Expanded Jewish history museum opens in Philly

After 34 years in cramped quarters, but with big dreams, a museum opening a new building in the heart of Philadelphia's historic district aims to tell for the first time the complete story of the Jewish experience in America.

Plans to expand the National Museum of American Jewish History were a decade in the making. Last weekend's grand opening kicked off with a gala featuring Bette Midler and Jerry Seinfeld, followed by a dedication starring Vice President Joe Biden as keynote speaker.

Special access days for museum members and donors are scheduled before the space opens to the public on Friday.

ABOUT THE MUSEUM

The 100,000-square-foot, five-story museum's mission is to explore 350 years of Jewish life in the United States, with themes of freedom, civil rights, prejudice and assimilation.

"We have in this country many Holocaust museums and memorials, so that chapter is one that we've told appropriately quite completely," museum president Michael Rosenzweig said. "The chapter that we tell in this museum, however, is one that hasn't been as well told."

The striking terra-cotta and glass building is just steps from the National Constitution Center, Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. The $150 million facility replaces a small brick building a block away that had a scant 40 objects on display when it opened for the city's 1976 Bicentennial celebrations.

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WHAT YOU'LL SEE

On the first floor, an "Only in America" gallery uses video, audio testimonials and personal belongings to examine the contributions of 18 Jewish Americans - chosen by a public vote - including Estée Lauder, Jonas Salk, Sandy Koufax and Steven Spielberg.

The second, third and fourth floors use films, interactive displays and artifacts to trace the history of the Jewish experience from the arrival of the first Jews in North America in 1654 to the present. The top floor will host rotating exhibits.

A central atrium fills the space with natural light; below ground level are classrooms and a 200-seat auditorium for films, concerts and theater.

Those involved in the project wanted to make the museum a place where all Americans can see the similarities between their own family histories and the Jewish experience. Like all immigrant groups, Jews changed American society, just as America changed Jewish culture.

"It has meaning for everybody, whether you've just come to this country last week or whether you have been here as early as the Dutch inhabited New York," said architect James Polshek.

IF YOU GO

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AMERICAN JEWISH HISTORY

101 South Independence Mall East, Philadelphia

INFO 215-923-3811, nmajh.org

HOURS Beginning Nov. 26, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Friday and 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. Closed Mondays, New Year's Day, the first two days of Passover, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and Thanksgiving.

ADMISSION $12 ($11 ages 13-21)