Fri Sep 20 12:32:25 UTC 2024: ## Jewish Federations Push for Weitzman Museum to Become Smithsonian Institution
**Philadelphia, PA** – The Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) has urged Congressional leaders to support the transfer of the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History in Philadelphia to become a Smithsonian Museum.
In a letter addressed to House Speaker Mike Johnson, Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Majority Leader Steve Scalise, and Minority Whip Katherine Clark, the JFNA emphasized the critical need to preserve and share the contributions of Jewish Americans throughout US history. The proposed legislation would allow the museum to join the Smithsonian Institution.
The Weitzman Museum, established in 1976, has been maintained primarily through private donations. However, JFNA leaders highlighted the urgency of the transfer in light of the recent rise in antisemitism across the country.
“It’s critical, given the antisemitism crisis across our country, that we have a place to shine the light brightly on the contributions made by Jews in United States society throughout history,” stated Karen Paikin Barall, Jewish Federations’ vice president of government relations.
The letter also emphasized the Smithsonian Institution’s commitment to educating the public about diverse communities, citing examples like the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the National Museum of the American Indian, and the National Museum of the American Latino.
“The story of the American Jewish community similarly merits a Smithsonian museum,” the letter stated.
The JFNA referenced the US National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism, issued by the White House in May, which called for increased public education about antisemitism and Jewish American heritage.
“To educate the public about both antisemitism and Jewish American heritage, we need programming in museums, libraries, and arts and cultural institutions,” the letter quoted from the White House strategy.
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