October 02, 2009
Enews October 2009
Designers Take Historic Angle On Walls
Like at any construction site, the unfinished walls appear to be just that: walls. But appearances can be deceiving. When the exhibition designers laid out the plan for the exhibition walls in the new Museum, they specifically designed each floor to have a different layout and feel. Although each floorplan follows a similar visitor circulation pattern, they were carefully designed down to the walls to create specific environments.
"They may now appear to be simply walls," said Dr. Josh Perelman, the Museum's Historian and Deputy Director of Programming, "but like every element of the exhibition we are creating, much thought has gone into them. The walls and the spaces they create reflect the history and events covered on each floor."
For example, the third floor exhibit walls (pictured) are angled and create cramped spaces. The time period covered on this floor is between 1880 and 1945, a time which saw immense population growth and significant challenges both for individuals and for the nation as a whole. In some instances, the spaces echo the overcrowded streets of the urban environment. Similar thought has gone into the other floors, according to Perelman.
The core exhibition is designed to begin on the fourth floor and covers the arrival of Jews in America in 1654 through the period after the Civil War. The second floor covers the post-World War II period through contemporary Jewish life. 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. To see additional photos of the Museum's construction like those above, click here. For information on ways to participate in the Museum's Capital Campaign, contact Irv Hurwitz, the Museum's Director of Institutional Advancement, at 215.923.3811 x133 or via email at ihurwitz@nmajh.org.
Like at any construction site, the unfinished walls appear to be just that: walls. But appearances can be deceiving. When the exhibition designers laid out the plan for the exhibition walls in the new Museum, they specifically designed each floor to have a different layout and feel. Although each floorplan follows a similar visitor circulation pattern, they were carefully designed down to the walls to create specific environments."They may now appear to be simply walls," said Dr. Josh Perelman, the Museum's Historian and Deputy Director of Programming, "but like every element of the exhibition we are creating, much thought has gone into them. The walls and the spaces they create reflect the history and events covered on each floor."
For example, the third floor exhibit walls (pictured) are angled and create cramped spaces. The time period covered on this floor is between 1880 and 1945, a time which saw immense population growth and significant challenges both for individuals and for the nation as a whole. In some instances, the spaces echo the overcrowded streets of the urban environment. Similar thought has gone into the other floors, according to Perelman.
The core exhibition is designed to begin on the fourth floor and covers the arrival of Jews in America in 1654 through the period after the Civil War. The second floor covers the post-World War II period through contemporary Jewish life. 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. To see additional photos of the Museum's construction like those above, click here. For information on ways to participate in the Museum's Capital Campaign, contact Irv Hurwitz, the Museum's Director of Institutional Advancement, at 215.923.3811 x133 or via email at ihurwitz@nmajh.org.
Founding Memberships Now Available
Join more than 1,300 people who have recently become a Founding Member of the National Museum of American Jewish History.
Founding Members of the new Museum are supporting what will be an iconic institution on Independence Mall as well as a leading national education and cultural center. The Museum will include unique exhibitions, lecture series and films, as well as online initiatives, distance learning and outreach programs for students of all ages across the country.
Founding Memberships are valid for 18 months, allowing participants to be a part of the opening celebrations and to visit the NMAJH whenever they choose throughout the membership term. Founding Members' names will also be permanently listed in the Museum along with other Jewish Americans who have played important roles in shaping the history of this country.
Visit the Museum's website for information on becoming a Founding Member and about the benefits provided at each level of donation or call the Development office at 215.923.3811 x 104.
Visitors Choose How They Want Stories To Be Told In New Museum
In the current exhibition, "Shaping Space, Making Meaning," visitors are given the opportunity to voice their opinions on how they prefer to hear stories told in the new Museum. One of six stories featured in the "Can We Talk" exhibit, pictured above, is about the program Jacob Schiff funded to encourage Eastern European Jews to enter America through the port of Galveston, Texas and settle in the country's interior.
Visitors may choose between a formal or conversational caption by sliding an image back and forth to reveal a short text. Using voting slips, each visitor selects his or her choice.
These stories are the type that will be included in future NMAJH exhibitions. Museum Historian and Deputy Director of Programming Josh Perelman said, "Storytelling plays such an important role in the new Museum. The feedback we receive from our visitors has proven to be a great resource for the Museum's designers."
The NMAJH's exhibition design team is in the process of creating the 22,000-square-foot exhibition for the new Museum opening November 2010. "Shaping Space, Making Meaning" offers an insider's look at the process of creating an exhibition about more than 350 years of the American Jewish experience. To learn more about the current exhibition please visit the Museum's website.
Collection Of Hand-Crafted Israeli Jewelry For Sale At Museum Shop
The Museum Shop is now carrying a variety of jewelry from the Israeli company Stefans,whose sterling silver line is hand-made on a kibbutz in the Judean Hills of the northern Negev Desert.
Many pieces are accented with gold and semi-precious stones. The studio where these pieces are crafted has been in operation for more than 40 years. The designers are inspired by their surroundings and by Israeli history and culture.The necklace pictured above is constructed from both polished and hammered metal and features a single white pearl. The unique designs and lines combine modern elegance and traditional motifs. It is only one of of many hand crafted pieces of jewelry found at the Museum Shop and its online store.
Visit the Museum Shop to browse the collection or view items online at www.judaicashop.net. For more information email Eva Schlanger or Elaine Silverman, or call the Museum Shop at 215.923.0262. The Museum Shop is open Monday-Thursday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Friday 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; and Sunday 12 noon - 5 p.m. All proceeds from the Museum Shop support the National Museum of American Jewish History.
Museum Sponsors Author's Talk
Program To Take Place October 27
In "America's Prophet: Moses and the American Story," Feiler tells the remarkable, untold story of how Moses inspired everyone from George Washington to Harriet Tubman, Abraham Lincoln to Martin Luther King, the Statue of Liberty to Superman, and Ronald Reagan to Barack Obama.
One part adventure story, one part literary detective story, one part exploration of faith in contemporary life, America's Prophet takes readers through the landmarks of America's narrative, from Gettysburg to Selma, and the Silver Screen to the Oval Office, to show how Moses has helped to shape the nation's character.
Bruce Feiler is the "New York Times" bestselling author of eight books, including "Walking the Bible," "Abraham," and "Where God was Born," as well as the host of the PBS series also titled "Walking the Bible." An award-winning journalist and speaker, Feiler has written for numerous publications, including "The New Yorker," "The New York Times Magazine," and "Gourmet," where he won three James Beard Awards. He is also a frequent contributor to National Public Radio, CNN, and Fox News.
The program is taking place Tuesday, October 27, 2009, 7:30 p.m. at Christ Church located on 2nd Street between Market and Arch streets, Philadelphia.
The free event is open to the public. Signed books will be available during the program and from the Museum Shop.
Other partners of the program include Historic Philadelphia, Inc, Cari Feiler Bender and Rodd Bender, Christ Church and the Friends of Independence National Historical Park.
Warner Brothers Film Offer
DVD Offer for E-Newsletter Subscribers
The Museum is joining with Cass Warner Sperling to offer a free copy of her 94-minute documentary, "The Brothers Warner," to five E-Newsletters subscribers.
The Brothers Warner film and book are an intimate portrait and saga of the four Hollywood pioneers: the strategic general, Harry Warner; honest Abe; visionary Sam; and volatile Jack. An intimate portrait of the four film pioneers who founded and ran Warner Bros. studios for over 50 years. This epic story is written, directed and told in the voice of Harry Warner's granddaughter, Cass Warner Sperling. It's a tale of a band of brothers who rose from immigrant poverty through personal tragedies persevering to create a major studio with a social conscience.
For more information on the film click on filmmaker Cass Warner's site. The book and film can be purchased from the Museum Shop for $25 each. To make a purchase, email Eva Schlanger or Elaine Silverman with "The Brothers Warner" in the subject line and in the body of the email indicate which item you want. Purchases can also be placed by phoning the Museum Shop at 215.923.0262.
Proceeds from the the Museum's shop support the National Museum of American Jewish History. To receive a free copy of the DVD, be one of the first five subscribers to email enews@nmajh.org. Please put "The Brothers Warner" in the subject line.
Join more than 1,300 people who have recently become a Founding Member of the National Museum of American Jewish History.Founding Members of the new Museum are supporting what will be an iconic institution on Independence Mall as well as a leading national education and cultural center. The Museum will include unique exhibitions, lecture series and films, as well as online initiatives, distance learning and outreach programs for students of all ages across the country.
Founding Memberships are valid for 18 months, allowing participants to be a part of the opening celebrations and to visit the NMAJH whenever they choose throughout the membership term. Founding Members' names will also be permanently listed in the Museum along with other Jewish Americans who have played important roles in shaping the history of this country.
Visit the Museum's website for information on becoming a Founding Member and about the benefits provided at each level of donation or call the Development office at 215.923.3811 x 104.
Visitors Choose How They Want Stories To Be Told In New Museum
In the current exhibition, "Shaping Space, Making Meaning," visitors are given the opportunity to voice their opinions on how they prefer to hear stories told in the new Museum. One of six stories featured in the "Can We Talk" exhibit, pictured above, is about the program Jacob Schiff funded to encourage Eastern European Jews to enter America through the port of Galveston, Texas and settle in the country's interior.
Visitors may choose between a formal or conversational caption by sliding an image back and forth to reveal a short text. Using voting slips, each visitor selects his or her choice.
These stories are the type that will be included in future NMAJH exhibitions. Museum Historian and Deputy Director of Programming Josh Perelman said, "Storytelling plays such an important role in the new Museum. The feedback we receive from our visitors has proven to be a great resource for the Museum's designers."
The NMAJH's exhibition design team is in the process of creating the 22,000-square-foot exhibition for the new Museum opening November 2010. "Shaping Space, Making Meaning" offers an insider's look at the process of creating an exhibition about more than 350 years of the American Jewish experience. To learn more about the current exhibition please visit the Museum's website.
Collection Of Hand-Crafted Israeli Jewelry For Sale At Museum Shop
The Museum Shop is now carrying a variety of jewelry from the Israeli company Stefans,whose sterling silver line is hand-made on a kibbutz in the Judean Hills of the northern Negev Desert.
Many pieces are accented with gold and semi-precious stones. The studio where these pieces are crafted has been in operation for more than 40 years. The designers are inspired by their surroundings and by Israeli history and culture.The necklace pictured above is constructed from both polished and hammered metal and features a single white pearl. The unique designs and lines combine modern elegance and traditional motifs. It is only one of of many hand crafted pieces of jewelry found at the Museum Shop and its online store.
Visit the Museum Shop to browse the collection or view items online at www.judaicashop.net. For more information email Eva Schlanger or Elaine Silverman, or call the Museum Shop at 215.923.0262. The Museum Shop is open Monday-Thursday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Friday 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; and Sunday 12 noon - 5 p.m. All proceeds from the Museum Shop support the National Museum of American Jewish History.
Museum Sponsors Author's Talk
Program To Take Place October 27
The National Museum of American Jewish History is partnering with area institutions to present "An Evening with Bruce Feiler," featuring the best-selling author of "America's Prophet: Moses and the American Story."
In "America's Prophet: Moses and the American Story," Feiler tells the remarkable, untold story of how Moses inspired everyone from George Washington to Harriet Tubman, Abraham Lincoln to Martin Luther King, the Statue of Liberty to Superman, and Ronald Reagan to Barack Obama.One part adventure story, one part literary detective story, one part exploration of faith in contemporary life, America's Prophet takes readers through the landmarks of America's narrative, from Gettysburg to Selma, and the Silver Screen to the Oval Office, to show how Moses has helped to shape the nation's character.
Bruce Feiler is the "New York Times" bestselling author of eight books, including "Walking the Bible," "Abraham," and "Where God was Born," as well as the host of the PBS series also titled "Walking the Bible." An award-winning journalist and speaker, Feiler has written for numerous publications, including "The New Yorker," "The New York Times Magazine," and "Gourmet," where he won three James Beard Awards. He is also a frequent contributor to National Public Radio, CNN, and Fox News.
The program is taking place Tuesday, October 27, 2009, 7:30 p.m. at Christ Church located on 2nd Street between Market and Arch streets, Philadelphia.
The free event is open to the public. Signed books will be available during the program and from the Museum Shop.
Other partners of the program include Historic Philadelphia, Inc, Cari Feiler Bender and Rodd Bender, Christ Church and the Friends of Independence National Historical Park.
Warner Brothers Film Offer
DVD Offer for E-Newsletter Subscribers
The Museum is joining with Cass Warner Sperling to offer a free copy of her 94-minute documentary, "The Brothers Warner," to five E-Newsletters subscribers.
The Brothers Warner film and book are an intimate portrait and saga of the four Hollywood pioneers: the strategic general, Harry Warner; honest Abe; visionary Sam; and volatile Jack. An intimate portrait of the four film pioneers who founded and ran Warner Bros. studios for over 50 years. This epic story is written, directed and told in the voice of Harry Warner's granddaughter, Cass Warner Sperling. It's a tale of a band of brothers who rose from immigrant poverty through personal tragedies persevering to create a major studio with a social conscience.For more information on the film click on filmmaker Cass Warner's site. The book and film can be purchased from the Museum Shop for $25 each. To make a purchase, email Eva Schlanger or Elaine Silverman with "The Brothers Warner" in the subject line and in the body of the email indicate which item you want. Purchases can also be placed by phoning the Museum Shop at 215.923.0262.
Proceeds from the the Museum's shop support the National Museum of American Jewish History. To receive a free copy of the DVD, be one of the first five subscribers to email enews@nmajh.org. Please put "The Brothers Warner" in the subject line.
posted by nmajh @ 10/02/2009 
