CULTURAL CHILD'S PLAY; EXHIBIT OPENS DOOR ON JUDAISM.

Byline: Sonia Giordani Daily News Staff Writer

The Simi Valley Jewish Community Center inaugurated a monthlong children's exhibit Sunday, featuring hands-on activities and creative learning centers for kids to learn more about being Jewish.

Dozens of children were drawn to the costume center, taking turns trying on costumes of Noah's animals, while some of the older kids lingered near a small television set where a video tour of Jerusalem gave them a glimpse of Israel.

``It's a way for the kids to have fun and learn about Judaism at the same time,'' said Renee Kieselbach, who co-chaired the community center's committee to organize the exhibit.

``If you just lecture to them, they don't really learn as much. But if they learn through play, they retain a lot more,'' she said.

Provided by My Jewish Discovery Place Children's Museum in Los Angeles, the displays made their way into Ventura County for the first time Sunday. The exhibit is free and will be at the Simi Valley Jewish Community Center throughout the month of October.

For Debbie Reshew, the opening Sunday gave her a chance to review some of the lessons of Jewish history with her 6-year-old son, Daniel, while introducing her 2-year-old daughter to the displays.

``I feel religion is important and that tradition is even more important,'' said Reshew, who stopped before a doll house-size synagogue with her daughter Hayley.

``I want them to get an appreciation for our culture and the friendships here,'' she said.

Rachael Friedman, 5, stepped into a miniature tiger costume and made a shy growling sound for her mother, Sung Friedman.

``For the most part, being Jewish in this country is a cultural thing. Many people don't have much religious background,'' said Sung Friedman, a Simi Valley resident.

``These exhibits give the kids something they can relate to,'' said Friedman. Friedman said her daughter attends the community center's kindergarten program. She said she hoped the interactive displays would help reaffirm some of the lessons and traditions Rachael has learned at home.

The exhibit will be open Sundays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Wednesdays from 3 to 5 p.m. Additional hours can be arranged for group tours.

For more information, contact the Simi Valley Jewish Community Center, 3050 Kadota St., [phone].

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2 Photos

Photo: (1--Color only in Simi edition) Shawna Katell and her friend Jacky Banks play with a miniature synagogue at the Simi Valley Jewish Community Center on Sunday.

(2--Color only in Simi edition) Jenny Kopczynski, left, gets a big kick out of her brother Joel as he tries on an elephant costume at the exhibit that opened Sunday.

Joe Binoya/Special to the Daily News