To be frank, I found the Bezalel slideshow to be uninteresting.  I simply could not seem to relate the information and images presented in the lecture with anything in my life, and my main thought was how much more fascinating it will be when the actual exhibit opens.  Three-dimensional Torah Crowns must be more exciting than two-dimensional Torah Crowns.  Having a clearer understanding of the symbolic purpose of the Jewish pieces just might capture my attention as well.
        One problem I had with the slideshow was that I could not distinguish the physical size of each object.  For instance, how many etrogs fit in an Etrog Container?  What the heck is an etrog, anyway?  (I dimly remember something about a citrus fruit.)  The lecture was hard to relate to because the material is Greek (well, Jewish) to me.
        After the slideshow, I read the pamphlet on the history of the Bezalel School and the spread of the Arts and Crafts movement across Western Europe and the U.S. in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.  This created a context for helping me to understand the shift from traditional to contemporary styles of Jewish art after Hitler’s rise to power.  The Jews created a style that, though still unique to their religion and culture, reflects the lifestyle of modern Jewish Europeans.  In this way, modern Jews can keep with the times as well as preserve the traditions of old.  This form is both symbolic and functional, and it is intended to be affordable to the public.

        I found the Bezalel exhibit to be quite enjoyable, and I now feel a much stronger appreciation for Jewish art.  Each piece was skillfully crafted--my favorite was the small scroll of Esther with the silver turret-shaped case.  The Torah pointers, tiles, and Hanukkah lamps were equally attractive.  Though I prefered the traditional style over the contemporary, all of the art was appealing to look at.  In the future, I would like to broaden my knowledge about Jewish practices and customs by learning more about the history, purposes, and symbolism behind each type of object.  I did, however, learn that the etrog is a key symbol during the fall harvest festival called Sukkot.  All in all, I was impressed with the variety and beauty of the pieces on display, and I learned a good deal about Jewish culture through this exhibit.