Museum of Jewish Heritage, New York City

You'd think a museum about any religion would be a pretty boring affair, but before you dismiss this place let me say it was probably one of the best museums I have ever been to.

Purpose built just off the north west corner of Battery Park, they have obviously gone to great lengths (and cost) to set this place up, with atmospheric lighting, slate walls and shiny chrome escalators everywhere.

The exhibit starts off Pre-War, looking at the lives and habits of several Jewish families. As you negotiate the maze of corridors and rooms, it takes a more sinister twist describing the rise of the Nazi party and the implications for Jews in Europe. Each room represents a progressive year, and the exhibits are backed up with film footage of the war - obviously culminating with a detailed look at the holocaust.

A masterclass in museumry. (I made that last word up).

As an add-on there is a final exhibit about participation in the Second World War, with uniforms, guns & other paraphernalia they have collected together.

Regardless of whether or not you are interested in Jewish history (and I'm not to be honest), this place is definitely worth a stop if you're in New York for more than just a few days.

$10 entrance.

This is a museum full of history about the jewish people, before, during and after the holocaust.

Definitely some people will feel uncomfortable, something that must be expected as it is a museum that focusing on a genocide. Its very informative of course although you may not learn something you don’t already know but the exhibition goes through timeline and I always like that.

I liked the part that tells the story about their story in USA before the holocaust, there is also a floor dedicated to the Holocaust which is good but as I have visited the Holocaust Museum in Washington DC a few days earlier I got bored. At the final floor you can items and info about Israel, the life of jewish in USA today etc

Although I prefer the one in DC this one has very interesting design, the entrance fee is $12 (free on Wednesdays 16.00-20.00). It is open Sunday-Tuesday, Thursday 10.00-17.45, Wednesday 10.00-20.00, Friday 10.00-17.00 and it is closed on Saturdays, jewish holidays and thanksgiving day.

This wonderful museum focuses on the story of the jewish people with emphasis on the Jews in America. There are also exhibits on the Holocaust and the Diaspora. It is one of the cities newsest museums, opening its doors in 1997. A new wing was opened in 2003.
The new wing features and auditorium and galleries for temporary exhibits. Recent special exhibitions included Ours to Fight For: American Jews During the Second World War. Also, Bukharan Odyssey. This focused on the Jews of Uzbekistan.
And finally, Life in Shadows: Hidden Children and the Holocaust. This poignant show focuses on the youngest victims of the holocaust and the attempts made to hide them from the Nazi Horrors.

Currently, admission is $10.00 for adults. Please check the website or call as rates may have risen.

The Jewish Museum of New York was first established in 1904, when the Jewish Theological Seminary received a gift of 26 Jewish ceremonial art objects from Judge Mayer Sulzberger. In 1944, Frieda Schiff Warburg, widow of philanthropist Felix Warburg, donated the family mansion (located at Fifth Avenue and 92nd Street in the middle of Museum Mile in New York City) for use as the museum. The museum is still located there, and now displays a collection 28,000 objects including paintings, sculpture, archaeological artifacts, and many other pieces important to the preservation of Jewish history and culture.

The Jewish Museum is not a Holocaust museum. For some reason, I hear a lot of people think that it is and then when it's not, they become angry. I don't want that to happen to you. Really, though, if you were thinking that, you shouldn't assume things that way. It's very . . . I dunno . . . unpleasant. So, that is what it's not - it is a celebration of Jewish culture and famous Jewish artists. . . and quite pleasant. When I went, there was an exhibition on Maurice Sendak (Where the Wild Things Are author) that was really well put together. Admission is ten dollars; little ones get in for free.

This museum is dedicated to preserving and interpreting Jewish culture. The collection has over 27,000 works of art and artifacts and spans over 4 millennia of Jewish history.

The photo shows a self portrait by Marc Chagall done in 1914. It was on exhibit at the Jewish Museum.