College and University Group Reservations

Workshop: Field Notes
Explore the work of archaeologists who have uncovered remnants of ancient Israel. Discover how archaeology illuminates Jewish culture and neighboring cities during biblical times, and how it contributes to our understanding of the period. This workshop includes a detailed look at the tools and methods archaeologists use to document, preserve, and analyze artifacts—featuring examples from The People of the Land: History and Archaeology of Ancient Israel, our long-term gallery from the Israel Antiquities Authority.

Workshop: Mosaic Design
Create your own mosaic inspired by stunning classical-era artworks from ancient Israel. This workshop highlights artistic motifs and inscriptions found in synagogues and churches. Participants may choose from prepared templates or design their own custom mosaic to take home.

Workshop: Paint and Learn
Join a guided painting session and recreate scenic landscapes from the imaginative worlds of C. S. Lewis, including The Chronicles of Narnia, The Space Trilogy, and more. An instructor will provide step-by-step instruction as you bring Lewis’s literary visions to life through art.

Workshop: Medieval Manuscripts
C. S. Lewis was a noted medievalist whose fiction was deeply shaped by medieval literature. In this workshop, explore some of the authors and texts that inspired Lewis’s scholarly and creative legacy. Then, create your own illuminated book cover using traditional techniques and symbolic designs.

Workshop: From Tablet-to-Tablet: The History of the Hebrew Language
This dynamic workshop is designed to introduce and enrich your experience of the Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit. This session offers a compelling journey through the rich and complex evolution of the Hebrew language, tracing its development from ancient inscriptions on stone tablets to the modern script used in Israel today. Participants will explore a detailed timeline that highlights the major historical phases of Hebrew, providing essential context to better understand the linguistic world in which the Dead Sea Scrolls were created.

Workshop: Map It! Exploring Qumran and the Dead Sea
Follow along with an instructor to explore the geography of Qumran and the Dead Sea region. Answer questions such as: Where were the scrolls discovered? How did they survive for so long? How did ancient communities adapt to the desert climate? Participants will create a custom map of the region as part of the workshop.

Workshop: Religious Freedom and the Founding of America
Examine the story of religious freedom in America, from colonial settlement through the passing of the US Constitution. Explore topics related to religious tolerance and pluralism to understand the origins of religious freedom in the United States. 

Workshop: The Bible and the Black Church (coming spring 2026)
This future program will explore the influence of the Bible on the development of the Black Church in America, highlighting themes of liberation, resilience, and community leadership.

Workshop: If I Had a Hammer
A hammer wasn’t the only tool Martin Luther used to spark the Protestant Reformation! In this interactive session, participants will choose two out of six symbolic “tools” to explore their impact on the Reformation. Through guided analysis and artifact exploration, participants will assess how the absence of one or more tools might have altered the course of history. This workshop includes a curator-led discussion of key objects on display on the History of the Bible floor.