Museum Teaches Children About Jewish Customs, Traditions

Jewish parents who want their children to learn more about Jewish history, customs and traditions will find a helping hand at My Jewish Discovery Place.

Located inside the Westside Jewish Community Center in Los Angeles, the new children’s museum celebrated its grand opening on Nov. 22. It was created to introduce children of all ethnic backgrounds to the key elements of Jewish life.

“What we’ve tried to create is a magical space that will encourage learning and interaction for children and their families” said Esther Netter, executive director of the museum. “The museum is not just reserved for the Jewish community but it is there for the public.”

The concept for a Jewish children’s museum was developed by the Jewish Community Centers Assn. of North America as one of five projects throughout the United States. The programs are funded in part by the Avi Chai Foundation and Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles.

The exhibits at the museum are geared to children ages 3 to 7.

Parents are encouraged to assist the museum staff. The parents play a pivotal role in getting materials set up and helping children understand their Jewish heritage through exhibits like a miniature model synagogue and giant Torah scroll.

“There was no such thing as a Jewish children’s museum until now,” said Netter, who is also a mother of three. “Children learn by experiences and the more senses you can incorporate into the learning experience, the more they will grow.”

As far as the future goes, Netter said plans are in the works to expand the programs to include sessions with bilingual speakers, establish a docent program and change exhibits every three months. They also hope to design programs for older youths through the Los Angeles Santa Monica-Malibu and Beverly Hills school districts.

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Linda Lucks has been appointed to the Los Angeles County Beach Advisory Committee by Supervisor Ed Edelman.

Lucks, a resident of Venice, will join the 20-member Beach Advisory Committee, which is responsible for reviewing all beach projects and advising the County Board of Supervisors on coastal issues.

She has also served as a Westside field deputy for Los Angeles City Councilwoman Ruth Galanter.

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Sylvia Gentile won an “Outstanding Achievement Award for Interior Projects” in the Industrial Fabrics Assn.’s 1992 International Awards Competition.

Gentile’s winning piece, “Weaving the Elements,” was one of 229 entries in this annual competition that recognizes the latest advances in industrial/technical design and production. The piece was commissioned for the first anniversary of the Young Artist Series exhibit at the Eatz Gallery in Santa Monica Place.

Gentile has a studio in Santa Monica.

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The Lita Dershewitz chapter of the City of Hope National Medical Center awarded its “Spirit of Life” to Beverly Hills attorney Dale Gribow.

Gribow, a community leader who serves on the board of directors for numerous charity organizations in Southern California, was honored at a dinner Dec. 2 at the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills.

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The UCLA Graduate School of Architecture and Urban Planning has named several community and labor leaders as participants in this year’s Community Scholars Program.

The 1992-93 community scholars are Olga Avalos, Charlotte Bullock, Carlos Porras, Vivat Sethachuay, Tom Smolich, Moe Stavnezer, Carlos Vaquerano and Alan Toy. The scholars will attend graduate classes and participate in a nine-month project titled “Organizing Strategies for Grassroots Economic Development Policy in Los Angeles.”