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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Eighteen Jewish Americans Chosen

The 18 individuals who will be featured in the gallery are Irving Berlin, Leonard Bernstein, Louis Brandeis, Albert Einstein, Mordecai Kaplan, Sandy Koufax, Estée Lauder, Emma Lazarus, Isaac Leeser, Golda Meir, Jonas Salk, Rose Schneiderman, Isaac Bashevis Singer, Steven Spielberg, Barbra Streisand, Menachem Mendel Schneerson, Henrietta Szold, and Isaac Mayer Wise.

During a one-month period, July 8 through August 6, 2009, the Museum invited the public to vote on the 18 to be included in the Gallery from a list of 218 possible candidates. More than 209,000 votes were cast from 56 countries on the Museum's Only in America® website, which can be accessed at www.nmajh.org.

The 218 candidates were drawn from eight categories: Arts & Entertainment; Business & Philanthropy; Literature; Performance; Politics, Law & Activism; Religion & Thought; Science & Medicine; and Sports. The Museum selected for inclusion in the Gallery the person who received the most votes in each category.

In addition to the public's recommendations, the Museum's historians and curators worked to ensure that the group reflected Jews' 350 years of history in the United States and the diverse fields in which they have been involved.

"The public played a significant role in how the Museum chose the first group of individuals we are honoring in our Only in America® Gallery/Hall of Fame," said Michael Rosenzweig, the Museum's president and CEO. "The 18 finalists represent a consensus between the public vote and the Museum's historians and curatorial staff. We wanted the public's input on who should be recognized for their accomplishments in a major museum exhibition and they made excellent choices."

"In addition to the public response to the voting, we're very pleased with the educational aspects of the poll," Rosenzweig said. "Thousands of people came to the site and learned about the contributions of 218 distinguished American Jews to our society. There were debates about the merits of some of the candidates and the inclusion or exclusion of others, and that's exactly the kind of dialogue we plan to encourage in our new Museum.

"The Only in America® Gallery/Hall of Fame will be a space that inspires visitors," Rosenzweig continued. "It will celebrate the lives and achievements of 18 individuals who exemplify a central theme of the Museum: that a hallmark of the American experience has been an unparalleled opportunity to aspire, achieve, and possibly change the world."

To be located on the first floor of the Museum's future home on Independence Mall, the Only in America® Gallery/Hall of Fame will be a landmark museum experience, featuring major film productions, original artifacts, and an interactive database.

Additional individuals will be added to the Only in America® Gallery/Hall of Fame in the coming years. All 218 individuals included in the public vote will be included in the interactive database that will be available to all Museum visitors as well as on its website. Representing individuals from diverse backgrounds and areas of activity, the Only in America® Gallery/Hall of Fame database will provide access to hundreds of compelling stories that underscore the Museum's primary themes and offer significant opportunities for educational activities. The Only in America® website will remain live for visitors to use and explore. Visitors to the site can continue submitting names of people that they believe should be included in the Only in America® Gallery/Hall of Fame database.

The Museum's academic historians are led by Dr. Jonathan Sarna, the Joseph H. & Belle R. Braun Professor of American Jewish History at Brandeis University, and include Dr. Pamela S. Nadell, the inaugural Patrick Clendenen Professor of History and Director of the Jewish Studies Program at American University; Dr. Beth S. Wenger, Associate Professor of History and Director of the Jewish Studies Program at the University of Pennsylvania; Dr. Michael Berenbaum, a writer, lecturer, and teacher consulting in the conceptual development of museums and Director of the Sigi Ziering Institute at the American Jewish University: and Dr. Josh Perelman who serves as the Museum's Historian and Deputy Director of Programming.

Museum Board Member Ed Snider, who is chairman of Comcast-Spectacor, one of the preeminent sports and entertainment organizations in the world, is the major benefactor of the Only in America® Gallery/Hall of Fame.

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

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, the country's only museum dedicated exclusively to telling the still-unfolding story of Jews in America, today 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 Museum is currently building a striking five-story, 100,000-square-foot facility on Independence Mall in historic Philadelphia designed by Polshek Partnership Architects. When completed in late 2010, the new Museum will join Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, the National Constitution Center and other landmarks at the site of America's birth, a fitting place to explore the promises and challenges of liberty as seen through the particular lens of the American Jewish experience. The capital and endowment campaign for NMAJH has raised nearly $120 million to date from donors across the country.

The search for the new director was conducted by a search committee organized in June 2008 under the leadership of Board Co-Chairmen George M. Ross and Ronald 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 stated.

The steel frame of the National Museum of American Jewish History being constructed on Independence Mall in Philadelphia will be topped off Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2009, noon, completing a significant milestone for the building that will serve as a cornerstone of the modern-day American Jewish community.

The final 31-foot beam will be placed on the northwest corner of the 121-foot and six-inch high, 100,000–square-foot, five-story building, designed by Polshek Partnership Architects of New York. In the heart of historic Philadelphia, the Museum will join Independence Hall, the National Constitution Center, the Liberty Bell and other landmarks at the site of America’s birth. The new Museum will open in 2010.

The final beam will be hoisted with banners from the Museum, Ironworkers Local Union 401, and INTECH Construction Inc., the Museum’s contractor. Also included will be an American flag and evergreen tree, traditional symbols of the ironworkers’ topping off ceremony. With the steel structure finished, the next steps for the building will be pouring its concrete floors and the construction of the north and west walls.

The western wall facing Independence Mall will be a glass prism, expressing the accessibility of the museum and the openness of America, as well as the perennial fragility of democracy. The north wall will be constructed of terra cotta, expressing the strength of Jewish survival and the protective shelter of American freedom.

“With this phase of the construction complete, and as the Museum takes shape on Independence Mall, I think it becomes clear that there could not be a more fitting place for a museum that will explore the promise and challenges of liberty through the lens of the American Jewish experience,” said Gwen Goodman, the NMAJH’s Executive Director/CEO.

The new National Museum of American Jewish History will be the first and only major museum dedicated to chronicling the American Jewish experience. Through intriguing exhibits, rare artifacts and interactive displays, the Museum will mark the trials and triumphs of American Jews through every phase of the country’s history. It will explore the challenges of identity and assimilation they faced and celebrate the contributions they have made to every facet of American life. And since other immigrant ethnic groups have faced similar challenges, the Museum will ultimately be a place for all Americans to explore, offering an experience that is thought-provoking and informative.

The National Museum of American Jewish History 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, our nation. 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.


Contact:

Jay E. Nachman
215.923.5978
215.868.8057 (Cell)

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 $111 million toward its goal of $150 million for the new Museum being built on the hallowed ground of Independence Mall. The Museum is constructing a 100,000–square-foot, five-story building, designed by Polshek Partnership Architects of New York.

In the heart of historic Philadelphia, the Museum will join Independence Hall, the National Constitution Center, the Liberty Bell and other landmarks at the site of America’s birth. The new building, which will serve as a cornerstone of the modern-day American Jewish community, and a source of national pride, will open in 2010. “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 new National Museum of American Jewish History will be the first and only major museum dedicated to chronicling the American Jewish experience. Through intriguing exhibits, rare artifacts and interactive displays, the Museum will mark the trials and triumphs of American Jews through every phase of the country’s history. It will explore the challenges of identity and assimilation they faced and celebrate the contributions they have made to every facet of American life. And since other immigrant ethnic groups have faced similar challenges, the Museum will ultimately be a place for all Americans to explore, offering an experience that is thought-provoking and informative. Major contributions toward creating the new facility began with a lead gift in 2002 from philanthropist Sidney Kimmel. Subsequent gifts have included significant donations from Ed Snider, The Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation, Dr. Alexander and Lorraine Dell and the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation.

The National Museum of American Jewish History 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, our nation. 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 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.

Captivating children’s performers Peter & Ellen Allard are highlighting this year’s annual “Being Jewish at Christmas” program of family fun at the National Museum of American Jewish History, which features music, comedy, puppets and more on Tuesday, Dec. 25, noon – 4 p.m.

Peter & Ellen are award-winning recording artists, performers, musicians, and educators specializing in music for young children. Drawing on a rich tradition of musical experiences, Peter & Ellen help children and families strengthen their Jewish identities through their lively performance and engaging, participatory shows.

Joining the award-winning Peter & Ellen are returning BJAC entertainers Michael Rosman, whose amazing feats of all-ages comedy has been seen on The Late Show with David Letterman and The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and who has performed numerous times in Atlantic City, and 2006 “Best of Philly” Party Entertainer Ken Fink from Wondergy, who fuels curiosity by making science fun and exciting. Back after an absence of a few years is the Mark Segal Puppet Theatre and its zany cast of characters. Refreshments are provided and all children will receive a “goodie bag.”

Shaping Space, Making Meaning, the new temporary exhibition at the National Museum of American Jewish History, offers visitors the opportunity to learn how a museum creates a major exhibition and at the same time have input into developing the show prior to opening. The NMAJH’s exhibition design team is now in the process of creating the 22,000-square- foot exhibition for the new Museum now under construction and scheduled to open in 2010. The new location is one block south of the Museum’s current site.

Shaping Space, Making Meaning’s design sketches, computer-generated images, video and text will offer an insider’s look at the process of developing a landmark exhibition about more than 350 years of American Jewish life.

“Being Jewish at Christmas” is held at the National Museum of American Jewish History, Independence Mall East, 55 North 5th Street, from noon to 4:00 p.m. Tickets are $5 per person (children three and under admitted free) and there is no charge to Museum members. Tickets are available only at the door. For more information call 215-923-3811 x 120. Members of the military and their families are admitted free.
“Being Jewish at Christmas” is made possible by the generous support of the Robert Saligman Jewish Heritage Fund.


►►►FOR ART, PLEASE CONTACT JAY NACHMAN AT 215.923.5978.

Public Invited to September 30 Ceremony


U.S. Senator Arlen Specter, Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell, and Philadelphia Mayor John Street are among the guests scheduled to speak at the groundbreaking for the new Museum taking place on Sept. 30, 11 a.m. on Independence Mall at 5th and Market Streets. The program will begin with the bells of Independence Hall ringing 11 times, and will include music in addition to the speakers and other activities.

Joining in the celebration with dignitaries from federal, state and local government will be Museum trustees and donors, scholars, educators, religious leaders, and young people, wishing to take part in a historic event for the national Jewish community and all Americans.

"The Museum will be a cornerstone in the modern-day American Jewish community, and a source of national pride," said Ronald Rubin, co-chairman with George M. Ross of the Museum's Board of Trustees. "The new NMAJH is dedicated to keeping Jewish culture alive and giving a new generation greater appreciation of their heritage. It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to help create a special place in the American Jewish community and to tangibly demonstrate what's possible when people live in freedom."

"I hope that people from throughout the region will celebrate with us in this landmark community event," said Gwen Goodman, Museum Executive Director and CEO.

The new Museum, an architecturally distinctive 6-story, 100,000 square foot building, will be the pre-eminent national educational and cultural institution presenting American Jewish history. Designed by the leading New York architectural firm of Polshek Partnership Architects, the Museum will build on the dynamic interaction between its location on Independence Mall, the history and traditions of the Jewish people, and the broader national experience. Galleries, exhibition halls, an education center and an auditorium will be among the features of this new Museum.

The new Museum is scheduled to open a half block away from 5th and Market streets on July 4, 2010, 34 years after its first opened its doors during the Bicentennial.

To make a reservation to join us for the groundbreaking ceremony, please contact Jannine Medrana at 215.923.3811 ext. 111.

To view a recent news story about the new Museum, visit http://cbs3.com/video/?id=44269@kyw.dayport.com.

Month-long Series of Programs Featured During May

The National Museum of American Jewish History and the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia are joining together for “American Jewish History Through the Arts,” a month-long series of free programs on consecutive Sundays in May, which has been named Jewish American Heritage Month. These programs will highlight the American Jewish experience through an exhibition, theater, and film. The American Jewish Heritage Month program also includes Federation’s Sunday, May 6 Israel Independence Day Celebration and the Museum’s Thursday, May 10 annual Only in America© Gala.

Following the May 6 “Israel 59-Israel In Our Hearts” program at the Horticulture Center in Fairmount Park, the month-long celebration shifts to the Museum.

On Sunday, May 13, the Museum will present A Taste For … in conjunction with the exhibition, Forshpeis! A Taste of the Peter H. Schweitzer Collection of Jewish Americana. A Taste For … is a dramatic presentation of interactive storytelling that engages visitors of all ages and connects them to the themes, environments, eras, and artifacts of Forshpeis! Performances will be repeated from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

On Sunday, May 20, the public can enter the world of the Jewish immigrant through first-person historical readings with HIStories, HERstories, YOURstories, OURstories. Performances will be repeated from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Forshpeis! A Taste of the Peter H. Schweitzer Collection of Jewish Americana reveals aspects of American Jewish life by looking at food in a range of settings and explores themes of identity, immigration and cultural expression. American Jewish Heritage Month concludes at the Museum on Sunday, May 27th with the screening of two films. At 1:00 p.m., enjoy Gentleman’s Agreement, the classic film starring Gregory Peck about a journalist who discovers what it is like to be a victim of religious intolerance. The 118-minute film won three Academy Awards, including for Best Picture. Following this screening at 3:30 p.m. there will be a second film, Matzo & Mistletoe. This film by Kate Feiffer explores issues of religious and ethnic identity with heart and humor.

The annual Independence Day celebration will be held in a new location this year, the Horticulture Center. Israel In Our Hearts promises to be a unique experience for the entire family. From historical characters to wine tasting, from outstanding musical performances to Israeli food, from craft fair to sporting activities, Israel In Our Hearts will bring the community together in its expression of love for and solidarity with the State of Israel.

The Museum’s annual Only in America© Gala theme is “Collections” and the Gala and Album will feature the Museum’s artifacts, which help comprise the cultural heritage of the Jewish people in America.

The month of May now celebrates the American Jewish experience and its contribution to American society through Jewish American Heritage Month. JAHM also enables the exploration of the meaning of religious pluralism, cultural diversity, and participation in American civic culture. Many Americans have little understanding of Jewish culture simply because the majority of Americans have few interactions with Jews or Jewish traditions. The ignorance of Jewish culture can lead to prejudice and discrimination. Jewish American Heritage Month provides an opportunity to educate all Americans about Jewish culture and traditions and highlights the many positive roles Jews have played in American history and culture. May 2007 marks the second annual Jewish American Heritage Month.

The National Museum of American Jewish History, on Independence Mall East in Philadelphia, presents educational programs and experiences that preserve, explore and celebrate the history of Jews in America. Its purpose is to connect Jews more closely to their heritage and to inspire in people of all backgrounds a greater appreciation for the diversity of the American experience and the freedoms to which Americans aspire.

The Museum is in the midst of a $148 million Capital Campaign for a new Museum at 5th and Market streets on Independence Mall in Philadelphia, across from the Liberty Bell and less than a block from Independence Hall. The new site is a block south from the Museum’s current location.

Established in 1901, the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia is the central non-profit Jewish community organization in the Greater Philadelphia area. Its mission is to identify and prioritize the important issues and needs of our local and global community, then organize and mobilize human and financial resources to successfully impact them. Federation focuses on Jewish education, human services, family, and economic needs, and provides support for Israel and for Jews at risk elsewhere in the world. Visit Federation at www.jewishphilly.org.

Contact: Jay E. Nachman 215.923.5978