On the surface, this sounds like the perfect invitation for a family reunion: The 'Ano' Museum - formerly the Beit Hatfutsot, has rebranded itself as a hall that glorifies Jewish history, a place that tells the story of our people for generations. The latest campaigns are aimed directly at the religious and ultra-Orthodox public, in our language, with our codes, with the understanding that this audience thirsts for a deep connection to the heritage of their ancestors.
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But according to the Yad L'Achim organization, beneath the glittering facade and the spectacular technological displays, lies a painful truth that cannot be ignored. Warm-hearted Jewish visitors who have visited the site have left shocked and hurt.
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The reason: Within the multitude of displays, offensive messages were elegantly implanted that undermine the most basic foundation of the Jewish people - the preservation of identity and the prohibition of assimilation.
The information reached the organization 'Yad L'Achim' - which has been at the forefront of the struggle to preserve the identity of the Jewish people for years. The organization received evidence of a performance that presents mixed marriages and assimilation not as a historical disaster, but as a legitimate option, as part of the new "Jewish mosaic.".
In an urgent and reasoned appeal sent by Yad L'Achim to the museum's management, the seriousness of the situation was made clear. However, the response received was no less outrageous than the display itself: Museum officials initially claimed that the display was innocent. Finally, they claimed that changing the contents of a museum on such a large scale is "a complex process that takes time.".
Yad L'Achim claims that it might have been possible to understand the claim about administrative difficulties, if one side of the museum had not written that "change takes time," while the other side is pouring huge budgets into attracting the ultra-Orthodox and religious public right now, into that very museum, with those problematic exhibits that have not yet been fixed.
""You can't hold the rope at both ends," Yad Laachim says painfully. "It's impossible for the museum to have a discussion with us about removing the display that tramples on the value of Israel's eternity, and at the same time entice God-fearing families, educators, and students to come and view those exact displays.".
According to Yad L'Achim, the danger in the museum does not stem from the overt and explicit content, but rather from the hidden messages. When a child who is observant of Torah and mitzvot sees a spectacular display that combines historical Jewish figures, alongside the presentation of mixed marriages as a normative thing, his natural defenses crack. The message permeates: "If it's in the Museum of the Jewish People, it's probably part of Judaism.".
Yad L'Achim claims that this is consumer and spiritual deception of the highest order.
This is how a family is displayed in the museum. Photo: Yad L'Achim
'Yad L'Achim sent an urgent letter to the museum's management, but the museum chose not to respond.
The organization that fights against miscegenation and assimilation views the move with great severity. According to them, "This is not a debate about taste or artistic style, but about the very soul of the Jewish people. Presenting assimilation as legitimate is crossing a red line that erases thousands of years of dedication by Jews of all generations who preserved their identity at all costs.".
The call now coming out of Yad Laachim is sharp and clear: "As long as the museum does not correct the distortion, as long as it displays content that contradicts Halacha and Jewish tradition from generation to generation - the public is called to stay away from the place.".
""We appeal to every father and mother, to every director of an educational institution, and to everyone who holds the victory of Israel dear to their hearts," concludes Yad L'Achim, "Do not give in to the blurring of identity. Do not bring your loved ones to a place where borders are breached. The responsibility for the next generation is in our hands. Until the distortion is fully corrected - we are not there.".
Haredim 10 asked for the museum's response. When it was received, it was published.
Protest ad published by Yad L'Achim'
