The Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History in Philadelphia Could Become the 22nd Smithsonian Museum

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. (December 11, 2024) – Today, America is one step closer to having a Smithsonian museum dedicated to the American Jewish experience, as President Joe Biden signed a bill to explore establishing Philadelphia’s Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History (The Weitzman) as an official Smithsonian museum.

The “Commission to Study the Potential Transfer of the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History to the Smithsonian Institution Act,”will create a Commission of Inquiry led by eight individuals with relevant expertise to study the feasibility of transferring the Weitzman to the Smithsonian Institution. Once formed, the commission has two years to deliver a report, plan, and recommendations to the President and Congress.

The bipartisan bill, H.R.7764, unanimously passed in the House on September 23 and Senate on December 3. It was introduced in the House by Rep. Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), Rep. Turner (R-OH), Rep. Boyle (D-PA) and Rep. Miller (R-OH), and in the Senate by Sen. Casey (D-PA) and Sen. Collins (R-ME).

The country’s leading Jewish organizations, including the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, Anti-Defamation League, Jewish Federations of North America, and the American Jewish Committee have already voiced their support for this effort.

“America’s fundamental value since our inception — that we are all created equal with infinite value, dignity, and uniqueness — is also a core Jewish value,” says Philip M. Darivoff, the Weitzman’s Chair Emeritus. “All Americans should understand the inextricable, indelible, and important links between our nation and its Jewish communities. This Smithsonian Museum for American Jewish history, heritage, and culture would counter antisemitism at a crucial time and celebrate the four centuries of Jewish life in America.”

The Smithsonian is the world’s largest museum and research complex. Several of its 21 museums — including the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the National Museum of the American Indian, and the National Museum of the American Latino (as well as a potential National Museum of Asian Pacific American History and Culture that is currently under study) — explore and educate about America’s minority communities. The American Jewish community merits a Smithsonian museum.

The Weitzman was established in 1976 as the only museum in the nation dedicated exclusively to exploring and interpreting the American Jewish experience. It is currently a private non-profit and is maintained primarily through generous charitable support. The museum preserves, explores, and celebrates the history of Jews in America. It proudly stewards one of the largest collections of Jewish Americana in the nation. The Weitzman has been in its 100,000-square-foot James Polshek-designed building on Philadelphia’s Independence Mall since 2010.

At this moment in time, the rise in antisemitism in America over recent years became so alarming that the White House issued The U.S. National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism in May 2023, urging understanding, awareness, and education about both antisemitism and Jewish American heritage in museums, libraries, and arts and cultural institutions, and through vehicles such as Jewish American Heritage Month, which The Weitzman leads for the nation.

Learn more.

Additional Resources:
Museum images; credit lines enclosed

• White House press release
• Debbie Wasserman Schultz’s press release, with quotes from co-sponsors, upon Senate passage
• Bob Casey’s press release upon Senate passage
• The Weitzman’s initial press release, following the bill’s introduction
• Video of floor statements prior to House passage

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. It proudly stewards one of the largest collections of Jewish Americana in the nation. 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

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