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November 2023 by D S
Has a lot more potential. Jews are some of the most accomplished and generous people in America; I am sure the museum could be better. I don’t think the “story telling” part of the museum works. The best part, by far, is the Hall of Fame on the ground level. That should probably be most of the museum; seeing artifacts from famous Jews, would be a great way to instill Jewish Pride, and allow for non-Jews to better understand just how many people they know and love are Jewish.
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November 2023 by Allora Studios
Got myself a kippah. The gentleman working was friendly and attentive. Had a nice conversation with a younger gentleman who was asking for surveys after exiting the shop.
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October 2023 by Andrew Ullman
I can't believe what I saw and learned starting on the fourth floor. I have to come back to continue. It's an amazing museum teaching Judism in America. I am from downtown so I am looking forward to getting educated more about the city and Judism.
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August 2023 by Noam Sarfati
Just enough for a brief walk through Jewish history in thr US that leaves an appetite to research further.
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August 2023 by Isaac and Maphi Payton
There really wasn't much that you couldn't find in some history book. There are not a whole lot of items to see, and even fewer hands on items for kids. There is one wagon trail setup for kids but that's about it. Everything else is geared toward adults and older teenagers. Most of it is just text on walls with pictures. It was interesting but not worth a second visit. The attached picture is pretty much what most of it looked like. Another thing that was a bit annoying was that on the west side of the building is giant text that says "Come on in we're free." We went in on Monday and they said we had to come back on Thursday because the museum is closed except for weekends.
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August 2023 by Daniel Marks
This is a very intelligently organized museum. It was extremely interesting and the guide was excellent.
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June 2023 by Darlene P. Campos
This museum was at the top of my to-see list for my Philadelphia trip. It is so informative and interactive. You will learn loads and loads of Jewish American history. It is a large museum and there is a lot to see. It is free entry but they take donations. The gift shop in the back is well stocked and has lots of options. I had an amazing time here. I spent about two and half hours and the time was well spent.
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April 2023 by Tommy Taylor
Only open weekends. Came from NC to see this place. You would think a public museum would be open to the public during the week too. Some people work weekends.
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February 2023 by Mx.Enigma
A lot of history, if you’re into American Jewry and their diaspora, there’s many gaps in the museum like broken video stills and empty alleyways and a unique selection of merchandise. Also free on the weekends!
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December 2022 by Mandi Magnuson-Hung
It's a solid museum with good information and well written text. There's a lot of different themes and that's great. Two thumbs up on the 2nd and 3rd floors. That said, the top floor is a bit dire in terms of engagement. I don't need a touch screen at every stop, but all the objects are the same (documents) and that was tough for me. As a side note, our ticket for entry said the museum was open until 5pm (Dec 24) but we were informed upon entry at 2pm that they were closing at 3pm. I'm not going to Karen out, just a note to double check your ticketing software.
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December 2022 by Karen F.
Don't forget their online (and physical) gift shop for great Hannukah gifts.I love this place!
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December 2022 by Alexis B.
The Weitzman tells the story of American Jews, and it does it well. They suggest you start on the top floor and make your way down, and if you do, you experience the story of American Jews chronologically to the present. It's so much larger than I was expecting - and therefore very comprehensive! I've been to quite a few other Jewish historical sites in the US (small Jewish history museums and historic synagogues like Tuoro in Newport, Congregation Mickve Israel in Savannah, Lloyd Street Synagogue in Baltimore, Eldridge Street Synagogue in the Lower East Side of Manhattan), but rarely have I been to such a comprehensive museum showcasing the Jewish American experience. Whether you know a lot or a little about the history of Judaism and Jews in America (and regardless of whether you are Jewish yourself), there's a lot to be learned in this museum! When did the first Jews arrive in America? Were they Ashkenazi or Sephardic? Why did they come? Where were the first synagogues established in the United States? Were American Jews slaveholders? Did they fight for/support the Union or the Confederacy? How many American Jews have served in the military and served in American wars? These are all questions explored by the museum, and I respect that they don't try to give visitors the easy answers (sometimes the answers to these questions are complicated and the museum trusts its visitors with complex ideas and often conflicting ones)! The museum isn't all heavy, either. There are areas of the museum dedicated to Jewish summer camp, early Jewish film comedy (Marx brothers), and later Jewish film (Barbra in Yentl and Princess Bride were highlighted). The museum has a great gift shop as well. Overall, I had a great time and I recommend it to anyone who is interested in Jewish American history.
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July 2022 by John B.
The museum offers free advance registration online, though it didn't seem like walking in was difficult even on a summer weekend. There is a security screening as seemed to be the case with an awful lot of places around here for some reason, though in this case, there may be legitimate safety concerns. The structure holds five open levels, including a basement, the upper three of which are devoted to a chronological history of the Jewish diaspora in America, plus the main level which is mostly the entrance and a gift shop and the basement which houses a theater and a spread of political advocacy. This was hardly my first crack at American or Jewish history, but I did find the content thought-provoking. The specific geography of early settlements was impactful to me given how many of the places described I've visited, and using the outsider experience of Jews as a window through which to view American history is interesting. Some things I was just surprised to find in this context. I know what Seltzer water is, but it hadn't ever occurred to me what an obviously Jewish name for it that is. Likewise, MGM didn't jump out at me, but the second M is Meyer. I was a bit surprised not to see more on the history of Jewish intellectualism, but perhaps I missed something in my relatively quick pass (an hour or so). Antisemitism and the history surrounding World War II are certainly covered, but not to the exclusion of other history. Likewise, Israel gets some mentions but isn't a huge focus. I might have waited in line for Independence Hall or a number of other things instead, but I was happy to have spent some time here.
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July 2022 by Suzanne A.
This museum is a hidden gem! It focuses on American history through the Jewish experience. It has wonderful permanent exhibits as well as special exhibits. The museum has four floors. The story starts with the 1600-1700s on the 4th floor and works it's way down through time. The exhibits have lots of interesting artifacts. Each floor has a hands on area for children. It was fun to look through the things in the later 20th Century. I've been here several times and always learn something new! Bathrooms are located on some of the floors and the basement. Each floor has seating areas outside the exhibit. Both stairs and elevators are available. The gift shop is on the main level. There was a good variety of souvenirs-books, jewelry, etc The museum had good air conditioning, was clean and easy to navigate.
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February 2022 by Tammy Rafaeli (Tamtam)
Whether you are Jewish or not , this museum is great !
