On February 3rd, the 9th grade MTA Honors College students visited The Metropolitan Museum of Art. The students enjoyed learning about the fundamental juxtapositions between the Ancient Egyptians and the Biblical Jews who lived in Egypt at that time. With the help of Rabbi Eli Cohen and Mr. Adam Dobrick, the trip to the museum emphasized to students the importance of knowing how their daily lives, which are affected by their Jewish history, relate to ancient history. For example, the trip helped the students understand that as Jews they should differ from the Egyptian obsession with materialistic things by, instead, allowing spirituality to guide their lives.

In addition to walking several regular sections of the museum, the students were taken on a special guided tour by Ms. Ashira Loike, who brought them to the object conservation department. This taught the students some of the ethics involved in conserving antique artifacts and paintings. Students also had the opportunity to speak with one of the experienced conservationists about the museum’s preservation of various musical instruments and the tools used to make these instruments.

Another highlight of the trip was Mr. Dobrick’s lecture on the painting “The Death of Socrates” by Jacque-Louis David, depicting the death of Socrates as told by Plato in his Phaedo. One of the more profound messages of this painting is that it questions one’s social experiences and challenges one to reflect on the way he or she views his/her life, or rather, “cup.”

Overall, this trip was as memorable and exciting as it was informative. The trip taught students many educational and personal life lessons, and was enjoyed by all members of the 9th grade Honors College.

by Ari Kimmelfeld (’18)