Late in the summer of 1654, 23 Jewish refugees arrived in America. They came from Recife, Brazil, and with the perfect mix of courage, tenacity, and determination, began their lives as Americans, building a community in what was then known as New Amsterdam.
It is in honor of those intrepid men, women, and children, the first Jews in what is now our nation, that the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History has created the 1654 Society, our new annual leadership giving society.
Through the support of 1654 Society member investment, the Museum educates the public about the history and culture of Jewish people in America. These funds underwrite the Weitzman’s most critical work, including free visits, programs, and curricula for public schools and gathering thought leaders and community members for important and compelling discussions. The Weitzman’s work stands as an antidote to antisemitism, telling true stories of American Jews.
1654 Society members agree to deepen their commitment to The Weitzman by making a four-year pledge to the Museum of $1800, $3600, $5400, $10,800, or $18,000 per year, a powerful statement about their commitment to maintaining The Weitzman as an essential voice teaching the stories of American Jewish life.
For more information on the 1654 Society benefits listed below or to discuss membership in the 1654 Society, please call Beth Heaney, Manager of Member Relations and Annual Fund, at 215-391-4643. Or, to make your four-year pledge online and join right away, click here:
1654 Society Annual Giving Levels & Benefits
All 1654 Society Members receive the following core benefits:
- Invitation to the Annual 1654 Society Summit
- Access to up to four, curator-led Museum tours
- Advance previews of upcoming virtual tours and exhibitions
- Concierge Service for program and event tickets
- Complimentary copy of Dreams of Freedom catalog
- 20% discount in the Museum Store
- Reciprocal admission to more than 2,000 museums through the North American Reciprocal Museum, the Council of American Jewish Museums, and the Reciprocal Organization of Associated Museums programs.
- Invitations to select public programs with a special reception to meet the keynote speaker; exclusive seating during Museum public programs
$1,800+ per year
- All core benefits
- $90 gift certificate to the Museum Store
$3,600+ per year
- All core benefits
- $180 gift certificate to the Museum Store
$5,400+ per year
- All core benefits
- $270 gift certificate to the Museum Store
- 20% discount on one space rental annually for four years (a savings of up to $1,000/year)
- Opportunity to host a private reception at the Museum, once during 1654 Society four-year membership period, for a party of up to 100 at a 15% discount (a savings of up to $300)
$10,800+ per year
- All benefits of the $5400 level
- $360 gift certificate to the Museum Store
- 2 complimentary tickets to the Only In America Gala and recognition in the Gala Program Book (virtual or in-person)
$18,000+ per year
- All benefits of the $10,800 level
- $540 Gift Certificate to the Museum Store
The program and benefits are subject to change at any time.
Current List of 1654 members in formation
Jon Stevens, Chair, 1654 Society
Terri B. and Scott K. Akman
Honey Kessler Amado
Anonymous
Bruce Arbit
Gail Asper, O.C.,O.M., LL.D. and Michael Peterson
The Baelen Family
Philip Balderston
Steven and Ilene Berman
Bryna Berman
Bruce Bierman and William Secord
Julian A. Brodsky and Lois G Brodsky
Merrill and Lloyd E. Brotman
Sandy & Sid Brown
Irving and Nancy Chase
Steve and Sandy Cozen
Barbara B. Cutler and Jonathan J. Cutler
Betsy and Philip Darivoff
Dr. Scott Dorfner and Tinamarie Dorfner
Jay and Bonnie A. Eisner
Kenneth M. Endelson
Diane and Kenneth Feinberg
Linda Freimark and Robert F. Doyle
Dr. Anita Friedman and Igor Tartakovsky
Gary and Kristin Friedman
Dr. Misha Galperin
Tracy and Marc Ginsburg
Richard J. and Linda B. Glazer
The Joseph B. Glossberg Foundation
Bruce and Nadine Goldenberg
Gwen D. Goodman
Steven S. and Ilanit Goodman
Andrew and Mindy Heyer
Alan J. Hoffman and Dr. Julie Goldman
Edward and Susan Hoffman
Deanne & Arnold Kaplan Foundation
Amy and Dr. Barnard Kaplan
Thomas & Elissa Katz Family Philanthropic Fund
Sharon and Joseph Kestenbaum
Andrew Klaber and Jacqueline Klaber
Elaine J. Klawans and Alan J. Klawans
Rae M. Krelitz
Ellyn and Seth Lehr
Rabbi Robert S. Leib Discretionary Fund
Donald S.Leibowitz and Karen Brodsky Philanthropic Fund at the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Mercer
Joye and Bruce Lesser
Michael and Andrea Leven
Miriam G. Mandell
Peter Mark
Sandra and David Marshall
Barbara and Christopher M. Matos
Barbara and David Messer
Anthony and Miraldina Meyer
Linda and Laddie Montague
Hilarie and Mitchell Morgan
Jessica and Jason Morgan
Ellen and Mark Oster
Dr. Ronald A. and Toni Paul
Dr. Michael and Barbara Perilstein
Phyllis Meloff and Larry Pitt
Sara and Mario Rafalin
Dr. Theodore Robinson
Sally and Edwin Rosenthol
Lyn M. Ross
Dr. Marc and Barbara Rothman
Laury Saligman
Sherrie R. Savett Esq.
Selma Savitz, in memory of Samuel J. Savitz
Mimi and Allan Schneirov
Jennifer and Brett Schulman
Charlotte and Joel Schwartz
Lisa S. Roberts and David Seltzer
Paula and Andy Shoyer
Sandra N. Silverman and Richard D. Gorelick
Tara and Jeff Skolnik
Meredith and Daniel Slawe
Lindy Snider
Garrett Snider
Diane and Marc Spilker
Jo and Rob Steinhart
Jon and Meredith Stevens
Michael and Perri Swift
Laurie Wagman
Sharon and Paul Waimberg
Judith E. Wolf and Howard J. Eisen
Joseph S. Zuritsky