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Museum of Jewish Heritage, New York City

Photo © Andurinha. View all images in our Museum of Jewish Heritage Photo Gallery.

Photo © Joseph Hoetzl.

Photo © Andurinha.

Photo © Paul Pellerito.

Photo © Paul Arrington.

Located in Lower Manhattan at the south end of Battery Park City, the Museum of Jewish Heritage: A Living Memorial to the Holocaust tells the story of the Jews before, during and after the Holocaust.

History

New York's Museum of Jewish Heritage first opened its doors on September 15, 1997. In the fall of 2003, a new East Wing opened, built by the same architect as the original building. The new wing includes a kosher cafe, Abigael's at the Museum, run by celebrity chef Jeff Nathan.

What to See

The museum is housed in an austere granite building designed by award-winning architect Kevin Roche. Its six-tier roof alludes both to the Star of David and the 6 million murdered in the Holocaust.

The museum's permanent exhibits are organized around three main themes, arranged chronologically - Jewish Life a Century Ago (first floor), The War Against the Jews (second floor), and Jewish Renewal (third floor).

The history of these periods is brought to life through unique documentary films, the most poignant of which record first-person testimonies of Holocaust survivors and victims' families. Many of these testimonies were recorded by the Survivors of the Shoah Visual History Foundation, founded by museum trustee Steven Spielberg.

The remainder of the museum displays selected items from its collection of more than 15,000 artifacts, photographs, documents, and archival films that have been gathered for nearly two decades. The exhibits of of Jewish life on the first floor include such items as elaborate screens hand-painted for the fall harvest festival of Sukkoth, wedding invitations, and tools used by Jewish tradesmen.

The museum is intended to be a venue of active learning as well as permanent exhibits: Thursday evenings are dedicated to panel discussions, performances, and music, while Sundays are dedicated to family programs and workshops. A film series is also a regular part of the calendar. These special events take place in the Robert M. Morgenthau Wing, named for the Museum's Chairman and Manhattan District Attorney.

Quick Facts on Museum of Jewish Heritage

Map of Museum of Jewish Heritage

Below is a location map and aerial view of Museum of Jewish Heritage. Using the buttons on the left (or the wheel on your mouse), you can zoom in for a closer look, or zoom out to get your bearings. To move around, click and drag the map with your mouse.

References

1. Frommer's New York City 2005
2. The Museum of Jewish Heritage: A Living Memorial to the Holocaust - Official Website
3. Ours to Fight For: American Jews in the Second World War - Official Website of the Temporary Exhibition

More Information

• Museum of Jewish Heritage, New York City - Go Historic
• Photos of Museum of Jewish Heritage - here on Sacred Destinations

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