NMAJH E-newsletter
December 20, 2007
Enews December 2007
Greeetings!
Welcome to the electronic newsletter of the National Museum of American Jewish History. This newsletter is designed to keep you informed of exhibitions, programs and other activities of the NMAJH, the only Museum in the country exclusively presenting educational programs and experiences that preserve, explore and celebrate the history of the Jews in America.
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FUN FOR JEWISH FAMILIES ON CHRISTMAS AT THE MUSEUM
Comic Juggler To Perform at NMAJH Program
Michael Rosman (pictured), whose amazing feats of all-ages comedy have been seen on The Late Show with David Letterman and The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, is returning to the NMAJH to perform at this year's annual "Being Jewish at Christmas" program of family fun. In addition to Rosman, the day includes music, refreshments, puppets and more, on Tuesday, Dec. 25, noon - 4 p.m.
Michael has been performing his eclectic mix of comedy and chatoic klutziness for the past 20 years. He is known for leaving his audience laughing in amazement. Making their debut this year at BJAC are award-winning recording artists, performers, musicians, and educators Peter & Ellen, who specialize in music for young children. Drawing on a rich tradition of musical experiences, they help children and families strengthen their Jewish identities through their lively performance and engaging, participatory shows.
2006 "Best of Philly" Party Entertainer Ken Fink from Wondergy, who fuels curiosity by making science fun and exciting, is returning along with the Mark Segal Puppet Theatre and its zany cast of characters. Refreshments are provided and all children will receive a goodie bag. Tickets to BJAC are $5 per person (children three and under are admitted free.) There is no charge to Museum members. Tickets will be available only at the door. For more information call 215-923-3811. "Being Jewish at Christmas" is made possible by the generous support of the Robert Saligman Jewish Heritage Fund.
IDEAS FOR NEW MUSEUM SKETCHED OUT IN CURRENT EXHIBITION ON VIEW
Once curators have decided on a theme for a section of an exhibition, designers begin to sketch out ideas about how to represent that theme in a physical environment. In the Museum's new temporary exhibition, Shaping Space, Making Meaning, visitors can see some of the ideas, such as the sketch (pictured above) of a summer camp exhibit, being considered for the 22,000-square-foot exhibition being designed for the new Museum.
"The hand-drawn sketches, scale models, and computer-generated renderings in the exhibition offer a portrait of how we are working to create a landmark exhibition about more than 350 years of American Jewish life," said Josh Perelman NMAJH deputy director of programs and museum historian. "The museum experience that we are creating will include captivating stories, original objects, and interactive experiences that will resonate with visitors."
Shaping Space, Making Meaning also provides an opportunity for visitors to offer feedback to the NMAJH design team through interactive experiences.
Shaping Space, Making Meaning's first interactive element uses touch screens to engage visitors in a conversation about the Museum's major themes, which include freedom, immigration, religious tolerance, as well as short quiz to help the Museum learn about its audiences' knowledge of American Jewish history.
The second section of the exhibition gives visitors the chance to help determine the tone with which the museum will speak to its audience. Visitors will be introduced to some of the colorful individuals from the past who will be found in the new exhibition and then asked to read two different versions of text about each person. They will then have the opportunity to vote on which they like best.
Controversial topics are addressed in the third section of the exhibition, "Drawing the Line: A Contemporary Issues Forum." Should American Jewish organizations continue to send millions of dollars to Israel? Is it fair for rabbinical seminaries to refuse to ordain gay and lesbian rabbis? Does intermarriage represent the triumph of American pluralism? These are among the many subjects that will be explored in an interactive presentation that will present information about current issues, ask provocative questions, and allow visitors to respond. Their answers will give the NMAJH's exhibition design team a sense of the opinions among visitors, and if there are certain trends that can be discerned.
MUSEUM SHOP CARRIES BAR AND BAT MITZVAH ITEMS
Plan Now For Upcoming Simchas
While the annual Jewish holidays come and go, bar and bat mizvahs are year round. The Museum Shop carries gifts for both boys and girls for their coming-of-age celebrations including talit clips, kippot, yads, and this glass kiddish cup designed and handcrafted by Steve Resnick.
Steve Resnick is the world's preeminent Judaic glass artist. His work is exhibited in galleries and museums throughout the United States, Europe and Israel. Also featured in the Museum Shop is this sterling silver Star of David necklace adorned with amethyst beads (pictured) by local artist Joan Horn.
For more than 20 years, Joan Horn has been working with metal fabrication and jewelry. Working with unique ideas in line, form and color, she hand fabricates each piece in her home studio located in Elkins Park, Pennsylvania. The Museum Shop carries many of Joan's pieces.
The kiddish cup and necklace featured are only two of a variety of bar and bat mitzvah related items being sold at the Museum Shop and at its online store. The Museum Shop carries Judaica from a variety of artists. Visit the Museum Shop to browse the large assortment of items in all price ranges.
For more information contact Museum Shop Managers, Eva Schlanger, or Elaine Silverman, or call the Museum Shop at 215.923.0262. The Museum Shop is open Mondays-Thursdays 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Fridays 10 a.m.-3 p.m., and Sundays 12 noon - 5 p.m. Proceeds from the Museum Shop support the National Museum of American Jewish History.
THE JEWISH AMERICANS TO AIR IN JAN.
Directed By David Grubin
Emmy-award winning filmmaker David Grubin, who serves as the chief story teller in the development of the core exhibition of the new Museum, is also the producer and director of The Jewish Americans, a film airing on WHYY TV12 and PBS stations across the country on Jan. 9, 16, and 23 beginning at 9 p.m.
The Jewish Americans is a three-part documentary series exploring the opportunities, freedoms, and prosperity that Jews have found in America through the stories of Jews who have participated in major milestones and cultural phases of U.S. history since their arrival in the 17th century.
"Throughout the film there is a recurring theme," filmmaker Grubin said. "With each wave of Jewish immigration, Jews expressed an immense desire to become American while retaining their own identity. Out of this struggle emerged not just a Jewish-American culture, but also the integration of Jewish culture into the larger American landscape."
The Museum will be the repository of all the unedited footage shot by Grubin in the making of The Jewish Americans. Grubin also produced the Museum's campaign video, It's Your Story, highlighting Jewish American achievement and setting forth the vision for the new Museum building.
MUSEUM SPONSORS JUDY TOLL FILM
The quirky self-deprecating Judy Toll is the subject of a film sponsored by the Museum, being shown at the Philadelphia Jewi
sh Film Festival on January 7. Judy Toll: The Funniest Woman You've Never Heard Of is part of the festival's Documentaries and Dialogue series.
Weaving interviews and clips, this feature-length documentary explores the touching and hilarious story of Judy Toll, the always funny, comedian/writer/actress who died five years ago from cancer. Judy rose from a struggling comic in her home town of Philadelphia to an up-and-down Hollywood career while always retaining her honesty and ability to laugh in the face of adversity.
Following the screening will be guest speaker, Gary Toll, Judy's brother, who made the movie.Admission is $10. Seniors and students with ID receive $3 off of the single ticket price. For more information on this or other films in the series call 215.466.3033 or visit the Philadelphia Jewish Film Festival's website.
All films will be shown at the Gershman Y, 401 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia.The Philadelphia Jewish Film Festival screens some of the most acclaimed feature films and documentaries of the year, by some of the finest filmmakers from around the world, including Brazil, Israel, France, Germany, Mexico and the USA. The Museum sponsors festival films that explore the American Jewish experience.
MUSEUM OFFERS BERNSTEIN TICKETS
Leonard Bernstein Festival Takes Place At Kimmel Center
The Museum is joining with the Philadelphia Orchestra to offer discounted tickets to the Bernstein Festival being held from January 10 to February 2 at The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts.
Christoph Eschenbach will conduct the Leonard Bernstein festival as a celebration of the 90th anniversary of the birth of this iconic composer and conductor. Among the festivities will be four weeks of festival concerts each having a different musical program, movie screenings and pre and post-concert discussions and talkbacks.
The Orchestra begins the four-week Bernstein Festival with a concert pairing Tchaikovsky's dramatic Romeo and Juliet with Bernstein's modern-day retelling, West Side Story. The festival continues in week two with Bernstein's Jeremiah, portraying the epic story of the destruction of ancient Jerusalem and ending with a prayerful Hebrew lament. The program goes on to include new work by Jennifer Higdon and concludes with Bernstein's Second Symphony of Robert Schumann.
The third week's concert includes two brand new works created for four Philadelphia-based artist-ensembles: the string trio Time for Three, violinist Jennifer Koh, and the Philadelphia Singers Chorale, together with the Orchestra. The evening concludes with Bernstein's Jeremia.
In the concluding week of the festival, the concert will feature violinist Joshua Bell performing melodies from West Side Story and Samuel Barber's violin concerto often called "the most beautiful American concerto ever written." Philadelphia Orchestra Associate Conductor Rossen Milanov will conclude the evening with Stravinsky's first grand ballet score.
To find out more about the festival and events, visit the Bernstein Festival's page on the Philadelphia Orchestra's website. To claim one of the seven pairs of complimentary tickets to the Bernstein Festival, respond to philadelphia_orchestra@philadelphiaorchestra.org with your name and address and write "Bernstein tickets" in the subject line. The Philadelphia Orchestra website has more information on their 2007-08 season.
___________________________________
On December 26, 1931, the musical comedy Of Thee I Sing opened at the Music Box Theatre in New York City. Written by the Gershwin brothers, George (1898-1937) and Ira (1896-1983), the show became that year the first American musical to win the Pulitzer Prize.
National Museum of American Jewish History
Independence Mall East
55 North 5th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106-2197
Tel: 215.923.3811 Fax: 215.923.0763
www.nmajh.org
Welcome to the electronic newsletter of the National Museum of American Jewish History. This newsletter is designed to keep you informed of exhibitions, programs and other activities of the NMAJH, the only Museum in the country exclusively presenting educational programs and experiences that preserve, explore and celebrate the history of the Jews in America.
___________________________________
FUN FOR JEWISH FAMILIES ON CHRISTMAS AT THE MUSEUM
Comic Juggler To Perform at NMAJH Program
Michael Rosman (pictured), whose amazing feats of all-ages comedy have been seen on The Late Show with David Letterman and The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, is returning to the NMAJH to perform at this year's annual "Being Jewish at Christmas" program of family fun. In addition to Rosman, the day includes music, refreshments, puppets and more, on Tuesday, Dec. 25, noon - 4 p.m.Michael has been performing his eclectic mix of comedy and chatoic klutziness for the past 20 years. He is known for leaving his audience laughing in amazement. Making their debut this year at BJAC are award-winning recording artists, performers, musicians, and educators Peter & Ellen, who specialize in music for young children. Drawing on a rich tradition of musical experiences, they help children and families strengthen their Jewish identities through their lively performance and engaging, participatory shows.
2006 "Best of Philly" Party Entertainer Ken Fink from Wondergy, who fuels curiosity by making science fun and exciting, is returning along with the Mark Segal Puppet Theatre and its zany cast of characters. Refreshments are provided and all children will receive a goodie bag. Tickets to BJAC are $5 per person (children three and under are admitted free.) There is no charge to Museum members. Tickets will be available only at the door. For more information call 215-923-3811. "Being Jewish at Christmas" is made possible by the generous support of the Robert Saligman Jewish Heritage Fund.
IDEAS FOR NEW MUSEUM SKETCHED OUT IN CURRENT EXHIBITION ON VIEW
"The hand-drawn sketches, scale models, and computer-generated renderings in the exhibition offer a portrait of how we are working to create a landmark exhibition about more than 350 years of American Jewish life," said Josh Perelman NMAJH deputy director of programs and museum historian. "The museum experience that we are creating will include captivating stories, original objects, and interactive experiences that will resonate with visitors."
Shaping Space, Making Meaning also provides an opportunity for visitors to offer feedback to the NMAJH design team through interactive experiences.
Shaping Space, Making Meaning's first interactive element uses touch screens to engage visitors in a conversation about the Museum's major themes, which include freedom, immigration, religious tolerance, as well as short quiz to help the Museum learn about its audiences' knowledge of American Jewish history.
The second section of the exhibition gives visitors the chance to help determine the tone with which the museum will speak to its audience. Visitors will be introduced to some of the colorful individuals from the past who will be found in the new exhibition and then asked to read two different versions of text about each person. They will then have the opportunity to vote on which they like best.
Controversial topics are addressed in the third section of the exhibition, "Drawing the Line: A Contemporary Issues Forum." Should American Jewish organizations continue to send millions of dollars to Israel? Is it fair for rabbinical seminaries to refuse to ordain gay and lesbian rabbis? Does intermarriage represent the triumph of American pluralism? These are among the many subjects that will be explored in an interactive presentation that will present information about current issues, ask provocative questions, and allow visitors to respond. Their answers will give the NMAJH's exhibition design team a sense of the opinions among visitors, and if there are certain trends that can be discerned.
MUSEUM SHOP CARRIES BAR AND BAT MITZVAH ITEMS
Plan Now For Upcoming Simchas
While the annual Jewish holidays come and go, bar and bat mizvahs are year round. The Museum Shop carries gifts for both boys and girls for their coming-of-age celebrations including talit clips, kippot, yads, and this glass kiddish cup designed and handcrafted by Steve Resnick.Steve Resnick is the world's preeminent Judaic glass artist. His work is exhibited in galleries and museums throughout the United States, Europe and Israel. Also featured in the Museum Shop is this sterling silver Star of David necklace adorned with amethyst beads (pictured) by local artist Joan Horn.
For more than 20 years, Joan Horn has been working with metal fabrication and jewelry. Working with unique ideas in line, form and color, she hand fabricates each piece in her home studio located in Elkins Park, Pennsylvania. The Museum Shop carries many of Joan's pieces.
The kiddish cup and necklace featured are only two of a variety of bar and bat mitzvah related items being sold at the Museum Shop and at its online store. The Museum Shop carries Judaica from a variety of artists. Visit the Museum Shop to browse the large assortment of items in all price ranges.
For more information contact Museum Shop Managers, Eva Schlanger, or Elaine Silverman, or call the Museum Shop at 215.923.0262. The Museum Shop is open Mondays-Thursdays 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Fridays 10 a.m.-3 p.m., and Sundays 12 noon - 5 p.m. Proceeds from the Museum Shop support the National Museum of American Jewish History.
THE JEWISH AMERICANS TO AIR IN JAN.
Directed By David Grubin
Emmy-award winning filmmaker David Grubin, who serves as the chief story teller in the development of the core exhibition of the new Museum, is also the producer and director of The Jewish Americans, a film airing on WHYY TV12 and PBS stations across the country on Jan. 9, 16, and 23 beginning at 9 p.m.The Jewish Americans is a three-part documentary series exploring the opportunities, freedoms, and prosperity that Jews have found in America through the stories of Jews who have participated in major milestones and cultural phases of U.S. history since their arrival in the 17th century.
"Throughout the film there is a recurring theme," filmmaker Grubin said. "With each wave of Jewish immigration, Jews expressed an immense desire to become American while retaining their own identity. Out of this struggle emerged not just a Jewish-American culture, but also the integration of Jewish culture into the larger American landscape."
The Museum will be the repository of all the unedited footage shot by Grubin in the making of The Jewish Americans. Grubin also produced the Museum's campaign video, It's Your Story, highlighting Jewish American achievement and setting forth the vision for the new Museum building.
MUSEUM SPONSORS JUDY TOLL FILM
The quirky self-deprecating Judy Toll is the subject of a film sponsored by the Museum, being shown at the Philadelphia Jewi
sh Film Festival on January 7. Judy Toll: The Funniest Woman You've Never Heard Of is part of the festival's Documentaries and Dialogue series.Weaving interviews and clips, this feature-length documentary explores the touching and hilarious story of Judy Toll, the always funny, comedian/writer/actress who died five years ago from cancer. Judy rose from a struggling comic in her home town of Philadelphia to an up-and-down Hollywood career while always retaining her honesty and ability to laugh in the face of adversity.
Following the screening will be guest speaker, Gary Toll, Judy's brother, who made the movie.Admission is $10. Seniors and students with ID receive $3 off of the single ticket price. For more information on this or other films in the series call 215.466.3033 or visit the Philadelphia Jewish Film Festival's website.
All films will be shown at the Gershman Y, 401 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia.The Philadelphia Jewish Film Festival screens some of the most acclaimed feature films and documentaries of the year, by some of the finest filmmakers from around the world, including Brazil, Israel, France, Germany, Mexico and the USA. The Museum sponsors festival films that explore the American Jewish experience.
MUSEUM OFFERS BERNSTEIN TICKETS
Leonard Bernstein Festival Takes Place At Kimmel Center
The Museum is joining with the Philadelphia Orchestra to offer discounted tickets to the Bernstein Festival being held from January 10 to February 2 at The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts.
Christoph Eschenbach will conduct the Leonard Bernstein festival as a celebration of the 90th anniversary of the birth of this iconic composer and conductor. Among the festivities will be four weeks of festival concerts each having a different musical program, movie screenings and pre and post-concert discussions and talkbacks.
The Orchestra begins the four-week Bernstein Festival with a concert pairing Tchaikovsky's dramatic Romeo and Juliet with Bernstein's modern-day retelling, West Side Story. The festival continues in week two with Bernstein's Jeremiah, portraying the epic story of the destruction of ancient Jerusalem and ending with a prayerful Hebrew lament. The program goes on to include new work by Jennifer Higdon and concludes with Bernstein's Second Symphony of Robert Schumann.
The third week's concert includes two brand new works created for four Philadelphia-based artist-ensembles: the string trio Time for Three, violinist Jennifer Koh, and the Philadelphia Singers Chorale, together with the Orchestra. The evening concludes with Bernstein's Jeremia.
In the concluding week of the festival, the concert will feature violinist Joshua Bell performing melodies from West Side Story and Samuel Barber's violin concerto often called "the most beautiful American concerto ever written." Philadelphia Orchestra Associate Conductor Rossen Milanov will conclude the evening with Stravinsky's first grand ballet score.
To find out more about the festival and events, visit the Bernstein Festival's page on the Philadelphia Orchestra's website. To claim one of the seven pairs of complimentary tickets to the Bernstein Festival, respond to philadelphia_orchestra@philadelphiaorchestra.org with your name and address and write "Bernstein tickets" in the subject line. The Philadelphia Orchestra website has more information on their 2007-08 season.
___________________________________
On December 26, 1931, the musical comedy Of Thee I Sing opened at the Music Box Theatre in New York City. Written by the Gershwin brothers, George (1898-1937) and Ira (1896-1983), the show became that year the first American musical to win the Pulitzer Prize.
National Museum of American Jewish History
Independence Mall East
55 North 5th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106-2197
Tel: 215.923.3811 Fax: 215.923.0763
www.nmajh.org
posted by nmajh @ 12/20/2007 
