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Susan R. Eisenstein: Nachliel Selavan is “The Museum Guy”

Nachliel Selavan grew up in the Old City of Jerusalem, during the late 80’s and early 90’s, in a neighbourhood steeped in history and archaeology. Nachliel’s father, Barnea, is a tour guide and rabbi, who later became an archaeologist, so it was only natural that history and ancient sites were part of Nachliel Selavan’s everyday life. And so too, it certainly seems that destiny was conspiring to lead Nachliel to become who he is today, “The Museum Guy.”

“Climbing on old walls, exploring rooftops, and unearthing pottery was second nature to me, instilling a deep appreciation for the past,” Nachliel said. “As I grew older, I combined my love for Tanach (the Hebrew Bible) and Jewish history with my background in biblical studies and communications. My early teaching experiences in Israel and later in New York and New Jersey allowed me to bring that excitement into the classroom. But it wasn’t until 2015, when I organized a Jewish history tour at the Metropolitan Museum of Art for my students, that it became clear that my passion was best suited for the museum. In essence, that journey—rooted in childhood curiosity and shaped by teaching—evolved into what I now call “The Museum Guy.” It’s a continuous blend of education, archaeology, and storytelling—or better yet, storytelling.”

Bringing his passions, knowledge, creativity, and multi-faceted love for things Jewish to diverse audiences comprised of school groups and educators, families and home schoolers, Nachliel Selavan’s tours are tailored to the specific audience at the time of presentation. Whether it is training educators to bring archaeology into the classroom or leading engaging, interactive family tours that connect multiple generations, Nachliel Selavan’s tours speak to each individual attendee.

“I plan and decide my topics with a blend of creativity and relevance. For instance, I design seasonal tours that align with cultural and historical events, like exploring ancient Egypt during Passover or delving into Greek and Hellenistic influences around Hanukkah. I also integrate contemporary exhibits whenever possible, ensuring that each tour remains fresh and engaging. In addition to these thematic tours, I also explore topics like money, iconography, politics, and social status in the ancient world and their modern parallels. For example, I might discuss the evolution of pictorial communication, from ancient symbols to modern emojis, and weave these themes into both permanent and temporary museum exhibits”.

Continuing, Nachliel said, “When it comes to creating interactive tours, I blend storytelling with engaging props, like my signature rubber ducks, and use artifacts and dynamic museum settings to create memorable, immersive experiences. It’s all about adapting and innovating, ensuring that each tour is both educational and captivating.

Nachliel offers a variety of tours that blend both temporary and permanent exhibitions. “For example,” Nachliel told IsraelSeen, “at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, I created a tour called “Gods of the Nile and Kings of Judah,” which combines an exhibit called Divine Egypt, about Egyptian mythology, with biblical history, offering a comprehensive look at ancient Egypt and its connections to Judah. Another example is the “Fit for the King’s Table” tour at the Israel Museum, taking advantage of an excellent exhibit called The Feast!, focusing on ancient banquets, politics, and society. I also conduct tours like “A Winter’s Tale,” which ties together Hanukkah, Purim, and other winter festivals using the Bible Lands Museum’s collection. In addition, I presented in classrooms, both virtually during COVID and now in person. For instance, I’ve done immersive presentations on Rashi’s life and the context of the Hanukkah miracle for schools across the U.S. and Israel. I’ve guided tours in dozens of museums, including the British Museum and the Pushkin Museum, and I’ve also led virtual tours of archaeological sites worldwide.”

And Nachliel Selavan also told Israel Seen about one of the most special moments that he had during a tour. “At the Met in 2018. I had a diverse group of about 35 participants, ranging from young children to elderly participants, including a reform rabbi and ultra-Orthodox individuals. Despite their differences, we shared deep, meaningful, conversations about Jewish thought and Torah in the museum setting. It was remarkable how the museum environment fostered dialogue and unity, allowing people who might not normally engage with one another to connect on a profound level. This kind of magic has happened many times since then, and it’s always a highlight of my work.”

Currently, Nachliel Selavan says that he would like to get more into the YouTube space. And involvement in the future of AI, digital education and tourism is also on his radar. “I can’t say I have any immediate plan,” Nachliel says. “But a lot of conversations around these topics have been happening for several years. Other than that, I want to continue doing what I do. And to reach more people, to visit more Jewish communities around the world and either bring them to the museum, or bring the museum to them.”

For more information:

www.themuseumguy.co.il

nachliel@museumtours.co.il

On Social Media: Either The Museum Guy Israel or Nachliel Selavan.

Susan Eisenstein is a long time Jewish educator, passionate about creating special innovative activities for her students. A past Bonim B’Yachad Teaching Fellow, JNF Ambassador and a graduate of the Melton School for Jewish Studies, Susan has two Master’s degrees and a Doctorate in Education from Columbia University. In addition to her involvement with the Israel Forever Foundation and Stand With Us, and writing articles for both organizations, some of which have been used in Israeli schools, as learning activities, Susan is a Staff Writer for The Jewish Link Newspaper. Susan is a past mentor to adult students for Project Inspire and Aish Academy. Susan has taught English to Israelis for Skilled Volunteers For Israel. She holds New York State and New York City teaching licenses, k-12 and in music and music education. Susan is a published author in professional journals for music and music therapy. Her passion is in Judaic studies and the Hebrew language and involving every student in a meaningful adventure of learning: “Israel is my heart and soul and my dream is to help Israel and Israelis in any way that I can.”