Just under a year ago, it opened as the Museum on the
Seam – for Dialogue, Understanding and Coexistence. The
attempt at dialogue and coexistence are not limited only
to Jews and Arabs, as one might expect, but rather to
Israeli society with its many and varied differences.
There is an attempt here to connect between ‘us’ and
‘them’ regardless of what those might be.
It is the type of place one wants to encourage people
to visit while not revealing the sheer power of the
visit. And powerful it is.
Museum on the Seam is not a place you walk into, view
the displays and simply leave. Rather, it is truly an
interactive experience, facilitated by a guide, who
literally walks you through an array of exhibits (note,
to ensure that you will be able to see the exhibits
visits should be pre-arranged). The tour typically lasts
about an hour and a quarter to an hour and a half.
Exhibits are available in English, Hebrew and Arabic
(the guide chooses the appropriate language as you walk
through). The tour includes a magnificent lookout from
the museum’s rooftop, where a Cafe is planned.
Located on the seam between East and West Jerusalem
or what used to be the seam between Israel and Jordan
the museum is also on the seam of the ultra-orthodox and
secular neighborhoods. Not only is the museum now more
in step with the realities of the era, it offers a
thought provoking experience, replete with high-tech
ingenuity.
The building is best known to most as the Tourjeman
Post. In a previous incarnation, it served as a museum
dedicated to the divided/re-united city, Jerusalem. Like
the city that houses it, this is a place where old meets
new. The building’s outward exterior, a testament to its
history, is certainly not representative of the displays
inside. It is a place where twenty-first century
exhibits meet a war-torn balcony (see photo).
Originally built in the 1930’s by christian Palestinian architect (Andoni Baramki) for his family, the building was first captured
by the Haganah forces in 1948 and used as a forward
military position. Later, in 1967 it was once again on
the front. Both in the past, as in the present, the
building’s importance is based on geography. When the
city was divided, the area in which the museum is
located was known as the Mandelbaum Gate. The Mandelbaum
Gate area was the sole location for Israel-Jordan
Armistice Committee meetings, held between officers of
the IDF and the Jordanian Legion oficers, under the
auspices of the United Nations. In fact, the United
Nations building is just across the way from the museum.
Whether listening to the cacophony of vocal views,
from all walks of Israeli society; digitally drawing
graffiti on a wall where Israeli soldiers drew graffiti
while at their post; or walking the Corridor of Peace,
with quotes from Nobel Peace Prize laureates, this tour
is sure to make you ponder how dialogue, coexistence and
understanding can be achieved in today’s Israeli
society. The tour ends with a 20-minute movie that can
include a very interesting ending in a unique conference
room.
The renovation of the museum was made possible by a
contribution from the von Holtzbrinck family through the
Jerusalem Foundation.
***SPECIAL NOTE***: Reservations MUST BE MADE in
ADVANCE IN ORDER TO SEE THIS MUSEUM.
The museum is located at 4 Chel Handasa Street,
Jerusalem, 91016.
02/626-1248 TEL
02/627-7062 FAX
Directions: Buses # 2,5,10, 13, 48a, 49, 173, 174
Visiting Hours: Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday
10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday 2:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Entry fees: Adult, 30 NIS/pp, Senior Citizens, 20
NIS/pp