERUSALEM (JTA) — The Israel Museum in Jerusalem has opened after a five-year, $100 million renovation project.
The renewed campus of the museum was inaugurated Sunday. The opening will be celebrated with a week of public programs and 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 are opening with a series of exhibitions highlighting recent acquisitions and long-held masterpieces.
James Carpenter Design Associates of New York and Efrat Kowalsky Architects of Tel Aviv oversaw the renovation.
The museum was founded in 1965, when Teddy Kollek served as mayor of Jerusalem.
