There's a new reason to go to the suburbs of Cleveland - Beachwood, Ohio to be exact.

Museum Blends History of Jews With U.S.

Constructed of Jerusalem limestone quarried in Israel, the exterior of the Maltz Museum was crafted to resemble the texture of ancient city walls. The architects set the $15 million museum low into the ground to give the feeling that it's an excavated artifact.

But its sleek lines have a contemporary feel. Inside its glass doors, visitors are taken on a journey with Jews who immigrated to the United States and settled in Cleveland, beginning in 1839.

The first artifact sets the tone for the rest of the journey. Next to a mural of immigrants arriving in America is an ethical will called the Alsbacher Document. Written by Lazarus Kohn, a teacher in Unsleben, Bavaria, it tells the travelers not to forget their Jewish heritage as they enjoy America's freedoms.

Headphones and a touch-display allow the visitor to experience the journey from Bavaria to the United States and make important decisions along the way. Do you continue even though you have little money? Who do you trust when you arrive in America? Should you marry soon after arriving?

The cultural contributions of Jewish immigrants are on display as well. A larger-than-life Superman bursts through the museum's brick wall over an exhibit about Joe Shuster and Jerry Siegel, who dreamed up Superman while at Glenville High School.

Very cool.

Here's the link to the museum itself - Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage