August 22, 2008
Enews August 2008
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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SPIELBERG'S FOUNDATION MAKES $1 MILLION GIFT TO THE NEW MUSEUM
Steven Spielberg's Righteous Persons Foundation has awarded the National Museum of American Jewish History $1 million for its Capital Campaign. With the gift, the Capital Campaign has raised nearly $112 million toward its goal of $150 million for the new Museum being built on Independence Mall.
"We are pleased to be able to join a community of donors in making a grant to the Museum," said Rachel Levin, the Foundation's Associate Director. "As a Foundation committed to helping to build a vibrant American Jewish community, we were especially interested in the fact that the Museum tells the particular story of Jewish life in the United States and through that lens, the broader story of America."
"The Board of Trustees is gratified to have the endorsement and imprimatur of the Righteous Persons Foundation," said Gwen Goodman, the Museum's Executive Director/CEO. "The Foundation has recognized that we are creating an institution that will embody the stories, dreams and visions of the entire American Jewish community." The Righteous Persons Foundation is dedicated to supporting efforts that build a diverse and vibrant Jewish community in the United States.
Having been deeply moved by the experience of directing the film Schindler's List, Steven Spielberg decided to donate his portion of the film's profits to help support a flourishing and vibrant Jewish community. He consequently established the Righteous Persons Foundation in the fall of 1994 and continues to designate targeted film profits to the Foundation. The gift to the Museum is one of the largest in the Foundation's history.
"We are delighted that Steven Spielberg and the Righteous Persons Foundation support our vision for the National Museum of American Jewish History," said George M. Ross, the Museum's Co-Chairman with Ronald Rubin and its Capital Campaign Chairman. "It's gratifying to have the support of one of the leading creative minds in the country. His gift is further demonstration of our national campaign and we are certain it will inspire more support across the country."
MUSEUM TAKES CONSTRUCTION TO ANOTHER LEVEL
The outline of the auditorium is taking shape for the new National Museum of American Jewish History being constructed on Independence Mall. The concrete perimeter wall of the lower level where the auditorium (pictured below) will be located has been installed as well.
The auditorium, a multipurpose venue equipped for films, theater and concerts, was funded by a $5 million gift from Dr. Alexander and Lorraine Dell and the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation. The theater will seat approximately 200 people, including seats for those with disabilities. The auditorium, part of the Museum's education center located in the building's lower level concourse, will be home to a mix of programs, all geared toward making the Museum the preeminent national educational and cultural center for the celebration of the American Jewish experience.
In addition to the auditorium and theater, the concourse includes an education center with two classrooms and a resource center. A sliding partition between the classrooms will enable it to be transformed into one large space. The concourse also includes an expansive public area that will be used for programs and special events. Additionally, construction workers and contractors at the site are working on other elements of the 100,000-square-foot building. On the north side of the site at street level the first part of the floor of the 2,500-square-foot Museum Shop (pictured below) is being constructed.
Concrete slabs, or the floors, for the lower level and first floor, are being placed. Concrete walls are being installed as well. Work on the building's electrical and plumbing systems is ongoing and construction of the foundation walls of the Museum continues. The new Museum is scheduled to be completed in fall 2010. For an up-to-date picture of the construction site that refreshes every 15 minutes, view our Museum-Cam.
GIFTS FOR YOUNG CHILDREN NOW AT MUSEUM SHOP
The Museum Shop and online store carry a variety of gifts perfect for celebrating the significant Jewish life cycle event of the baby naming and bris, and for those first birthdays.
This whimsical print (pictured left) of Noah's Ark by Israeli-American artist Mickie Klugman portrays a dove, day & night, and the Hebrew alphabet all surrounded by a quote from Genesis. Animals for each letter of the English alphabet make up the border. The print is available with a variety of different frame and mat choices.
Klugman is an artist and calligrapher who has been specializing in Judaica since 1980. Among the many sources that inspire her delicate watercolor designs are traditional Jewish motifs, Persian and Arabic illumination, contemporary graphics, as well as art nouveau and art deco. Being an avid gardener, she loves to incorporate the beauty of nature into much of her artwork.
This Noah's Ark print is only one of a variety of Child and baby related items being sold at the Museum Shop and its online store. Others include first curl and tooth boxes, rattles, and baby kippot. In addition to prints and other gifts for children, the Museum Shop carries Judaica by a variety of artists. Visit the Museum Shop in person and online 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.
NEW QUESTIONS POSED BY MUSEUM EXHIBIT ON AMERICAN JEWISH ISSUES
There is a clear difference of opinion between two NMAJH visitors in response to the new exhibit question, "Are opportunities for advancement equally available to all ethnic and racial minorities in the U.S.?" One visitor from Farmingham, MA states that the opportunity exists, and that people should make of it what they will despite the unequal access to it because of ethnicity or race. Another visitor from Santa Cruz, CA gives a firm, succinct, "Of course not."
The visitors are among many who are engaged in a lively debate about equal opportunity for all minorities and with other issues posed by the exhibit, "Drawing the Line," part of the Museum's changing exhibition, Shaping Space, Making Meaning. New questions asked in the exhibit are "Is Israel the homeland for all Jews," and "Should religion play a role in American politics."
The exhibition also offers visitors the opportunity to learn how a museum creates a major exhibition and at the same time allows them to offer feedback through interactive experiences to the design team working on the new Museum.
Other interactive elements in the exhibition include touch screens to engage visitors in a conversation about the Museum's major themes of freedom, immigration, and religious tolerance, and a short quiz to help the Museum learn about its audiences' knowledge of American Jewish history. The exhibition design team uses the answers to these questions to give them a sense of the trends that can be discerned.
In addition to the interactive elements, Shaping Space, Making Meaning has design sketches, computer-generated images, video and text that offer an insider's look at the process of developing a landmark exhibition about more than 350 years of American Jewish life. The NMAJH's exhibition design team is in the process of creating the 22,000-square-foot exhibition for the new Museum under construction and scheduled to open in 2010.
MUSEUM OFFERS LISA LOEB CHILDREN'S CD TO SUBSCRIBERS
The Museum and singer-songwriter Lisa Loeb have joined together to offer E-newsletter subscribers copies of her second CD of children's music celebrating the summer camp tradition.
Camp Lisa is a mix of old favorites ("Home on the Range," "Father Abraham") and a collection of original songs. Listeners will also find celebrity cameos from such artists as Nina Gordon, Jill Sobule and Steve Martin, who plays banjo in a song, "The Disappointing Pancake." Camp Lisa is perfect for camp sing-alongs or music making in your own living room.
Loeb has had success with a multi-dimensional career encompassing music, film, television, voice-over work and children's recordings. Her five acclaimed studio CDs include her major label debut, the gold-selling Tails and its follow-up, the Grammy-nominated, Gold-selling Firecracker. Loeb's television credits include an inspired look at finding love on her show No. 1 Single for E!
To receive your free copy of the CD be one of the first six e-newsletter subscribers to email the Museum at nmajh@nmajh.org with your name and address. Please put "Camp Lisa CD" in the subject line. To purchase a copy of Camp Lisa visit Barnes and Noble.
___________________________________
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
___________________________________
SPIELBERG'S FOUNDATION MAKES $1 MILLION GIFT TO THE NEW MUSEUM
Steven Spielberg's Righteous Persons Foundation has awarded the National Museum of American Jewish History $1 million for its Capital Campaign. With the gift, the Capital Campaign has raised nearly $112 million toward its goal of $150 million for the new Museum being built on Independence Mall."We are pleased to be able to join a community of donors in making a grant to the Museum," said Rachel Levin, the Foundation's Associate Director. "As a Foundation committed to helping to build a vibrant American Jewish community, we were especially interested in the fact that the Museum tells the particular story of Jewish life in the United States and through that lens, the broader story of America."
"The Board of Trustees is gratified to have the endorsement and imprimatur of the Righteous Persons Foundation," said Gwen Goodman, the Museum's Executive Director/CEO. "The Foundation has recognized that we are creating an institution that will embody the stories, dreams and visions of the entire American Jewish community." The Righteous Persons Foundation is dedicated to supporting efforts that build a diverse and vibrant Jewish community in the United States.
Having been deeply moved by the experience of directing the film Schindler's List, Steven Spielberg decided to donate his portion of the film's profits to help support a flourishing and vibrant Jewish community. He consequently established the Righteous Persons Foundation in the fall of 1994 and continues to designate targeted film profits to the Foundation. The gift to the Museum is one of the largest in the Foundation's history.
"We are delighted that Steven Spielberg and the Righteous Persons Foundation support our vision for the National Museum of American Jewish History," said George M. Ross, the Museum's Co-Chairman with Ronald Rubin and its Capital Campaign Chairman. "It's gratifying to have the support of one of the leading creative minds in the country. His gift is further demonstration of our national campaign and we are certain it will inspire more support across the country."
MUSEUM TAKES CONSTRUCTION TO ANOTHER LEVEL
The outline of the auditorium is taking shape for the new National Museum of American Jewish History being constructed on Independence Mall. The concrete perimeter wall of the lower level where the auditorium (pictured below) will be located has been installed as well.The auditorium, a multipurpose venue equipped for films, theater and concerts, was funded by a $5 million gift from Dr. Alexander and Lorraine Dell and the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation. The theater will seat approximately 200 people, including seats for those with disabilities. The auditorium, part of the Museum's education center located in the building's lower level concourse, will be home to a mix of programs, all geared toward making the Museum the preeminent national educational and cultural center for the celebration of the American Jewish experience.
In addition to the auditorium and theater, the concourse includes an education center with two classrooms and a resource center. A sliding partition between the classrooms will enable it to be transformed into one large space. The concourse also includes an expansive public area that will be used for programs and special events. Additionally, construction workers and contractors at the site are working on other elements of the 100,000-square-foot building. On the north side of the site at street level the first part of the floor of the 2,500-square-foot Museum Shop (pictured below) is being constructed.Concrete slabs, or the floors, for the lower level and first floor, are being placed. Concrete walls are being installed as well. Work on the building's electrical and plumbing systems is ongoing and construction of the foundation walls of the Museum continues. The new Museum is scheduled to be completed in fall 2010. For an up-to-date picture of the construction site that refreshes every 15 minutes, view our Museum-Cam.
GIFTS FOR YOUNG CHILDREN NOW AT MUSEUM SHOP
This whimsical print (pictured left) of Noah's Ark by Israeli-American artist Mickie Klugman portrays a dove, day & night, and the Hebrew alphabet all surrounded by a quote from Genesis. Animals for each letter of the English alphabet make up the border. The print is available with a variety of different frame and mat choices.
Klugman is an artist and calligrapher who has been specializing in Judaica since 1980. Among the many sources that inspire her delicate watercolor designs are traditional Jewish motifs, Persian and Arabic illumination, contemporary graphics, as well as art nouveau and art deco. Being an avid gardener, she loves to incorporate the beauty of nature into much of her artwork.
This Noah's Ark print is only one of a variety of Child and baby related items being sold at the Museum Shop and its online store. Others include first curl and tooth boxes, rattles, and baby kippot. In addition to prints and other gifts for children, the Museum Shop carries Judaica by a variety of artists. Visit the Museum Shop in person and online 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.
NEW QUESTIONS POSED BY MUSEUM EXHIBIT ON AMERICAN JEWISH ISSUES
There is a clear difference of opinion between two NMAJH visitors in response to the new exhibit question, "Are opportunities for advancement equally available to all ethnic and racial minorities in the U.S.?" One visitor from Farmingham, MA states that the opportunity exists, and that people should make of it what they will despite the unequal access to it because of ethnicity or race. Another visitor from Santa Cruz, CA gives a firm, succinct, "Of course not." The visitors are among many who are engaged in a lively debate about equal opportunity for all minorities and with other issues posed by the exhibit, "Drawing the Line," part of the Museum's changing exhibition, Shaping Space, Making Meaning. New questions asked in the exhibit are "Is Israel the homeland for all Jews," and "Should religion play a role in American politics."
The exhibition also offers visitors the opportunity to learn how a museum creates a major exhibition and at the same time allows them to offer feedback through interactive experiences to the design team working on the new Museum.
Other interactive elements in the exhibition include touch screens to engage visitors in a conversation about the Museum's major themes of freedom, immigration, and religious tolerance, and a short quiz to help the Museum learn about its audiences' knowledge of American Jewish history. The exhibition design team uses the answers to these questions to give them a sense of the trends that can be discerned.
In addition to the interactive elements, Shaping Space, Making Meaning has design sketches, computer-generated images, video and text that offer an insider's look at the process of developing a landmark exhibition about more than 350 years of American Jewish life. The NMAJH's exhibition design team is in the process of creating the 22,000-square-foot exhibition for the new Museum under construction and scheduled to open in 2010.
MUSEUM OFFERS LISA LOEB CHILDREN'S CD TO SUBSCRIBERS
The Museum and singer-songwriter Lisa Loeb have joined together to offer E-newsletter subscribers copies of her second CD of children's music celebrating the summer camp tradition.Camp Lisa is a mix of old favorites ("Home on the Range," "Father Abraham") and a collection of original songs. Listeners will also find celebrity cameos from such artists as Nina Gordon, Jill Sobule and Steve Martin, who plays banjo in a song, "The Disappointing Pancake." Camp Lisa is perfect for camp sing-alongs or music making in your own living room.
Loeb has had success with a multi-dimensional career encompassing music, film, television, voice-over work and children's recordings. Her five acclaimed studio CDs include her major label debut, the gold-selling Tails and its follow-up, the Grammy-nominated, Gold-selling Firecracker. Loeb's television credits include an inspired look at finding love on her show No. 1 Single for E!
To receive your free copy of the CD be one of the first six e-newsletter subscribers to email the Museum at nmajh@nmajh.org with your name and address. Please put "Camp Lisa CD" in the subject line. To purchase a copy of Camp Lisa visit Barnes and Noble.
___________________________________
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 @ 8/22/2008 
