American Jewish Committee Dedicates Antiquities Collection

American Jewish Committee
Monday, 29 June 1998

The American Jewish Committee today unveiled and dedicated a collection of Israel-related antiquities, donated to AJC as the agency's Manhattan headquarters continues to undergo a major facelift.

The dedication took place during AJC's National Board of Governors Meeting.

The collection of 26 ancient artifacts, encased in a special glass exhibition space, was donated by Stephen and Judith Beiner of Boca Raton, Florida. A partner in the law firm of Beiner & Nussbaum, P.A., Mr. Beiner sits on AJC's Board of Governors. The Beiners have been active and involved members of AJC for eight years, about as long as they have been collecting. Since then, they have amassed a personal collection of close to 500 pieces from Israel, and more recently, from the classical civilizations of Rome and Greece.

Among the items on display are a Cypriot Terracotta Horse and Rider which dates back to the 8th century B.C.E., and terracotta juglets that date back to the 5th century B.C.E. The horse and rider figurine was found in southern Israel, but was made in Cyprus and brought to the region during Iron Age II when trade relations flourished between the two countries. The juglets were also made in Cyprus. Both items were purchased by the Beiners from the private collection of Teddy Kollek, former mayor of Jerusalem.

In a second showcase are various gods that were worshipped by the surrounding populations at the time. Elamite, Mesopotamian and Canaanite gods made of metal, copper and bronze are from the period dating 1200 - 800 B.C.E. The Elamite warrior god and the Mesopotamian warrior god were worshipped to bring the people strength and victory in war. The Mesopotamian fertility god seeks good crops and abundant livestock. The Canaanite figure is typical of those worshipped by the inhabitants of the region with whom Joshua and the early Israelite kings did battle. Syro-Hittite Terracotta gods were widely worshipped as household gods by Hittites, located north of Israel, in what today is Lebanon and Syria. These statuettes, from 2750 - 1900 B.C.E. depict women wearing jewelry and headdresses. They were buried under houses and probably represent their owner's hopes for fertility; some scholars suggest that these figurines also served as dolls.

In describing their love of collecting and why they chose to donate pieces to AJC, the Beiners said: "Each purchase sends us to the Bible and to the history books so that we can research the period and specifically what was happening to the Jewish people at the time this particular artifact was made. Collecting antiquities, especially from the Holy land, allows us to feel part of the continuity that started with our people leaving Egypt and entering what is now

Israel. We see for ourselves the timeline that started 3,000 years ago, and we are able to hold in our hands objects from each of the eras during those 3,000 years. Now, by donating these artifacts to AJC, we have made our connection as Jews to our past, to the present and to our future."

For more information, or to contact American Jewish Committee, see their website at: www.ajc.org