Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History Hosts the First Show of Author Nikki Schreiber’s Work

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. (November 11, 2024) – The Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History (The Weitzman) will debut a special installation of author and storyteller Nikki Schreiber’s work. Her project, Humans of Judaism, which began as a social media phenomenon, has grown to populate the pages of a new book and now to the walls of a prominent museum.

In 2014, Nikki Schreiber created @humansofjudaism, a social media community dedicated to sharing positive and uplifting Jewish stories. A decade later, what began as a way for Nikki to honor her father’s life and legacy, has expanded to become an anchor of hope and pride for Jews across the diaspora.

Today, @humansofjudaism has hundreds of thousands of followers across multiple platforms. It is a space for sharing everything—personal stories, Jewish history, Holocaust education—that serves as a vital source of pride, offering readers a wellspring of hope and joy to return to time and time again.

Now, the brand is transcending the phone screen with the release of the HUMANS OF JUDAISM (Publication Date: October 22, 2024, $30.00), a highly visual, inspirational gift book of 200+ Jewish stories. It is a celebration of Jewish life and community and a keepsake for the Jewish community and readers of all cultural backgrounds to cherish.

On December 1, Humans of Judaism comes to life as a photography installation at The Weitzman.

Running through February 1, this special installation in the museum’s second-floor atrium will feature a curated selection of photographs and personal stories, showcasing the evolution of Schreiber’s project—from digital screens to printed pages to the museum gallery. Attendees will encounter inspiring figures from diverse backgrounds. 

Highlights include Nissim Black (born Damian Jamohl Black), a Hasidic recording artist based in Israel; Aly Raisman, the Jewish American gold medalist gymnast who chose “Hava Nagila” as the floor music for her first-place performance and went on to become the first U.S. woman to win gold in the category; and Sam Salz, the Texas A&M running back and currently the only Orthodox Jew on an NCAA Division I football team.

“I’m truly honored to see a Humans of Judaism installation on display at The Weitzman,” said Humans of Judaism founder Nikki Schreiber. “This collection is more than just our history; it’s a treasure trove of voices that celebrates our resilience, tradition, and shared humanity. My deepest gratitude to The Weitzman for creating a space to tell these inspiring stories.”

“Nikki’s Humans of Judaism project is one of the most moving and important social media accounts in the Jewish world today,” said Emily August, Chief Public Engagement Officer at The Weitzman. “Her work, like our Museum, tells the stories of real Jewish people, highlighting their joys and their struggles, always with warmth and a sense of hope for our people. It is fitting for The Weitzman to host the first in-person showcase of her work.”

Schreiber will appear at an opening reception on December 1 at 1 p.m.; free tickets with an $18 suggested donation are available here.  She will sign her book and mingle with attendees. Some of her photographic subjects may also attend. December 1 is also the date of the Weitzman’s Nosh & Shop Hanukkah Market, held on the building’s first floor.

This is the fourth special installation that the Weitzman has mounted in 2024. The first featured portraits of the hostages taken by Hamas on October 7, 2023. The second installation featured photos and essays by Central High School students, and most recently, the Museum hosted a limited engagement of The Moment the Music Stood Still: The Nova Music Festival pop-up exhibition.

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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. Standing as a joyful bulwark against antisemitism, bigotry, and hate, The Weitzman serves 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. www.theweitzman.org

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Nikki Schreiber created the Humans of Judaism Instagram account in 2014 as a way to honor her father’s memory, and as a space for sharing positive and uplifting Jewish stories. Today, Humans of Judaism reaches millions of people around the world and across all social platforms. 

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