Today I decided to head over to check out the Tel Aviv Museum of Art and afterwards head over to the beach and watch the sunset. Although the art at the museum was very nice, God's work significantly trumped any of the artists' pieces.  My review of the Tel Aviv Art Museum follows:

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Overview:

• In terms of size, it is closer to the Guggenheim than the MET. It is large, but can definitely be seen in under 4 hours without rushing. I personally saw everything in about 2.
• Has a broad collection in terms of style (i.e. modern, abstract) and mediums (i.e. sculpture, paintings).
• Includes works from the world's greatest painters -such as Piccasso, Van Gogh, Monet, Pollock, Cezanne, Gaugin, Chagall...

Review:

I can't say I was particularly moved by most of the works there but it may just have been my mood. My personal favorites were the two Van Gogh paintings (The Shepherdess (pictured) and The Spinner). Also, of all the Jackson Pollock's i've seen Earth Worms is up there as one of my favorites - although I really don't like Pollock much. 

The picture I disliked the most was the 16 photos of a guy climbing in and out of two boxes and a picture by Nan Goldin entitled David in My Hallway which was literally a picture of some guy named David standing in a hallway. I have honestly seen better pictures in friends' profile pictures on Facebook. I am pretty sure in all these museums some curator is like "Wouldn't it be funny if we hung up some piece of garbage, like an old shoe, and see whether people like it?" Oh how I despise modern art. 

Another highlight was a room full of miniature rooms by James Ensor which was very interesting and another exhibit of sculptures of heads which would take too much time to explain.

Final Thought: All in all, a fairly impressive art museum, but I think I would rank it near the bottom of major NYC art museums. A plus of the museum is that there is something for everyone, but this means there is no real focus. 

If you are interested in art, then this is, from what I've heard, the cream of the crop when it comes to collections in Israel. It's definitely always nice to see different pieces from the most recognized artists in the world. 

Location:  27 Shaul Hamelech Blvd. Tel Aviv. The following buses drop off in front:  9,18, 28, 70, 90, 111.

Hours Open: Sun. closed. , Mon.. Wed. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. ; Tues., Thurs. 10 a.m.-10 p.m.; Fri. 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; Sat. 10 a.m.-4 p.m

Yesterday I visited the Menachem Begin Museum (at the Menachem Begin Heritage Center). 

The museum, as you guessed it, is about Menachem Begin, the 6th Prime Minister of Israel. The museum is a multi-media tour: A tour guide leads you and ~20 people through a maze of large screens where you see video footage of Begin's life (with some reenactments). There is some original Begin memorabilia such as furniture from his home in Tel Aviv, but not much. 

Pros:

1) Gives an inspiring overview (although with significant bias) of an important Jewish/Israeli figure. 

2) The tour guide forces the tour to move along so that you don't have time to get bored.

3) Learning through video and audio is generally easier than reading for most people. 

4) Knowledgable and friendly tour guide.

Cons:

1) Lack of original memorabilia.

2) The entire museum could really be a video instead. 

3) Tour guide doesn't give much time to read the writing on the walls.

4) Museum is biased in favor of Begin. It would have been more interesting if we could have heard a bit about his opposition.

Overall: The museum is best for someone that wants a general overview of Menachem Begin. If you know nothing about him, this is a good place to get an overview of who he was and what he stood for without having to read a book. If you really want to delve into him though, one biography about him will teach you much more than the museum. (A reading of Wikipedia will give you most of the information you'll get at the museum, but the museum will tell it to you with more feeling.)

I still don't know if any man really deserves an entire museum for himself. I thought the same thing when I visited Rothschild exhibit in the Tel Aviv museum. 

Where: It's near the Inbal Hotel/windmill. Basically go to the fountain with lions near the beginning/end of Emek Refaim and there is a sign to the Begin center. 

Cost: 25 shekel, (20 shekel for students and elderly).

Tips: Order a spot in advance as I had to wait an hour to get a spot on the tour. 

Tours are in several languages including English and Hebrew and they give you headphones to translate the Hebrew videos.