Mission: To preserve and interpret regional American Jewish history and culture. Located in East Baltimore, where Maryland Jewish history began, the museum holds more than 1 million photographs, papers and objects in addition to changing exhibits. The building is situated between two landmarks that were saved by the museum - the Lloyd Street Synagogue, built in 1845, and the B'nai Israel Synagogue, built in 1876.
Latest accomplishment: In March, the museum more than doubled its size with the opening of the two-level, 12,000-square-foot Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Building. The $2.3 million addition contains a 2,000-square-foot gallery, visitor-orientation center, expanded library, entrance court, staff offices and increased storage space. Also in March, the museum opened two exhibits - "Bridges to Zion: The People of Maryland and the Land of Israel," on view through Nov. 29, and "The Eighteen: Blessings at the Heart of Jewish Worship," through Sept. 13.
On the horizon: Sept. 27 through Dec. 6: the exhibition "And I Shall Dwell Among Them," historic synagogues of the world, photographed by Neil Folberg. And opening in December: "The Synagogues of Maryland, 1845-1945," and "Remembering Luboml: Images of a Jewish Community."
About the museum: Membership: 1,950 households. Attendance: 16,000 to 18,000 annually. Operating budget: $700,000. Endowment: $5.7 million.
Where and when: 15 Lloyd St. Hours: Noon to 4 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, Sunday. Research visits by appointment. Call 410-732-6400.
Ira Askin, president of the board of directors: "It has been my privilege to be president of the museum at the time we completed the new wings, because they are impressive in themselves and they represent our great faith in the future of the Jewish Museum and of the coming revitalization of the neighborhood."
Members of the board
Constance R. Caplan
Jonathan Cordish
Rosalee Davison
Faith Dean
Alan S. Edelman
Gail Fishman
Jackie Glassgold
Gloria Harris
Eunice Heyman
Steven Himmelreich
Peter Hoffberger
Ann Kahan
Larry Kamanitz
Clementine L. Kaufman
Charles Klein
Michael Kuntz
Judy Langenthal
Richard Lehmann
Dr. David Liebman
Martha Macks
Marsha Manekin
Mark Neumann
Lee Rosenberg
Jim Rothschild
Frederica Saxon
Isidore Schnaper
Barbara Spodak
Melvin Steinberg
Pub Date: 8/09/98