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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1. BUILDING FOUNDATION TO BE COMPLETED BY JULY

The foundation is in place for the pre-eminent museum exploring American Jewish history. Work continues on the core exhibition, education programs are being developed and fundraising continues, with more than $108 raised toward the Capital Campaign goal of $150 million.

The literal foundation for the new Museum is on track as well. Foundations for the five-story building being constructed on Independence Mall are being poured and will be finished in July. The foundations are being put in following excavation and shoring of the site. In the fall steel will be erected on the site and approximately a year later the building envelope will be enclosed.

The Museum is constructing a new 100,000-square-foot building on Independence Mall that will stand directly accross from the Liberty Bell, two blocks south of the National Constitution Center, and one block north of the birthplace of American liberty, Independence Hall.



For more information on the new Museum contact Irv at 215.923.3811 ex 133.

Photo by Ilana Blumenthal.



2. WEDDING MEZUZAH FOR SALE ONLINE
Mezuzah Hold Glass Shards

The breaking of the glass under the chuppah is one of the most memorable moments at a Jewish wedding. Now, the memories of that moment can be retained, along with the glass shards, in this beautiful mezuzah carried by the Museum Shop. The mezuzah's white glass is sandblasted and kiln fired and blue silvercoat mirror has been added to the back for the letters to appear in the same vibrant blue.The wedding shards are placed in the Plexiglass casing.

The mezuzah, designed and handcrafted as part of artist Susan Fullenbaum's Ahava collection can be found in the Museum Shop's online store. Fullenbaum's current work focuses on themes taken from Jewish life and her own developing awareness of Jewish tradition. She creates handcrafted stained glass art commemorating joyous life cycle events, illustrating Jewish customs, or to be used in ceremonial life, much of it available in the Museum Shop.

Susan's art is represented in juried art shows and exhibitions nationwide and her commissioned art pieces are displayed internationally in galleries, synagogues, and private homes. She is a member of Artsites and the American Guild of Judaic Artists.This Mezuzah is one of a variety of wedding related items for being sold at the Museum Shop.

The Museum Shop carries Judaica from artists all over the country. 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.


3. IDENTITY PROGRAM HELD FOR JEWISH AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH
Panel Discussion Held at Museum

When Andre Key was asked if he felt more African-American or more Jewish, he replied, "I'm just simply both." Key, a graduate fellow at the Institute for the Study of Race and Social Thought and Center for Afro-Jewish Studies at Temple University continued, "We, as black Jews, don't want to be known as black Jews vs. "normal" Jews, so instead we call ourselves Israelites or Hebrews."

Key's remarks came during a provocative panel discussion on Jewish identity held recently at the Museum. "Jewish Peoplehood in the 21st Century and Beyond" was held in conjunction with the Museum's current changing exhibition "Shaping Space, Making Meaning" and Jewish American Heritage Month.

Over the course of the evening panelists, who came from different cultural backgrounds, also addressed the personal and communal challenges, that they faced as multicultural Jews and as Jewish Americans. The program was created as a way to facilitate conversation surrounding the ethnic diversity of Jews in America today. This issue of contemporary Jewish life is addressed throughout the "Shaping Space, Making Meaning" exhibition by asking visitors hotly debated questions such as, "Are Jews White?"

Much like Key, Hannah Lau, a rising senior at the University of Pennsylvania and a curatorial intern at NMAJH is a product of two backgrounds. When she spoke of her Chinese father and Jewish mother, she noted that she had never been conflicted about her own "experience as a 'Jewsian'. Jewish and Chinese cultural values are pretty similar." She went on to say, however, that "the only part that used to trouble me is the sense that I was never Jewish enough and never Chinese enough to really count."

Lau added that she feels children of intermarried families, particularly ones who do not "look Jewish" do not ultimately feel less Jewish. "It just may take them a little longer to understand what that really means. I've never had someone tell me to my face that I'm not Jewish." In response to the experiences related by the panelists, an audience member asked during a question-and-answer session following the panel discussion, "Given that we can be culturally different, what would you say is the core of Judaism, what is the one defining core piece of this religion that all Jews should embrace? What is the common thread?"

"The story we accept of ourselves. That is the thread. Sinai, the covenant, the Diaspora. The history we relate to keeps the community as a community," responded panelist Rabbi Jon Konheim, of Beth Am Synagogue in Baltimore, MD. The program's moderator, Dr. Rebecca T. Alpert, an associate professor of religion and women's studies at Temple University, agreed with Rabbi Konheim, but added that while a common narrative is in fact the core of the Jewish people, Jews do not have to all believe the story to be a religious one. It can just be thought of as the history of the Jewish people.

Rabbi Konheim, who leads the Conservative synagogue described as urban and egalitarian, concluded by saying, "The acceptance [of all types of Jews] has been good. It's a "bend over backwards" acceptance at my congregation. The challenge for us in the Conservative movement is to create a Judaism that is distinct, but not ethnic. I think it's so wonderful to look at the younger generation and see where I've come from. How times have changed. When I was young, Ashkenazis stayed in one group. In this generation Jews all mix together." Following the discussion, audience members were divided into groups to further discuss issues presented during the program.


4. NMAJH RECEIVES COLLECTIONS ASSESSMENT GRANT

A guest conservator will spend two days at the Museum in July evaluating current artifact collections care, thanks to a recently awarded $3,000 grant from Heritage Preservation, formerly the National Institute for Conservation. The conservator will examine storage methods and conditions as well as policies and procedures related to the Museum's collection of approximately 20,000 artifacts. The assessment will include a look at the Museum's security and climate control systems.

The assessment will be a collection-wide survey. Conservators have conducted more limited surveys of paper and textile artifacts in the collection in past years. After the site visit, the conservator will give the Museum a report enabling the institution to evaluate its current collections care policies, procedures, and environmental conditions. The report will also help the Museum make appropriate improvements for the immediate, mid-range, and long-range care of its collections.


The Museum is one of 2,500 that have been chosen to participate in Heritage Preservation's Conservation Assessment Program since its creation in 1990. Heritage Preservation's President Lawrence L. Reger, praised NMAJH for "making the vital work of caring for the collections and sites a priority and helping ensure that they are available to present and future generations." Heritage Preservation's Collections Assessment Program is supported through a cooperative agreement with the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Heritage Preservation is the national organization dedicated to preserving our nation's heritage. Its members include museums, libraries, archives, historic preservation organizations, historical societies, conservation organizations, individual professionals, and other groups concerned with saving the past for the future. To learn more about Heritage Preservation, please visit www.heritagepreservation.org.

The Institute of Museum and Library Services' mission is to grow and sustain a "Nation of Learners". Through its grant making, convening, research and publications, the Institute empowers museum and libraries nationwide to provide leadership and services to enhance learning in families and communities, sustain cultural heritage, build 21st century skills, and provide opportunities for civic participation. To learn more about the Institute, please visit www.imls.gov.


5. BOOK OFFER IN CONJUNCTION WITH SHAPING SPACE, MAKING MEANING