JMM Insights: Up in Space
Jewish astronauts have headed into space in the earliest days of space programs, include Boris Volynov, who flew on Soyuz 5 frm the USSR despite a “do not send Jews into space” directive from the Soviet Central Committee!
Image: (l-r) Russian Cosmonaut Boris Volynov, American Astronaut Judith Resnik, Israeli Astronaut Ilan Ramon. All images courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.
On Thursday, July 23 at 7:00pm, he’s talking How to Be Jewish in Space. How does one observe the Sabbath if, while in orbit, the sun rises and sets every ninety minutes? Is astronaut food kosher? Is it safe to eat matzah in zero-gravity? How DO you observe Jewish traditions in space? Join us as we take on these questions and more.
We hope families will join us to explore the challenges of space travel and what astronauts have chosen to take into orbit to remind them of home. We can’t wait to see what pieces of art kids create to share their own choices about what they would bring to space! Remember – we’ll be including many of these art pieces in the Jews in Space exhibit. More info here.
And, of course, we’ve got some perfectly-themed Wondernauts activities for all ages, including:
*NEW* Active Astronauts
Check out NASA’s Mission X: Train Like an Astronaut program!
Exhibit Sneak Peek!
First All-Women Spacewalk Commemorative Patch designed by Lynn and Tim Gagnon, 2019. Museum purchase. JMM K2020.1.2
A Name to Know:
Maryland-born astronaut Terry Virts shared this photo of himself performing the salute from orbit on the International Space Station as a tribute to actor Leonard Nimoy (who originated the character of Spock). Nimoy died on Friday, Feb. 27, 2015. Boston, Massachusetts, Nimoy’s hometown, can be seen through the window.
ESTHER’S PLACE: ONLINE
Don’t see something you’re interested in at the online shop? Contact Shop Manager Chris Sniezek at csniezek@jewishmuseummd.org and let us know.