Workshops Encourage Youths to Dig Into Past

The Skirball Cultural Center is offering two workshops over coming weekends that will interest any kid who wants to grow up to be Indiana Jones.

Magic amulets and other ancient objects have frequently been the topic of movies. But young visitors to the Skirball on Sunday and Feb. 1 will have an opportunity to encounter such things for real. They will learn how amulets are made or, by joining in a simulated archeological dig at the center’s museum, get to use the same tools archeologists use.

At this weekend’s Family Art Workshop, Benny Ferdman will teach children and parents the Jewish folk art of creating amulets, or magical charms. The hands-on workshop at 2 p.m. Sunday is part of the Skirball’s “Art Is a Blessing” festival.

“The use of amulets, among both Gentiles and Jews, is an ancient practice still very much alive,” Ferdman explained. “Amulets are intended to guard and protect a person, his family and all his effects from the violence of nature and from sorcery and demons [and] protect travelers and bring good fortune and success.”

The Skirball Center, which is an affiliate of Hebrew Union College in Los Angeles, holds a collection of 300 amulets, mostly from the period of the Jewish Diaspora in Muslim countries, where amulets are also a tradition.

After looking at the collection and other pictures, Ferdman said, participants will create a personal amulet with provided materials.

On Feb. 1, the Skirball will have an archeology dig workshop, the first in a monthly series that runs through June. Outside the center, part of the 125,000-square-foot complex, is a simulated dig site, where parents and kids, 8 and up, can get a sense of what it’s like to discover ancient mysteries beneath the sands of a biblical-era civilization.

Adele Lander Burke, the Skirball’s director of museum education said: “They can pick up a shovel and uncover models of fortifications, a ritual altar and see a wealth of genuine archeological materials.” An indoor exhibit features real objects that were found at digs in Israel.

Kids who don’t want to get so up close and personal with dusty archeology might enjoy a computer game called “Dig It!” Teams of players led by an animated character choose a site, excavate it and analyze their “finds.”

By game’s end, players have an idea of the kinds of artifacts--including mystical objects like amulets--that can be found at sites in Israel. “Dig It!” has been created especially for the museum, and game play is available only on site.

The Skirball’s program is popular among teachers because archeology has been adopted as a way of teaching ancient history and is part of the social-studies curriculum in California schools. The center is booked for class visits for the remainder of the school year, Burke said, and is already taking reservations for the fall.

DETAILS

Family Art Workshop

* WHERE: Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd.

* WHEN: 2 p.m. Sunday.

* HOW MUCH: Workshop is free with $4-$6 museum admission. Children under 12 free.

* CALL: (310) 440-4500.

Archeology Dig Workshop

* WHERE: Skirball Cultural Center.

* WHEN: 1:45 p.m. Feb. 1.

* HOW MUCH: $4 plus museum admission.

* CALL: (310) 440-4647 for reservations.

* FYI: Program continues monthly through June.