Groundbreaking is Nigh

Groundbreaking for the new Museum is scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 30, at 11 a.m at 5th and Market streets on Independence Mall. The public is invited to this event, which will be a historic one for Jews locally and across America, and for the Greater Philadelphia region.

The public is invited so if you're in the area, or are thinking about visiting, come by.


I'll be writing more about the groundbreaking as it approaches, and afterward, but this will be the only time I will use the word "nigh." That's my guarantee.

The fantastic Save the Date card, by the way, was done by Debbie Schafer, a good friend of the Museum.

Nice Views, Huh?

Sorry for the delay between my last post and now, but Jewish, etc. has been very busy preparing for the demolition of the structure at our new site at 5th and Market streets on Independence Mall. First, we had to install a fence around the building we are tearing down. Then, there was gutting of the interior. Scaffolding had to be erected.

Then, and only then, could we proceed with the actual knocking down of the structure.

Now, when I say "we," I mean the great folks at Becker & Frondorf, the Museum's project managers, and at Intech Construction, the contractor. They did all that labor. Me, I had to prepare a couple of press releases. Which isn't to say I didn't have to sweat a split infinitive or two.

The guys at Intech are working really hard to raze the building.

They first have to take down the paparpet on the roof, and then the building will be taken down incrementally, floor-by-floor. Demolition is expected to be completed for the fall. Our ceremonial groundbreaking is scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 30, at 11 a.m. More details on that later.

From the roof, you can see Independence Hall and imagine how spectacular the view will be once the Museum is completed and you won't have to crane your neck for a glimpse.

From the third floor, you can get a better sense of what the view will be like.

This view is looking southwest on Independence Mall; the long, horizontal structure is the Liberty Bell Center. To the south, partially in frame, is the west wing of Independence Hall.


This photograph shows the northern end of the Liberty Bell Center and the excavation of the President's House. The city recently excavated the long-buried President's House, which served as George Washington's and John Adams' residence, and included quarters Washington built to house the enslaved Africans he brought to Philadelphia upon assuming the presidency. The city is planning an installation to commemorate the house and its residents.

This is the Independence Visitor Center, and on the next block north is the National Constitution Center, which I could not get a picture of.

Following my journey to the construction site there are two things I can state with certainty: One, the view, to reiterate, will be tremendous. Two, I look ridiculous in a hard hat.