NMAJH E-newsletter
April 08, 2009
Enews April 2009
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.
___________________________________
Museum Week at the National Museum of American Jewish History
The Museum, which serves as a cornerstone of the modern-day American Jewish community, is dedicated to telling the still-unfolding story of Jews in America who embraced freedom with its choices and challenges as they shaped, and were shaped by, the nation. The Museum welcomes all people, inviting them to discover what they have in common with the Jewish experience in America, and to explore the features that make this history distinctive.
Celebrate Museum Week at the National Museum of American Jewish History! Admission is FREE! Receive a 20% discount off your purchase during Museum Week. To redeem this offer, mention the Museum Week discount at check-out. Special Restrictions: The discount does not apply to sterling silver items, ketubot and books. This offer is only valid during Museum Week from April 27-May 3, 2009.
National Museum of American Jewish History Appoints Michael Rosenzweig as President and CEO
Accomplished Leader in the Business World and the National Jewish Community Will Guide Museum into a New Era at Its Home on Independence Mall.
The National Museum of American Jewish History has announced the appointment of Michael Rosenzweig as its new President and CEO. The appointment was announced by NMAJH Co-Chairmen George M. Ross and Ronald Rubin.
"Michael Rosenzweig's business and legal background, along with his impressive leadership and fundraising experience in the Jewish world, make him the ideal leader for our Museum," stated Ross, who also serves as the Museum's Campaign Chairman. "He brings both a passion and a deep and abiding commitment to the educational mission of the institution, as well as great practical experience in leading both private and nonprofit institutions."
Rosenzweig served most recently as Senior Vice President for Corporate Development and General Counsel at Johns Manville, a Fortune 500 company in Denver. Prior to that, he was a prominent corporate lawyer in Atlanta. He also brings academic experience to NMAJH, having been a professor on the faculty of the University of Michigan Law School.
His service to the Jewish community includes being the Founding President of The Weber School, one of the nation's first transdenominational Jewish day high schools. He is currently President of the American Pardes Foundation, the American arm of the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem.
"I am honored to be joining the Museum at this exciting time in its history," Rosenzweig stated. "I am deeply impressed by the Museum's ambitious educational mission and scholarly agenda, and by its commitment to utilizing the American Jewish experience to illuminate the many universal issues that challenge a country as diverse and inclusive as ours. I am especially excited by the opportunity to lead the Museum in realizing its vision as a truly national institution and a vital center of Jewish cultural life."
The search for the new president was conducted by a search committee organized in June 2008 under the leadership of NMAJH Board Co-Chairmen Ross and Rubin with NMAJH Board Member Mimi Schneirov serving as Committee Chair.
The Museum's current Executive Director, Gwen Goodman, will remain with the Museum as Executive Director Emerita until the opening of the new facility. "I look forward to working closely with Michael Rosenzweig on the grand opening of NMAJH's new home on Independence Mall in late 2010," she said.
The National Museum of American Jewish History has announced the appointment of Michael Rosenzweig as its new President and CEO. The appointment was announced by NMAJH Co-Chairmen George M. Ross and Ronald Rubin.
"Michael Rosenzweig's business and legal background, along with his impressive leadership and fundraising experience in the Jewish world, make him the ideal leader for our Museum," stated Ross, who also serves as the Museum's Campaign Chairman. "He brings both a passion and a deep and abiding commitment to the educational mission of the institution, as well as great practical experience in leading both private and nonprofit institutions."
Rosenzweig served most recently as Senior Vice President for Corporate Development and General Counsel at Johns Manville, a Fortune 500 company in Denver. Prior to that, he was a prominent corporate lawyer in Atlanta. He also brings academic experience to NMAJH, having been a professor on the faculty of the University of Michigan Law School.
His service to the Jewish community includes being the Founding President of The Weber School, one of the nation's first transdenominational Jewish day high schools. He is currently President of the American Pardes Foundation, the American arm of the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem.
"I am honored to be joining the Museum at this exciting time in its history," Rosenzweig stated. "I am deeply impressed by the Museum's ambitious educational mission and scholarly agenda, and by its commitment to utilizing the American Jewish experience to illuminate the many universal issues that challenge a country as diverse and inclusive as ours. I am especially excited by the opportunity to lead the Museum in realizing its vision as a truly national institution and a vital center of Jewish cultural life."
The search for the new president was conducted by a search committee organized in June 2008 under the leadership of NMAJH Board Co-Chairmen Ross and Rubin with NMAJH Board Member Mimi Schneirov serving as Committee Chair.
The Museum's current Executive Director, Gwen Goodman, will remain with the Museum as Executive Director Emerita until the opening of the new facility. "I look forward to working closely with Michael Rosenzweig on the grand opening of NMAJH's new home on Independence Mall in late 2010," she said.
Museum Exhibition Inquires About Visitor Backgrounds
In addition to the Museum's current exhibition Shaping Space, Making Meaning asking visitors what they would like to see in the new Museum, visitors are asked about themselves. On interactive touch screens information is requested on their age, gender, ethnicity, and religious affiliation, if any. This information will help exhibition designers understand the way previous questions were answered. It also gives them an idea of what kinds of people are interested in American Jewish history and who might visit the new Museum.
The new Museum will tell the still unfolding story of more than 350 years of American Jewish life. The Museum envisions its new home as a place that welcomes all people, inviting them to discover what they have in common with the Jewish experience in America, and to explore the features that make this history distinctive. The touch screens also feature a short quiz to help the Museum learn about its audience's knowledge of American Jewish history.
Shaping Space, Making Meaning also has design sketches, computer-generated images, video and text that offer an insider's look at the process of developing a landmark exhibition. The NMAJH's exhibition design team is in the process of creating the 22,000-square-foot exhibition for the new Museum.
Museum Shop Ready For Last-Minute Passover Shoppers
Don't forget to visit the Museum Shop to purchase Passover items such as the seder plate and wine decanter featured here buy artist Steven Resnick.
Mr. Resnick is a leading authority on glass restoration and has been called upon to participate in restoration projects for the Smithsonian Institution as well as the U.S. Capitol. Borrowing on his experience in stone sculpture, his glass carving is characterized by its wonderful textural quality utilizing intricate organic motifs. His Judaica work can be seen in galleries throughout the United States. The work has been featured in a number of museums.
Along with Resnick's glasswork, the Museum Shop sells other Judaica perfect for Passover. This includes wine cups, matzah plates, haggadahs, and an array of beautifully hand made seder plates.
Visit the Museum Shop to browse the collection or view the items online at www.judaicashop.net. For more information email Eva Schlanger or Elaine Silverman, or call the Museum Shop at 215.923.0262. Expedited shipping available upon request. 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. Proceeds from the Museum Shop support the National Museum of American Jewish History.
Restored Prison Synagogue Opens to the Public For the First Time
Eastern State Penitentiary is offering Museum E-Newsletter readers a "buy one get one free" ticket offer for Sundays in April. Visitors will be able to visit the historic site's newly-restored synagogue which was opened to the public for the first time in early April 2009. The coupon can be found here.
The Museum has in its collection an artifact representative of Jewish life at the penitentiary. The oil painting (pictured) is of Joe Paull, a prison volunteer who worked with Jewish inmates in Eastern State penitentiary. It was painted by Ben Jacobson, an inmate. The painting was presented to Mr. Paull by Jewish inmates as an expression of gratitude for his volunteer service.
Eastern State's Alfred W. Fleisher Memorial Synagogue completed around 1924 was the first built in an American prison. It was used continuously until the penitentiary closed in 1970 and then fell into near total ruin after the penitentiary's abandonment. The synagogue has been restored to its appearance in 1960, with dark wooden benches, a beautiful ark, reader's table, ornate plaster Star of David, and an eternal flame.The opening celebrates the preservation of Eastern State's unique and historic synagogue and the Jewish life it engendered.
The William Portner Memorial Exhibit on Jewish Life, an exhibit about the synagogue's history and Jewish life inside the institution includes objects recovered from the rubble inside the synagogue and oversized images of the synagogue in use by prisoners. The public can visit www.EasternState.org for information about visiting the site.
Known for its grand architecture and strict discipline, Eastern State Penitentiary was the world's first true "penitentiary," a prison designed to inspire penitence, or true regret, in the hearts of convicts.
NMAJH Continues To Look For Docents and Volunteers
The Museum continues to recruit docents to enroll in a comprehensive training program in order to conduct tours and educational programs for the new Museum scheduled to open on Independence Mall in fall 2010.
"Docents provide all visitors with an exciting and engaging experience that gives them a new understanding of, appreciation for, and continued interest in American Jewish history and everyone's connection to it." said Robert Levin, the Museum's Education Director.
Docents in training will learn to lead visitors toward a fuller understanding of museum artifacts and the history, people, and stories behind them through interpretations and other experiential activities.
Among the requirements of the training program, the docents will attend a weekly course for one year on American Jewish history. They also will be required to conduct independent research and volunteer for at least eight hours a month guiding tours and walk-in visitors.
In addition, the new Museum is seeking volunteers for research, administration, visitor services, the Museum Shop, special events, and translation and interpretation.
"We look forward to having volunteers play a vital role in the only museum dedicated to chronicling the American Jewish experience," said Gwen Goodman, Museum Executive Director/CEO.
To apply to be a docent or a volunteer please go to the Education tab on the Museum's website for more information and to fill out the online forms. Please do not call the Museum's Education Department.
___________________________________
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
___________________________________
Museum Week at the National Museum of American Jewish History
The Museum, which serves as a cornerstone of the modern-day American Jewish community, is dedicated to telling the still-unfolding story of Jews in America who embraced freedom with its choices and challenges as they shaped, and were shaped by, the nation. The Museum welcomes all people, inviting them to discover what they have in common with the Jewish experience in America, and to explore the features that make this history distinctive.Celebrate Museum Week at the National Museum of American Jewish History! Admission is FREE! Receive a 20% discount off your purchase during Museum Week. To redeem this offer, mention the Museum Week discount at check-out. Special Restrictions: The discount does not apply to sterling silver items, ketubot and books. This offer is only valid during Museum Week from April 27-May 3, 2009.
National Museum of American Jewish History Appoints Michael Rosenzweig as President and CEO
Accomplished Leader in the Business World and the National Jewish Community Will Guide Museum into a New Era at Its Home on Independence Mall.
The National Museum of American Jewish History has announced the appointment of Michael Rosenzweig as its new President and CEO. The appointment was announced by NMAJH Co-Chairmen George M. Ross and Ronald Rubin."Michael Rosenzweig's business and legal background, along with his impressive leadership and fundraising experience in the Jewish world, make him the ideal leader for our Museum," stated Ross, who also serves as the Museum's Campaign Chairman. "He brings both a passion and a deep and abiding commitment to the educational mission of the institution, as well as great practical experience in leading both private and nonprofit institutions."
Rosenzweig served most recently as Senior Vice President for Corporate Development and General Counsel at Johns Manville, a Fortune 500 company in Denver. Prior to that, he was a prominent corporate lawyer in Atlanta. He also brings academic experience to NMAJH, having been a professor on the faculty of the University of Michigan Law School.
His service to the Jewish community includes being the Founding President of The Weber School, one of the nation's first transdenominational Jewish day high schools. He is currently President of the American Pardes Foundation, the American arm of the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem.
"I am honored to be joining the Museum at this exciting time in its history," Rosenzweig stated. "I am deeply impressed by the Museum's ambitious educational mission and scholarly agenda, and by its commitment to utilizing the American Jewish experience to illuminate the many universal issues that challenge a country as diverse and inclusive as ours. I am especially excited by the opportunity to lead the Museum in realizing its vision as a truly national institution and a vital center of Jewish cultural life."
The search for the new president was conducted by a search committee organized in June 2008 under the leadership of NMAJH Board Co-Chairmen Ross and Rubin with NMAJH Board Member Mimi Schneirov serving as Committee Chair.
The Museum's current Executive Director, Gwen Goodman, will remain with the Museum as Executive Director Emerita until the opening of the new facility. "I look forward to working closely with Michael Rosenzweig on the grand opening of NMAJH's new home on Independence Mall in late 2010," she said.
The National Museum of American Jewish History has announced the appointment of Michael Rosenzweig as its new President and CEO. The appointment was announced by NMAJH Co-Chairmen George M. Ross and Ronald Rubin.
"Michael Rosenzweig's business and legal background, along with his impressive leadership and fundraising experience in the Jewish world, make him the ideal leader for our Museum," stated Ross, who also serves as the Museum's Campaign Chairman. "He brings both a passion and a deep and abiding commitment to the educational mission of the institution, as well as great practical experience in leading both private and nonprofit institutions."
Rosenzweig served most recently as Senior Vice President for Corporate Development and General Counsel at Johns Manville, a Fortune 500 company in Denver. Prior to that, he was a prominent corporate lawyer in Atlanta. He also brings academic experience to NMAJH, having been a professor on the faculty of the University of Michigan Law School.
His service to the Jewish community includes being the Founding President of The Weber School, one of the nation's first transdenominational Jewish day high schools. He is currently President of the American Pardes Foundation, the American arm of the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem.
"I am honored to be joining the Museum at this exciting time in its history," Rosenzweig stated. "I am deeply impressed by the Museum's ambitious educational mission and scholarly agenda, and by its commitment to utilizing the American Jewish experience to illuminate the many universal issues that challenge a country as diverse and inclusive as ours. I am especially excited by the opportunity to lead the Museum in realizing its vision as a truly national institution and a vital center of Jewish cultural life."
The search for the new president was conducted by a search committee organized in June 2008 under the leadership of NMAJH Board Co-Chairmen Ross and Rubin with NMAJH Board Member Mimi Schneirov serving as Committee Chair.
The Museum's current Executive Director, Gwen Goodman, will remain with the Museum as Executive Director Emerita until the opening of the new facility. "I look forward to working closely with Michael Rosenzweig on the grand opening of NMAJH's new home on Independence Mall in late 2010," she said.
Museum Exhibition Inquires About Visitor Backgrounds
In addition to the Museum's current exhibition Shaping Space, Making Meaning asking visitors what they would like to see in the new Museum, visitors are asked about themselves. On interactive touch screens information is requested on their age, gender, ethnicity, and religious affiliation, if any. This information will help exhibition designers understand the way previous questions were answered. It also gives them an idea of what kinds of people are interested in American Jewish history and who might visit the new Museum.The new Museum will tell the still unfolding story of more than 350 years of American Jewish life. The Museum envisions its new home as a place that welcomes all people, inviting them to discover what they have in common with the Jewish experience in America, and to explore the features that make this history distinctive. The touch screens also feature a short quiz to help the Museum learn about its audience's knowledge of American Jewish history.
Shaping Space, Making Meaning also has design sketches, computer-generated images, video and text that offer an insider's look at the process of developing a landmark exhibition. The NMAJH's exhibition design team is in the process of creating the 22,000-square-foot exhibition for the new Museum.
Museum Shop Ready For Last-Minute Passover Shoppers
Don't forget to visit the Museum Shop to purchase Passover items such as the seder plate and wine decanter featured here buy artist Steven Resnick.Mr. Resnick is a leading authority on glass restoration and has been called upon to participate in restoration projects for the Smithsonian Institution as well as the U.S. Capitol. Borrowing on his experience in stone sculpture, his glass carving is characterized by its wonderful textural quality utilizing intricate organic motifs. His Judaica work can be seen in galleries throughout the United States. The work has been featured in a number of museums.
Along with Resnick's glasswork, the Museum Shop sells other Judaica perfect for Passover. This includes wine cups, matzah plates, haggadahs, and an array of beautifully hand made seder plates.
Visit the Museum Shop to browse the collection or view the items online at www.judaicashop.net. For more information email Eva Schlanger or Elaine Silverman, or call the Museum Shop at 215.923.0262. Expedited shipping available upon request. 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. Proceeds from the Museum Shop support the National Museum of American Jewish History.
Restored Prison Synagogue Opens to the Public For the First Time
Eastern State Penitentiary is offering Museum E-Newsletter readers a "buy one get one free" ticket offer for Sundays in April. Visitors will be able to visit the historic site's newly-restored synagogue which was opened to the public for the first time in early April 2009. The coupon can be found here.The Museum has in its collection an artifact representative of Jewish life at the penitentiary. The oil painting (pictured) is of Joe Paull, a prison volunteer who worked with Jewish inmates in Eastern State penitentiary. It was painted by Ben Jacobson, an inmate. The painting was presented to Mr. Paull by Jewish inmates as an expression of gratitude for his volunteer service.
Eastern State's Alfred W. Fleisher Memorial Synagogue completed around 1924 was the first built in an American prison. It was used continuously until the penitentiary closed in 1970 and then fell into near total ruin after the penitentiary's abandonment. The synagogue has been restored to its appearance in 1960, with dark wooden benches, a beautiful ark, reader's table, ornate plaster Star of David, and an eternal flame.The opening celebrates the preservation of Eastern State's unique and historic synagogue and the Jewish life it engendered.
The William Portner Memorial Exhibit on Jewish Life, an exhibit about the synagogue's history and Jewish life inside the institution includes objects recovered from the rubble inside the synagogue and oversized images of the synagogue in use by prisoners. The public can visit www.EasternState.org for information about visiting the site.
Known for its grand architecture and strict discipline, Eastern State Penitentiary was the world's first true "penitentiary," a prison designed to inspire penitence, or true regret, in the hearts of convicts.
NMAJH Continues To Look For Docents and Volunteers
The Museum continues to recruit docents to enroll in a comprehensive training program in order to conduct tours and educational programs for the new Museum scheduled to open on Independence Mall in fall 2010.
"Docents provide all visitors with an exciting and engaging experience that gives them a new understanding of, appreciation for, and continued interest in American Jewish history and everyone's connection to it." said Robert Levin, the Museum's Education Director.
Docents in training will learn to lead visitors toward a fuller understanding of museum artifacts and the history, people, and stories behind them through interpretations and other experiential activities.
Among the requirements of the training program, the docents will attend a weekly course for one year on American Jewish history. They also will be required to conduct independent research and volunteer for at least eight hours a month guiding tours and walk-in visitors.
In addition, the new Museum is seeking volunteers for research, administration, visitor services, the Museum Shop, special events, and translation and interpretation.
"We look forward to having volunteers play a vital role in the only museum dedicated to chronicling the American Jewish experience," said Gwen Goodman, Museum Executive Director/CEO.
To apply to be a docent or a volunteer please go to the Education tab on the Museum's website for more information and to fill out the online forms. Please do not call the Museum's Education Department.
___________________________________
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 @ 4/08/2009 
