AMERICAN JEWISH HISTORY

National Museum of American Jewish History
55 North 5th Street
Independence Mall East
Philadelphia, PA 19106-2197
Phone: (215)923-3811
Fax:  (215)923-0763
Hours: Monday-Thursday 10:00am-5:00pm, Friday 10:00am-3:00pm, Sunday 12:00pm-5:00pm
CLOSED MAJOR JEWISH HOLIDAYS
Admission: Adults: $3.00; Seniors, Students, Kids over 6: $2.00

The National Museum of American Jewish History, located on Independence Mall, is one of the most highly regarded and well-constructed institutions of its kind.  Established in 1976, the museum is dedicated to gathering, protecting, and studying artifacts which pertain solely to the experience of being Jewish in America.

Visitors to the museum are greeted by “Religious Liberty,” a twenty-five-foot marble monument created by Sir Moses Jacob Ezekiel and donated to the United States in support of the constitutional right of religious freedom.  The statue is in the shape of a female figure holding the Constitution in one hand and flanked on one side by a handsome youth bearing the symbolic burning lamp of religion.  The monument is quite striking and provides a powerful first impression of the Museum.

Inside, you’ll find over ten thousand artifacts chronicling over three hundred years of American Jewish life.  Its appeal is not limited by religious background, due to the fact that it’s also dedicated to issues of American ethnic identity, history, art, and cultures, making it pertinent and accessible to every walk of life.  Its location near historic Mikveh Israel adds to the experience, thanks in part to the wonderful guided tours offered by the Museum.

Another draw is the permanent exhibition entitled “Creating American Jews.”  This is a hallmark of cultural achievement and excellently illuminates the historical choices that have shaped Jewish identity in the United States.  The National Museum of American History is one of the nation’s best, and is highly recommended during your stay in the city, regardless of your religious or ethnic background.

Walking tours arranged by calling (215)923-5984