This program was held on April 12, 2021

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The country’s largest monument to religious liberty stands in front of the National Museum of American Jewish History and is the focus of our newest Virtual Exhibition. Join us for this program as special guest curator, Samantha Baskind, and NMAJH’s chief curator, Josh Perelman, converse about the Religious Liberty exhibition. Baskind and Perelman will discuss the statue’s history and meaning; its sculptor, Moses Ezekiel; and the monument’s journey from Rome to Philadelphia and from Fairmount Park to Independence National Historical Park. They’ll also talk about how the concept of religious liberty has inspired generations of Jewish Americans. The panelists will take time at the end of the program to answer questions from those in attendance.

About the Guest Curator

Dr. Samantha Baskind, Professor of Art History at Cleveland State University, is the author of five books, most recently The Warsaw Ghetto in American Art and Culture, and co-editor of The Jewish Graphic Novel: Critical Approaches, the foundational volume in the field. She has published over 100 articles and reviews in museum catalogues, academic journals, edited volumes, encyclopedias, and the popular press. She served as editor for U.S. art for the 22-volume revised edition of the Encyclopedia Judaica and is currently series editor of “Dimyonot: Jews and the Cultural Imagination,” published by Penn State University Press. Dr Baskind if presently writing the first book-length study of Moses Jacob Ezekiel.

Ways to Watch

Facebook: Look for the LIVE post on the Museum’s Facebook page at 1 pm ET. You do not need a Facebook account to view the program.

NMAJH website: A little before the program start time, the livestream will also be available at the top of this page. You will be prompted to enter your email address. Please note that you may need to refresh your screen and press “play” on the video—the static image will be replaced with the live feed before the program starts. Please note that audience Q&A is only available on Facebook and Zoom during the live program.

Zoom: Registration is required to receive the link–click here. There are a limited number of Zoom slots available on a first-come, first-served basis. Zoom will cut off registration when the limit has been reached. Should that occur, please use one of the other methods listed above instead—they are all free and have unlimited capacity.