Plotkin museum reopens Tunisian Legacy exhibitAfter being dismantled and its pieces placed in storage for almost two years, the Tunisian Legacy exhibit is reopening this weekend at the Sylvia Plotkin Judaica Museum at Temple Beth Israel, 10460 N. 56th St., Scottsdale.The exhibit, which features a re-creation of a Tunisian synagogue, was stashed away when the congregation moved to its new campus in 1997. The detailed synagogue re-creation includes authentic Tunisian accessories - from ceramic tiles to reed mats for the benches. Artifacts were collected from the Koskas Synagogue in Tunis. The exhibit also includes 36 photographs of the Jewish community on the Island of D'jerba, off the coast of Tunisia, by Keren Friedman. Tunisian Legacy will be rededicated in its new home in a special event beginning at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 18. Friedman will speak on traditional wedding ceremonies of Tunisia and will illustrate the custom of a bride's henna-dyed hands. There will be a "Taste of Tunisia" reception. Reservations are necessary. Cost is $18. "Jews of D'jerba" will remain on display through Dec. 30. In addition to the rededication of the Tunisian exhibit, the museum on Oct. 18 will dedicate a commemorative plaque honoring the museum's founder, the late Sylvia Plotkin, wife of Beth Israel Rabbi Emeritus Albert Plotkin. The plaque will be dedicated at 2 p.m. Admission to the plaque dedication is free and open to the public. Family and friends of Plotkin will speak. Sylvia Plotkin also is among the women honored in a special exhibit in the Arizona Hall of Fame Museum downtown, 1101 W. Washington St. A picture of Plotkin, standing in front of the Tunisian synagogue exhibit, along with two artifacts from the museum are part of the "Making a Difference: Arizona Women Building Communities 1900-1980" exhibit, which opened Oct. 15. On Thursday, Oct. 22, the Sylvia Plotkin Judaica Museum will have a volunteer orientation coffee from 10 a.m. to noon. Volunteers are needed as hosts/hostesses, touring docents, and to help with clerical duties, publicity, the museum newsletter, educational activities, special events planning, the government committee, computer input and the collection management team. To attend the orientation, call the museum office at 951-0323 by Wednesday, Oct. 21 |