The Weitzman’s Annual Being ____ at Christmas Event Invites People of All Beliefs to Visit the Museum for Family-Friendly Day of Fun and Learning

When: Sunday, December 25 at 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. ET

What:  Being ___ at Christmas

Every Christmas Day, Philadelphia’s Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History (The Weitzman) hosts a day of family-friendly fun when little else is open for business.

Being ___ at Christmas went virtual for the last three years, but for 2022, it is back in person! In past years, 1,000 people visited the building on December 25.

From top to bottom, the Museum will be immersed in performances and activities for visitors of all ages.

Guests can expect:

• An open house, festival atmosphere
• Musical performances by diverse artists
• Storytime
• Sensory-friendly play zone with a foam floor, Legos, blocks and puzzles
• Classic seasonal family favorite movies throughout the day on the theater’s big screen
• Make-and-take craft activities
• Free street parking (throughout Philadelphia that day) and plenty of stroller parking inside the building
• Shopping in the Museum Store
• BYO food is welcome and a dining area will be set up

This event began as “Being Jewish at Christmas” and has since evolved into this more inclusive version that welcomes people of all beliefs.

Performance Schedule:

10:15 – 11:15 am: Interactive Kids Concert with Lolly Hopwood
Lolly Hopwood uses bubbles, balloons, parachutes, puppets, pompoms, shakers, scarves and more so the kids can really get involved! Lolly will be joined by a musician who will play harmonica, trombone, banjo, keytar, autoharp, and other fun instruments. All Ages.
Video preview

11:30 am – 12:15 pm: Philadelphia Suns Lion Dancers
The Philadelphia Suns is a 30 year old community organization based in Chinatown, just seven blocks from the Museum. The group will demonstrate the 1000+ year old Chinese Lion Dance, traditionally performed during the Chinese New Year and other special occasions. All Ages. Video preview

12:30 – 1:15 pm: MoveMakers Philly Educational Performance
MoveMakers, a group dedicated to teaching hip hop dance vocabulary from the 1970s to present day, will lead an interactive workshop and performance featuring instructors as well as student participants. All Ages.Video preview

1:30 – 2:15 pm: Percussion Workshop by Joseph Tayoun
A second generation Lebanese-American with 30+ years of experience playing percussion, Joseph Tayoun will lead a workshop for kids ages 8+ and adults.
Video preview

2:15 – 3:00 pm: Sing and Dance Along with Benny the Vildachaya

Benjamin Laden, educator, multi-instrumentalist, and band leader of groups like “Benny and the Vildachayas”, “The Wild Bohemians”, will lead all in a participatory sing and move-along set of Jewish and non-Jewish musical fun. All Ages.

Where:  The Weitzman, 101 South Independence Mall East (Corner of 5th & Market)

Admission is $10 for kids and $15 for Adults in advance; $20 day-of; Museum Members get in for free.

Worth noting:

The Museum and its popular store will be open all day, from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Christmas Day.

The Museum will be open the week between Christmas and New Years Eve (December 23 to December 31).

Visit http://theweitzman.org/dec25 to learn more.

High-Resolution Images (from previous years); Credit: Mario Manzoni

ABOUT THE WEITZMAN NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AMERICAN JEWISH HISTORY
Established in 1976, and situated on Philadelphia’s Independence Mall, the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History is the only museum in the nation dedicated exclusively to exploring and interpreting the American Jewish experience. The Weitzman 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 Jewish experience and the freedoms to which Americans aspire. For more information, visit: https://theweitzman.org.

 

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