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All the United States New York State New York City Brooklyn Torah Animal World

Torah Animal World

Every animal in the torah taxidermied and crammed into a Brooklyn townhouse.

Brooklyn, New York

Added By
Eric Grundhauser
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Torah Animal World   Torah Animal World
Torah Animal World   Torah Animal World
The Brooklyn location.   Matt Green on Flickr
Torah Animal World   Torah Animal World
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About

Filling an unassuming Brooklyn townhouse is a kind of still life Noah's ark. Established in 2008 by a Brooklyn rabbi, the Torah Animal World museum endeavors to present every beast, great and small named in the Old Testament and the Talmud, albeit in taxidermied form.

The idea is that visitors to museum, be they Jewish or Gentile, can get a sense of the living reality of the sacred texts through the animals named in the books. One of two locations, NY and Lakewood, NJ, the flagship location is contained in a simple Brooklyn row house, and is full to bursting with much-handled creatures. It was important to the rabbi that visitors be able touch the animals so as to better experience their meaningful nature.

Hundreds of posed animals are housed within the museums and camels, lions, giraffe, and bears all figure among its holy menagerie. There are also special exhibitions on display such as the "Birds of the Torah," which contains an example of each of the 24 birds mentioned in the book, and a collection of "Sheratzim," or insects. Each display is accompanied by a plaque describing the creature's presence in the holy book and its significance. Animals considered kosher and those considered non-kosher are on display, with the one admitted omission being the pig, as many of the museum's more religious visitors would rather not even look at the beast.

Despite an annual attendance of almost 35,000 the Torah Animal World in Borough Park, Brooklyn was close to closing in 2013 due to lack of funds. However funds were raised, the museum was saved, and has continued on its Brooklyn location.

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Taxidermy Museums And Collections Museums

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By Train: Take the F train to Ditmas Ave or 18th Ave., walk a few blocks to the Museum, we are located in the corner of 16th Ave. and 41St. street. Open daily Sunday - Thursday from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm By appointment only. Call 877-752-6286 to schedule an appointment. Friday Erev Shabbos: Until 1 hour before the Zman Motzei Shabbos: from 1 hour after the zman until midnight

Community Contributors

Added By

EricGrundhauser

Edited By

Rachel, Sydney Rose, ymach15

  • Rachel
  • Sydney Rose
  • ymach15

Published

January 8, 2014

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  • http://untappedcities.com/tag/torah-animal-world/
  • http://www.haaretz.com/jewish-world/jewish-world-news/1.566070
  • http://nypost.com/2013/12/29/brooklyn-torah-animal-world-flat-broke-will-close/
Torah Animal World
1605 41 Street
Brooklyn, New York, 11219
United States
40.635511, -73.980457
Visit Website
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