In a world of shrinking attention spans and easy misinformation, teaching Tanakh and Jewish history is harder than ever. Students scroll past. They tune out. They don’t see why it matters.
But when they stand in front of a 2,700-year-old Assyrian relief and realize it depicts the same empire that exiled the Ten Tribes — something shifts. Suddenly the text isn’t abstract. It’s real.
That’s what I do.
I’m Nachliel Selavan, “The Museum Guy.” For the past ten years, I’ve guided thousands of students through the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Israel Museum, the Bible Lands Museum, and dozens of other collections worldwide. I use artifacts, maps, archaeology, and storytelling to help students see Jewish history as part of the larger human story — and to understand Tanakh more deeply because of it.
The Rosenthal-Levy Scholars at the Met, 2025
“My students at first were not keen on the idea of a tour and really just wanted to hang out in NYC. Nachliel was able to engage them so well that they enjoyed the tour and learned so much from the experience that it built vast discussion over Shabbat over what we had seen and its relevance to Tanach.”
Rabbi James Williams
Youth Director, Young Israel of Hollywood & Fort Lauderdale
When I saw that Nachliel was coming to NY for a week, I knew I had to grab a slot for my middle schoolers to visit the Met with him! …Nachliel really brought the temples, the statues, the heiroglyphics, etc. to life for my students – and for the rest of the unit learning that we did in class, they kept referring back to things he said at the museum. Highly recommend for school groups (and really for everyone!).
Ms. Yafit Fischbach, MSED
Humanitied Director, The SAM School, New York
At Naaleh High School, 2025
Recently featured in The Jewish Link on November 26, 2025, four programs in two schools:
Bruriah Welcomes ‘The Museum Guy’ for Dynamic Look Into History
Naaleh Hosts Nachliel Selavan
Read more reviews of New Jersey School visits: December 26, 2024 | December 22, 2022 | December 30, 2021 | January 16, 2020
Can’t get to a museum? I’ll come to you.
I offer in-school presentations and live virtual programs that bring the same approach into your classroom — no bus required. Using primary sources, archaeological images, and interactive tools like Google Earth, I tailor each session to your curriculum and grade level.
Programs
A guided museum experience designed for your students — connecting artifacts to Tanakh, Jewish history, and the ancient world.
What’s included:
Custom focus based on your curriculum (Chumash, Navi, Jewish history periods)
90-120 minute guided tour (up to 30-35 students per group)
Pre-visit materials for teachers
Consultation to tailor the program to you. Assistence with booking with the museum, if necessary.
Pricing:
| Location | Cost | Notes |
| The Metropolitan Museum of Art | $600 per group | Admission free for NYC schools |
| Israel Museum | ₪1,500 + 18% VAT (~$550) | Admission not included; group rates available |
| Bible Lands Museum | ₪1,500 + 18% VAT (~$550) | Admission not included; group rates available |
For other museums or multiple bookings, contact me for custom pricing.
I come to your school with a ready-to-go presentation — visual, interactive, and built to fit your schedule.
Topics include:
Custom topics aligned to your curriculum
“Age of Empires” — Assyria, Babylon, Persia and their role in Tanakh
“Avraham’s Journey” — Mesopotamia, archaeology, and the Avot
“Greece & the Maccabees” — Hellenism, Chanukah, and cultural conflict
Details:
- 45-60 minute sessions
- Grades 3-12 (content adjusted by level)
- Multiple sessions available in a single visit
Pricing:
- Single session: $600
- Multiple sessions (same day): Discounted — contact me for details
Live, interactive sessions via Zoom — ideal for classrooms, grade-wide programs, or teacher professional development.
For students: The same content I deliver in person — adapted for screen with live Google Earth tours, artifact close-ups, and Q&A.
For teachers: Enrichment sessions on Jewish history and Tanakh, plus practical tools you can bring into your own teaching.
Scheduling: Available during Israeli daytime hours (8am–8pm Israel / early morning US). Evening or early-morning sessions available at adjusted rate.
Pricing:
Multiple sessions: Discounted — contact me
Standard session: $350
Off-hours session: $450
Schools and Institutions I’ve Worked With
The Ramaz School • Yeshiva of Flatbush High School • Levy-Rosenthal Scholars • The Tikva Fund • Chidon haTanach – Jewish Agency for Israel • The Jewish Agency for Israel • Barkai Yeshivah • Bruriah High for Girls • Epstein Hebrew Academy, S, Louis • Magen David Yeshivah High School • Magen David Elementary School • Manhattan Day School • Naaleh High School for Girls • Rae Kushner Yeshiva High School • The SAM School • Harkham Hillel Hebrew Academy, LA • Hillel Deal Elementary School • YBH Passaic • COJECO • iMishpacha • Kemp Mill Montessori School – Kehillat Montessori • SCY High School • San Diego Hebrew Day • Torah Day School Atlanta • MASKIT • Torah High School of San Diego • Yeshiva Girls School, PA • Bnos Leah Beis Yaakov • Hadar Beis Yaakov • Vacation Village Day Camp
Contact Form
Ready to bring history to life for your students? Tell me about your school and what you’re looking for.