The Jewish Museum in New York is the largest institution of its kind in the United States and the third largest worldwide, housing an extraordinary collection of Jewish culture, from antiquity to modern and contemporary times. Its holdings range from archaeological artifacts and ceremonial objects to ethnographic collections and artworks by Andy Warhol, Alice Neel, Alex Katz, Adolph Gottlieb, and many others.
History
The museum was founded in 1904, when Judge Mayer Sulzberger donated 26 works of art to the Jewish Theological Seminary. In 1944, philanthropist Frieda Warburg gifted her family mansion on Fifth Avenue to house the permanent collection. Three years later, the museum opened its doors to the public.
The building itself, designed by architect Charles P. H. Gilbert in 1908, is a striking example of French Gothic style and remains one of the most distinctive landmarks on Museum Mile.
Collection
From its modest beginnings with just 26 works, the museum’s collection has grown to more than 26,000 objects. Highlights include:
- Archaeological artifacts, coins, and ethnographic materials.
- Ceremonial objects and ritual art spanning centuries and regions.
- Paintings, sculpture, prints, and contemporary art.
- Judaica rescued from communities destroyed during the Holocaust.
Key acquisitions include:
- The Benguiat Collection (1925), featuring ceremonial art from the Ottoman Empire and Italy.
- The Danzig Collection (1939), transferred to New York to save it from Nazi destruction.
- Over 200 ritual objects received in 1952 through the Jewish Cultural Reconstruction organization, dedicated to restoring artworks looted during World War II.
- More than 6,000 pieces of ceremonial and fine art donated between 1941 and 1965 by Dr. Harry G. Friedman, philanthropist and community leader.
The museum’s permanent exhibition, “Culture and Continuity: The Jewish Journey,” reflects on the shared heritage of Jewish communities across the globe, highlighting both unity and diversity throughout centuries of diaspora.
Education & Innovation
The Jewish Museum is not only a repository of history but also a dynamic educational hub. In 2025, in collaboration with the international architectural firm UNStudio, the museum is reimagining its galleries by combining two floors into a flexible auditorium space.
“The redefined concept will reflect Jewish traditions and diversity in a broader historical context. Lecture halls, studios, and classrooms will give families and visitors new ways to explore Jewish values.” — James S. Snyder, Helen Goldsmith Menschel Director of the Jewish Museum
Visitor Information
📍 Address: 1109 5th Avenue at 92nd Street, New York, NY 10128
🌐 Website: www.thejewishmuseum.org
🎟 Admission: $18 general admission; discounts available
