A Museum For Humankind Thrives in Denver

Imagine a museum that can heal while it inspires and unite while it defines - whose exhibits educate, inspire, empower, and challenge their viewers, without forcing a single ideology. Where exhibits and programs ask visitors not only to look, but also to think, feel, and in turn, inspire change in themselves and their community. Discover the Mizel Museum, a place without glass cases or signs that say “don’t touch,” and where adults and children of every race and culture are welcome to learn about one another and celebrate life.

Creating its own exhibitions and programs, as well as renting others which had been curated by Jewish museums throughout America, it dedicated itself to the diversity of Jewish life (art, architecture, ritual, and customs) all around the world. But Jews of the Diaspora have never separated themselves willingly from the many countries and cultures in which they’ve lived during their long history or since the dispersion from Israel in Biblical times. To the contrary, they’ve often assimilated and absorbed other cultural traditions, adopting many of the customs and folkways of foreign lands, thereby adding to the richness of Jewish cuisine, costume, music and even language. To study Jewish life is to study the world. Georgina Kolber, Exhibitions Curator believes, ‘Our varied exhibitions and programs intend to evoke a reaction, whether that be a subtle shift of one individual’s prejudices or a larger stir, such as community action. Last year, after viewing our “10 Global Artists Interpret Genocide” exhibit, one school group was moved to raise money for Darfurian slaves via their annual talent show. The children viewed the work of Michelle Torrez, an artist whose contribution to the show resulted from her visit to Sudan. All of Torrez’s portraits were slaves who had survived genocide and each one was accompanied by a story about that particular person. The work gave human faces, both of children and adults, to the word genocide, and the children were deeply affected. The entire series sold and Torrez donated all of the proceeds to a group who delivered the money directly to slave owners, thus freeing individual lives. That an artist and her work can inspire children to live as world citizens and recognize that all human beings must support each other is an example of how our work here at the Mizel Museum is unique and profound.”

In 1994, the museum created a pivotal outreach exhibition program called “Bridges of Understanding” a teaching tool using a series of artifacts mounted in accessible display cases designed to travel to schools, churches, synagogues and other museums. These portray the various rites of passage, as well as ceremonies and festivals of the world’s major cultural groups -- Jews, Muslims, Asians, Latinos, Native America and African Americans. This enrichment program which provides stimulus for comparison and difference, as well as encouraging ethnic pride, won the museum national recognition and prompted a permanent shift in the Museum’s mission statement and purpose. Nowhere in Denver had there been a place where people of all backgrounds could embrace each other as equals, with respect and understanding.

Therefore, the Mizel dedicated itself to teaching others not only about Judaism, but about acceptance and tolerance of all people, a basic Jewish value. The Mizel Museum became the portal through which visitors from every background could find insight into their own heritage.

As a follow-up, the sequel to Bridges is another traveling exhibition titled Tikkun Olam, a collaborative creation promoting intercultural respect and awareness created by Colorado artist Christy Honigman and currently on display at various public locations throughout Denver. Its 12 freestanding columns depict sayings by 54 participants from 27 different countries, written in their own language or through symbols, and portrays the interconnectedness and mutual interdependence of all human beings, regardless of race, ethnicity, and experience. A translation guide accompanies the exhibit, revealing the universal optimism and hope expressed in the participant’s words.

Now open to the public, the CELL, or Center for Empowering Living and Learning, is a 6000 square-foot space located across from the Leibskind building of the new Hamilton Wing of the Denver Art Museum, an alternative museum experience dependent on technology. It’s a center of learning and awareness, tracking terrorism around the world. Its first exhibit “Anyone, Anytime, Anywhere: Understanding the Threat of Terrorism” is both experimental and interactive. Current Museum Chairperson Bernie Karshmer adds, “The three components, or museum branches, reflect the concept of Tikkun Olam -- healing the world, one piece at a time. This is an idea fundamental to Jewish consciousness and the way the museum is works If we can be reflective of a greater effort, like a ripple in a pond, and reach a wider audience, we will have done our job.”

The Museum’s main campus, located at 400 South Kearney Street in Denver, provides programming and family events, including children’s camps during school vacations. Classes ranging from mask making to cooking, art, dance and crafts are open to children of all faith and backgrounds. Each year a fundraising dinner gathers some 1800 people under one roof to recognize an individual whose life and work supports the Museum’s goals. Past honorees of the prestigious Community Cultural Enrichment Award have included Colorado Governor Bill Owens, University of Denver Chancellor Dan Ritchie, Peter Coors, and last year’s recipient, Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper. The 2008 honoree, Mr. Norman Brownstein, is not only a world-class lawyer, he’s intensely involved in improving life in Denver and the world – in health, the arts and in helping humanity. He joins a distinguished group chosen for their outstanding vision and leadership.

“As the Mizel museum goes forward,” says Executive Director Ellen Premack, “we’re serving an ever larger role in the community and gaining a more visible presence. Through cutting edge exhibitions, significant educational programs, the Colorado Jewish Artists Guild, and participants at-large who can learn about Jewish culture and their own humanness, the Mizel Museum will continue to open minds, change attitudes, and discover paths that tie our world together through respect and understanding.”