Metro

Shalom Street's archaeological exhibit gives hands-on experience.

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JN

7/23
2004

24

ince July 4, school-age children and .their
families have had the unique opportunity to
excavate, sift and explore the land of Israel
in an archeological playground created exclusively
for Shalom Street Children's Museum.
Located on the grounds of the Jewish
Community Center in West Bloomfield, "Diggin'
Israel " features a family-friendly replica of an
excavation site of a home from the Second
Temple period.
Diggin' Israel represents the museum's most
ambitious programming since opening in
December 2003.
"We're getting an incredible response from the
children," said program coordinator Seigal Eli-
Ger's. "We have had numerous repeat participants
who want to experience the dig more than once."
Designed for group participation, the program
offers a show and tell of Israel's basic archaeologi-
cal facts and findings. Sessions take approximately
90 minutes and begin with the guidance of the

Shalom Street Players, the museum's resident act-
ing troupe, and senior archeologist Aaron Greener
from Jerusalem.
_ The young participants rotate through various
activities, excavating, identifying and examining

Clockwisefroin
.Rax.h.ael State, 9, Q ”
Walled :Lakedusts uncovered artlfacts..,..:
Archaeologist Aaron Greener
ofJerusalem.
.
explains. tools of his trade.
Stephanie Chtidnow,. 8. of West Bloomfield Os
for 'a' rttfacts" with fellow JCC day campers.

their finds, and then actually restore an "ancient
vessel" to take home with them.
"By the end of the experience, the kids will be
certified as 'junior archaeologists,'" said Greener.

"Here, the children have a chance -to have fun,
learn and get their hands dirty ... literally," said
Avigal Greenberg, assistant archaeologist, also
from Jerusalem. The adults get as much out of
the experience as the kids do. It's a family event."
In addition to regular hours, Shalom Street
presents a weekly evening series of excavation
activities for families with varying themes. These
programs include Diggin' Discussion, a Tisha
b'Av commemoration on Tuesday, July 27, and
Dig 'n' Drummin' with Israeli drumming and
dancing on Wednesday, July 28. ❑

— Jonathan Beller, Shalom Street director

Diggin' Israel runs through Aug. 1. Regular
hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday through
Thursday, with scheduled digs every two
hours. Call (248) 432-5465 to RSVP.