Dear Friends,
This has been a busy week, as we gear up for our 50th Anniversary in 2010. Here are some highlights:
50TH ANNIVERSARY: The Steering Committee for the re-dedication of Lloyd Street Synagogue, chaired by Vice President Jerry Doctrow, met this past Monday to discuss details of the re-dedication. Meanwhile, Anita Kassof, Deb Weiner, and Jennifer Vess sent a full exhibition text to the designers this week, as we prepare for the opening of our new core exhibition, The Synagogue Speaks.
This coming Sunday, volunteers and staff will resume filming for our new video initiative, Stories We Live By. This week, the topic will be Chanukah foods and celebrations. We will be at the Lifebridge Health and Fitness Center and at the JCC in Owings Mills. We have also completed work on our 50th Anniversary logo and tagline, which will appear on our letterhead throughout the anniversary year.
GIFTS AND GRANTS: We are delighted to report that we have received a $9,000 grant from M&T Bank in support of our Museum-School Partnership program and a second grant, also in the amount of $9,000 from the Baltimore National Heritage Area for stabilization of the archaeological excavation in the Lloyd Street Synagogue's 1845 mikveh complex.
Warm thanks to Jason Davidov, son of Museum Docent Howard Davidov and owner of J.D. Outdoors Landscaping. Jason is donating labor and materials to spruce up the plantings and beds in our courtyard and around the Museum. We are very grateful to these generous supporters.
PROGRAMS: Today, the JCC and JMM partnered on a Hands-On Holiday program for Chanukah geared for downtown families of very young children. Young children, along with their parents, caregivers and grandparents were actively engaged in craft activities, songs and stories and a yummy snack all in connection with the upcoming festival. These Hands-On Holiday programs and Tot Shabbat programs are part of the JCC initiative, "JCC Beyond the Borders," funded by the The Jacob & Hilda Blaustein Fund for the Enrichment of Jewish Education.
This Sunday 6 December, 1:00-4:00p.m., the JMM is hosting a special series of free book talks by local authors. At 1:00 p.m. JMM Education Coordinator Lauren Silberman will talk about her book, The Jewish Community of Baltimore. The volume chronicles the history of Jewish Baltimore and features numerous photos from the Museum's collections. At 2:00 p.m., Mark Carp will discuss his new novel, The End of Hell, the story of a man who has experienced life to the fullest as he has seen everything from the storming of Normandy Beach to the bombing of the World Trade Centers in NYC on 9/11/01. And, at 3:00 p.m., Steven Luxemberg will talk about Annie's Ghosts: A Journey into a Family Secret, a non-fiction book that is part detective story, part social history, and part memoir about his mother's decision to hide the existence of a disabled sister. Join us for a stimulating exploration into the nature of family secrecy. For reservations or more information, call 410-732-6400 x 214 or idackmanalon@jewishmuseummd.org.
Also, on Monday 7 December, the JMM and BJC are co-sponsoring with the Baltimore Hebrew Institute (BHI) at Towson University, The Phenomena of Holocaust Denial and the New Antisemitism at 7:00 p.m. in Hawkins Hall. The program features Ephraim Kaye, Director of International Seminars for Educators at Yad Vashem, Israel. The JMM/BJC/ BHI team looks forward to collaborating on many more programs focused on the Shoah. RSVP to lchandler@baltjc.org to receive a parking code for free parking at a nearby lot.
The JMM Program Committee, chaired by JMM Trustee Carol Glusman, met on Tuesday evening to continue discussions on enhancement of the visitor experience at the Museum and to review ideas for new modes of orientation. This was, as usual, a fruitful discussion. Our thanks to all of the participants.
COLLECTIONS: Archivist Jennifer Vess reports that she has reached 94.4% in the archives inventory. Jennifer spent much of this week scanning institutional archive photographs, partly due to a need for images of past LSS archaeology for The Synagogue Speaks. To date we have complete catalog records with attached images for 804 Lloyd Street Synagogue photographs. Jennifer has also been gathering objects, which will be photographed by Shelby for an exhibition interactive for The Synagogue Speaks. Senior Collections Manager Jobi Zink spent time on the paperwork for three outgoing loans this week, including the loan of 14 styrofoam heads to the Gregg Museum of Art and Design at North Carolina State University.
EDUCATION: On Sunday 22 November, the Jewish Downtown Families made their first visit to the Museum in a series of monthly programs. Additionally, a group of 4th graders and their parents from Beth El toured the Museum and participated in the Paving Our Way: Early Maryland Jewish Life, 1632 - 1845 resource kit program. Krieger Schechter Day School 3rd graders participated in their annual field trip on Monday 23 November. During their visit they participated in a scavenger hunt in the Lloyd Street Synagogue and toured Voices of Lombard Street.
VISITORS: On Sunday 29 November, a group of young Russian Jews from EZRA USA, based in New York, toured the Museum. In the afternoon, over 100 people attended a bat mitzvah reception for the Leventer family.
STAFF ACTIVITIES: On Thursday, Lauren Silberman attended the monthly Greater Baltimore History Alliance education and marketing meeting. Deborah Cardin and Jeanette Parmigiani were busy completing the final plans for the December 14th teacher-training workshop, Echoes and Reflections. More than 30 area teachers have registered for this program. Intern Jessica Levine began researching the history of property ownership and occupancy for the six lots comprised in our parcel at the corner of Lloyd and Lombard Streets; intern Nicole Paterson continued to plan for archaeology exhibits in The Synagogue Speaks; and intern Heather Besch began marketing our programs and resources to Jewish organizations throughout metropolitan Baltimore.
Best wishes to one and all for a delightful fall weekend and a peaceful Sabbath.
Avi
Friday, December 4, 2009
Friday, November 20, 2009
New Clip of Immigrant's Trunk performance
Actress Katherine Lyons portrays Ida Rehr in the Leo V. Berger Immigrant's Trunk
Courtesy of videographer Chris Smith
Contact Lauren Silberman, Education and Program Coordinator, at 410.732.6400 x229 or lsilberman@jewishmuseummd.org for more information.
Weekly Report 11.20.09
Dear Friends,
This has been an unusually busy and productive week for the Museum. Here are some highlights:
50th ANNIVERSARY: On Wednesday, Trustees Manuele Wasserman, Sarah Manekin, Carol Sandler, Judy Langenthal, and Duke Zimmerman, staff, and interns involved in the Museum's video interview initiative, Stories We Live By, met for a training session with consultant Jayne Guberman. Pilot interviews will be conducted this coming Sunday at Trader Joe's and later on at a second uptown location. Rachel Kassman convened a steering committee meeting for next year's Purim Pandemonium that included JMM Trustee Jonathan Mogol.
THE SYNAGOGUE SPEAKS: Anita Kassof and Deb Weiner continue to conduct research and to refine the script for our new Core Exhibition at the historic Lloyd Street Synagogue. The project team met this week with the prospective fabrication firm. Intern Nicole Paterson continues to plan for a hands-on archaeology element; staff are also working with Fr. Bob Albright and the CJE to create an interactive card game featuring religious objects. The public opening of The Synagogue Speaks is confirmed for Sunday 21 March; please mark your calendars!
LEADERSHIP: The JMM Finance and Development Committees met jointly on Monday evening to review our current budgets and fundraising progress. The joint committees also began discussion of projections for the coming fiscal year (FY2011).
EDUCATION: On Sunday 15 November, 60+ 6th graders and parents from Congregation Beth Or in Pennsylvania visited the Museum and participated in several programs on immigration. That afternoon, our second group from Kol Ha Lev brought children to experience the resource kit, Paving Our Way: Early Maryland Jewish Life, 1632 - 1845. On Tuesday, a group of 12 adults from Revitz House in Montgomery County toured the Museum, as did groups from the Kaleidoscope program with Roland Park Country School and Atrium Village on Thursday. On Wednesday, Deborah Cardin and Ilene Dackman-Alon participated in American Education Week at Baltimore City partner school Fallstaff Elementary by reading to two separate classes of students
Katherine Lyons portrayed Ida Rehr in the Leo V. Berger Immigrant's Trunk for 40+ 3rd graders at Kreiger Schecter Day School on Thursday and then for a group of 24 3rd graders from Calverton School at the Museum on Friday. The Calverton School group also toured our exhibits.
A group of families attended our regularly scheduled Tot Shabbat program, held in conjunction with the JCC. Our next Tot Shabbat will be on Friday, December 4th and will feature Hands-On-Holiday Chanukah activities. To register, please contact Cindy Neuman at 410.356.5200 x344 or cneuman@jcc.org.
COLLECTIONS: Collections Committee Chair Duke Zimmerman reports that a dozen interesting items have recently been offered to the Museum for possible accession into the collections. Archivist Jenn Vess has completed 91% of the archives inventory and has just finished another new finding aid (we now total 180 finding aids-critical tools for all researchers). Deb Weiner sent two more cemetery lists to the Jewish On-Line Worldwide Burial Registry, a fully-searchable database used by people around the world. They now have 70 percent of the JMM's cemetery listings entered into their system.
STAFF ACTIVITIES: Deborah Cardin and Deb Weiner met with Thomas Howell and Patricia Anderson at the Maryland Historical Society to discuss possible joint publication projects. Education and program staff met with Molly Ross of Nana Projects to refine plans for our winter break family program taking place on 30 December. Nana Projects will be leading a shadow puppetry workshop using images from our Voices of Lombard Street exhibition as a backdrop. The program is designed for children aged 5-12.
This week, intern Jessica Levine has been researching the history of our lot at the corner of Lloyd and Lombard Streets. Jessica started with our in-house records and will be at the Maryland Room of the Enoch Pratt Free Library today. Holocaust Educator Jeanette Parmagiani spent time arranging speaking engagements for Holocaust survivors, doing preparation work for Lessons of the Shoah, the Holocaust Denial program at Towson (7 December), and a workshop at JMM (14 December).
Jobi Zink and I conferred with community leader Neil Gordon from Howard County on a prospective exhibition on Israel at the Howard County Library. On Tuesday, Anita Kassof and I met with Trustee Len Weinberg and architect John Srygley to brainstorm about scenarios for future expansion.
Program Director Ilene Dackman-Alon attended the Israel Education & Engagement Summit this past Monday evening which was held at the Park Heights JCC. Israel educators Michael Wegier and Jonny Ariel spoke to the summit about ways to engage American youth to care about Israel. Ilene facilitated a roundtable discussion on ways to engage youth through arts and culture. Ilene also attended "Knit One Learn Two" at Chizuk Amuno led by Melton educator Judy Meltzer. And, Education Coordinator Lauren Silberman attended the annual meeting and awards ceremony for Preservation Maryland at the Maryland Club on Wednesday 18 November.
That was the week that was. Best wishes to everyone for a peaceful Sabbath and an enjoyable fall weekend.
Avi
This has been an unusually busy and productive week for the Museum. Here are some highlights:
50th ANNIVERSARY: On Wednesday, Trustees Manuele Wasserman, Sarah Manekin, Carol Sandler, Judy Langenthal, and Duke Zimmerman, staff, and interns involved in the Museum's video interview initiative, Stories We Live By, met for a training session with consultant Jayne Guberman. Pilot interviews will be conducted this coming Sunday at Trader Joe's and later on at a second uptown location. Rachel Kassman convened a steering committee meeting for next year's Purim Pandemonium that included JMM Trustee Jonathan Mogol.
THE SYNAGOGUE SPEAKS: Anita Kassof and Deb Weiner continue to conduct research and to refine the script for our new Core Exhibition at the historic Lloyd Street Synagogue. The project team met this week with the prospective fabrication firm. Intern Nicole Paterson continues to plan for a hands-on archaeology element; staff are also working with Fr. Bob Albright and the CJE to create an interactive card game featuring religious objects. The public opening of The Synagogue Speaks is confirmed for Sunday 21 March; please mark your calendars!
LEADERSHIP: The JMM Finance and Development Committees met jointly on Monday evening to review our current budgets and fundraising progress. The joint committees also began discussion of projections for the coming fiscal year (FY2011).
EDUCATION: On Sunday 15 November, 60+ 6th graders and parents from Congregation Beth Or in Pennsylvania visited the Museum and participated in several programs on immigration. That afternoon, our second group from Kol Ha Lev brought children to experience the resource kit, Paving Our Way: Early Maryland Jewish Life, 1632 - 1845. On Tuesday, a group of 12 adults from Revitz House in Montgomery County toured the Museum, as did groups from the Kaleidoscope program with Roland Park Country School and Atrium Village on Thursday. On Wednesday, Deborah Cardin and Ilene Dackman-Alon participated in American Education Week at Baltimore City partner school Fallstaff Elementary by reading to two separate classes of students
Katherine Lyons portrayed Ida Rehr in the Leo V. Berger Immigrant's Trunk for 40+ 3rd graders at Kreiger Schecter Day School on Thursday and then for a group of 24 3rd graders from Calverton School at the Museum on Friday. The Calverton School group also toured our exhibits.
A group of families attended our regularly scheduled Tot Shabbat program, held in conjunction with the JCC. Our next Tot Shabbat will be on Friday, December 4th and will feature Hands-On-Holiday Chanukah activities. To register, please contact Cindy Neuman at 410.356.5200 x344 or cneuman@jcc.org.
COLLECTIONS: Collections Committee Chair Duke Zimmerman reports that a dozen interesting items have recently been offered to the Museum for possible accession into the collections. Archivist Jenn Vess has completed 91% of the archives inventory and has just finished another new finding aid (we now total 180 finding aids-critical tools for all researchers). Deb Weiner sent two more cemetery lists to the Jewish On-Line Worldwide Burial Registry, a fully-searchable database used by people around the world. They now have 70 percent of the JMM's cemetery listings entered into their system.
STAFF ACTIVITIES: Deborah Cardin and Deb Weiner met with Thomas Howell and Patricia Anderson at the Maryland Historical Society to discuss possible joint publication projects. Education and program staff met with Molly Ross of Nana Projects to refine plans for our winter break family program taking place on 30 December. Nana Projects will be leading a shadow puppetry workshop using images from our Voices of Lombard Street exhibition as a backdrop. The program is designed for children aged 5-12.
This week, intern Jessica Levine has been researching the history of our lot at the corner of Lloyd and Lombard Streets. Jessica started with our in-house records and will be at the Maryland Room of the Enoch Pratt Free Library today. Holocaust Educator Jeanette Parmagiani spent time arranging speaking engagements for Holocaust survivors, doing preparation work for Lessons of the Shoah, the Holocaust Denial program at Towson (7 December), and a workshop at JMM (14 December).
Jobi Zink and I conferred with community leader Neil Gordon from Howard County on a prospective exhibition on Israel at the Howard County Library. On Tuesday, Anita Kassof and I met with Trustee Len Weinberg and architect John Srygley to brainstorm about scenarios for future expansion.
Program Director Ilene Dackman-Alon attended the Israel Education & Engagement Summit this past Monday evening which was held at the Park Heights JCC. Israel educators Michael Wegier and Jonny Ariel spoke to the summit about ways to engage American youth to care about Israel. Ilene facilitated a roundtable discussion on ways to engage youth through arts and culture. Ilene also attended "Knit One Learn Two" at Chizuk Amuno led by Melton educator Judy Meltzer. And, Education Coordinator Lauren Silberman attended the annual meeting and awards ceremony for Preservation Maryland at the Maryland Club on Wednesday 18 November.
That was the week that was. Best wishes to everyone for a peaceful Sabbath and an enjoyable fall weekend.
Avi
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Education Video Update: Tot Shabbat and Immigrant's Trunk
The JMM has been hosting Tot Shabbat along with the Jewish Community Center on several Friday mornings. Here is some video from a recent Tot Shabbat program.
Interested in attending? We will have more Tot Shabbats, along with candlelighting, songs, Kiddush, and challah snack on Fridays, November 20, December 4 (also Hands on Holidays Chanukah!), and December 18th from 10:45 - 11:15am at the Museum (15 Lloyd Street / Baltimore 21202). Admission is free! Just rsvp to Cindy Neuman at cneuman@jcc.org or 410.356.5200 x344
One of our most popular programs is the Leo V. Berger Immigrant's Trunk: Living History Performance which features professional actors portraying actual Jewish immigrants to Baltimore at the turn of the 20th century. In this short clip, actress Katherine Lyons portrays Ida Rehr, who discusses becoming an American citizen. To find out about reserving this program, please contact Lauren Silberman at lsilberman@jewishmuseummd.org or 410.732.6400 x229.
Interested in attending? We will have more Tot Shabbats, along with candlelighting, songs, Kiddush, and challah snack on Fridays, November 20, December 4 (also Hands on Holidays Chanukah!), and December 18th from 10:45 - 11:15am at the Museum (15 Lloyd Street / Baltimore 21202). Admission is free! Just rsvp to Cindy Neuman at cneuman@jcc.org or 410.356.5200 x344
***
One of our most popular programs is the Leo V. Berger Immigrant's Trunk: Living History Performance which features professional actors portraying actual Jewish immigrants to Baltimore at the turn of the 20th century. In this short clip, actress Katherine Lyons portrays Ida Rehr, who discusses becoming an American citizen. To find out about reserving this program, please contact Lauren Silberman at lsilberman@jewishmuseummd.org or 410.732.6400 x229.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Weekly Report 11.13.09
Dear Friends,
We continue to have very busy and productive work weeks at the Museum. Here are a few of the highlights:
PROGRAMS: The Steering Committee for Lloyd Street Synagogue Re-Opening, chaired by JMM vice President Jerry Doctrow, met with Deborah Cardin and Simone Ellin on Friday 13 November to develop plans for the LSS public opening and a VIP event at LSS. These twin programs will mark the kick-off of the Museum's 50th Anniversary year.
On Tuesday, the JMM program Committee, chaired by Carol Glusman, convened at the PH JCC to resume discussion about enhancement to the visitor experience. This was, as always, a lively and substantial conversation.
Actress Katherine Lyons performed for Covenant Guild, Inc., at their annual Membership Dinner, as Ida Rehr in The Leo V. Berger Immigrant's Trunk. Her very moving portrayal was very much appreciated by the audience.
On Sunday 8 November, the Sisterhood of B'nai Israel Congregation listened to JMM Research Historian & Family History Coordinator Deb Weiner present a Speakers Bureau presentation, sponsored by Attman's Delicatessen, about "Women in the Family Business." The talk touched on three Baltimore Jewish Women who were at the forefront of their family businesses: Rose Shanis of Rose Shanis Loans, Min Shavitz of Nates & Leon's Resturant, and Dora Silber of Silber's Bakery.
LEADERSHIP LUNCHEON: On Monday 9 November, JMM Trustee Larry Kamanitz hosted community leader Gail Bendit; Jim Blum, a long-time member and supporter; Greg Cantori, director of the Knott Foundation; Dr. Adam Gregerman, resident scholar at the Institute for Jewish and Christian Studies; and community leader Glenn Weinberg. As usual, conversation was lively and engaged. We thank our guests for an enjoyable visit.
VISITORS: On Sunday 8 November, the Museum hosted four Jewish congregations from a variety of geographic locations: Baltimore Hebrew, who brought their 6th graders; Temple Rodef Shalom from Virginia who brought their 7th graders; Temple B'nai Israel of Easton, Maryland who brought a range of ages; and Temple Sinai from Washington, DC, who brought a group of adults. On Thursday 12 November, Independence High School (Baltimore City Public School) brought another group of 9th graders to tour the Museum, while on Friday, a group of 5th graders from Patapsco Elementary (Baltimore City Public School) watched the Leo V. Berger Immigrant's Trunk before participating in Introduction to Judaism and Voices of Lombard Street programs.
EDUCATION: On Tuesday 10 November, the JMM was invited to participate in a full-day World War II-themed educational program at the Maryland Historical Society. More than 100 Baltimore City high school students (participating schools included Northwestern High School, Mergenthaler Vocational Tech, Forest Park High School, and Poly) spent the day exploring aspects of WWII and the Holocaust. In the morning, students had the opportunity to listen to personal testimony from Holocaust survivor Rubin Sztajer and WW II US Army veteran Sol Goldstein who participated in the liberation of Buchenwald. In the afternoon, the group split up to take part in a variety of activities. One of the groups participated in a Lives Lost, Lives Found photograph exploration activity facilitated by JMM education staff. Many thanks to Naomi Coquillon of the MdHS and Amy Rosenkrans of Baltimore City Public Schools for including us in this program.
On Wednesday 11 November, we held our first session of the Lessons of the Shoah high school interfaith initiative. Fr. Robert Albright and Rabbi Geoff Basik jointly provided a brief overview of the history of Judaism and Christianity, as they explored the Parting of the Way and how centuries of anti-Jewish discrimination promulgated by the Catholic church provides context for the Holocaust and the Nazis' antisemitic doctrine.
COLLECTIONS: Archivist Jennifer Vess reports that our inventory of archives and manuscripts has reached the 87.8% completion point; this long-term effort is part of the continuous process of raising standards in collections management by giving us greater intellectual control of our historical resources. Intern Heather Besch completed a draft transcription of Allan Hirsh II's oral history interview.
Collections volunteer Debbie Farthing named and photographed our mannequins on Wednesday, and on Thursday Collections Manager Jobi Zink added the records and photos to our database, as part of our effort to track exhibition display material. Jobi also compiled a list of audio tapes from the institutional archives and added those to the database
STAFF ACTIVITIES: We welcome Nicole Paterson, who started an internship in the Collections Department on Thursday. Nicole will receive her MA in Historical Studies from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County next month. At the Museum, she will help develop hands-on archaeology activities for The Synagogue Speaks exhibition.
Rachel Kassman organized a JMM table for the Jewish Health, Wealth and Lifestyle Expo in Pikesville this coming Sunday. Be sure to stop by and visit! On Tuesday 10 November, volunteer Robyn Hughes brought Dr. Linda Lee to the Museum to meet with the Education and Program departments to discuss the possibility of the Museum hosting a chess tournament for Baltimore City Public School students in the spring.
On Monday, Ilene Dackman-Alon attended an International Month Celebration sponsored by MSDE in Annapolis. Education leaders from around the State of Maryland and three countries celebrated International Education Month during the kick-off event that showcased international curricular programs and teacher exchanges in fine arts, social studies, and world languages. Storyteller Jennifer Rudick Zunikoff and our three storytellers from the JMM's latest educational initiative Student Immigration Stories, shared stories of their recent immigration experiences. Ilene also attended a meeting with representatives from The Jewish Salons, an international network that addresses Jewish identity through arts and culture. Currently, this project is being done in cities Amsterdam, Mexico City, Vienna, Budapest and Tel Aviv. The salons network connects young Jews from different communities by co-producing community events that present contemporary international Jewish culture.
On Tuesday. Anita Kassof and I met with Trustee Lee Rosenberg and architect John Srygley to discuss plans for the Museum's future expansion. Meanwhile, Rachel Kassman and Jennifer Vess are organizing a steering committee for the 2010 Purim Pandemonium, our annual young adult extravaganza.
Karen Falk, Deb Weiner, and Heather Besch were out at Trader Joe's in Pikesville this week, running a pilot for a video interview project we are calling Stories We Live By as part of the preparation for a training session next week with Dr. Jayne Guberman, a consultant on oral history.
Lots of other, ongoing activities took place, as well. I hope that everyone enjoys a peaceful Sabbath and a brisk, but clear fall weekend. Best to one and all.
Avi
We continue to have very busy and productive work weeks at the Museum. Here are a few of the highlights:
PROGRAMS: The Steering Committee for Lloyd Street Synagogue Re-Opening, chaired by JMM vice President Jerry Doctrow, met with Deborah Cardin and Simone Ellin on Friday 13 November to develop plans for the LSS public opening and a VIP event at LSS. These twin programs will mark the kick-off of the Museum's 50th Anniversary year.
On Tuesday, the JMM program Committee, chaired by Carol Glusman, convened at the PH JCC to resume discussion about enhancement to the visitor experience. This was, as always, a lively and substantial conversation.
Actress Katherine Lyons performed for Covenant Guild, Inc., at their annual Membership Dinner, as Ida Rehr in The Leo V. Berger Immigrant's Trunk. Her very moving portrayal was very much appreciated by the audience.
On Sunday 8 November, the Sisterhood of B'nai Israel Congregation listened to JMM Research Historian & Family History Coordinator Deb Weiner present a Speakers Bureau presentation, sponsored by Attman's Delicatessen, about "Women in the Family Business." The talk touched on three Baltimore Jewish Women who were at the forefront of their family businesses: Rose Shanis of Rose Shanis Loans, Min Shavitz of Nates & Leon's Resturant, and Dora Silber of Silber's Bakery.
LEADERSHIP LUNCHEON: On Monday 9 November, JMM Trustee Larry Kamanitz hosted community leader Gail Bendit; Jim Blum, a long-time member and supporter; Greg Cantori, director of the Knott Foundation; Dr. Adam Gregerman, resident scholar at the Institute for Jewish and Christian Studies; and community leader Glenn Weinberg. As usual, conversation was lively and engaged. We thank our guests for an enjoyable visit.
VISITORS: On Sunday 8 November, the Museum hosted four Jewish congregations from a variety of geographic locations: Baltimore Hebrew, who brought their 6th graders; Temple Rodef Shalom from Virginia who brought their 7th graders; Temple B'nai Israel of Easton, Maryland who brought a range of ages; and Temple Sinai from Washington, DC, who brought a group of adults. On Thursday 12 November, Independence High School (Baltimore City Public School) brought another group of 9th graders to tour the Museum, while on Friday, a group of 5th graders from Patapsco Elementary (Baltimore City Public School) watched the Leo V. Berger Immigrant's Trunk before participating in Introduction to Judaism and Voices of Lombard Street programs.
EDUCATION: On Tuesday 10 November, the JMM was invited to participate in a full-day World War II-themed educational program at the Maryland Historical Society. More than 100 Baltimore City high school students (participating schools included Northwestern High School, Mergenthaler Vocational Tech, Forest Park High School, and Poly) spent the day exploring aspects of WWII and the Holocaust. In the morning, students had the opportunity to listen to personal testimony from Holocaust survivor Rubin Sztajer and WW II US Army veteran Sol Goldstein who participated in the liberation of Buchenwald. In the afternoon, the group split up to take part in a variety of activities. One of the groups participated in a Lives Lost, Lives Found photograph exploration activity facilitated by JMM education staff. Many thanks to Naomi Coquillon of the MdHS and Amy Rosenkrans of Baltimore City Public Schools for including us in this program.
On Wednesday 11 November, we held our first session of the Lessons of the Shoah high school interfaith initiative. Fr. Robert Albright and Rabbi Geoff Basik jointly provided a brief overview of the history of Judaism and Christianity, as they explored the Parting of the Way and how centuries of anti-Jewish discrimination promulgated by the Catholic church provides context for the Holocaust and the Nazis' antisemitic doctrine.
COLLECTIONS: Archivist Jennifer Vess reports that our inventory of archives and manuscripts has reached the 87.8% completion point; this long-term effort is part of the continuous process of raising standards in collections management by giving us greater intellectual control of our historical resources. Intern Heather Besch completed a draft transcription of Allan Hirsh II's oral history interview.
Collections volunteer Debbie Farthing named and photographed our mannequins on Wednesday, and on Thursday Collections Manager Jobi Zink added the records and photos to our database, as part of our effort to track exhibition display material. Jobi also compiled a list of audio tapes from the institutional archives and added those to the database
STAFF ACTIVITIES: We welcome Nicole Paterson, who started an internship in the Collections Department on Thursday. Nicole will receive her MA in Historical Studies from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County next month. At the Museum, she will help develop hands-on archaeology activities for The Synagogue Speaks exhibition.
Rachel Kassman organized a JMM table for the Jewish Health, Wealth and Lifestyle Expo in Pikesville this coming Sunday. Be sure to stop by and visit! On Tuesday 10 November, volunteer Robyn Hughes brought Dr. Linda Lee to the Museum to meet with the Education and Program departments to discuss the possibility of the Museum hosting a chess tournament for Baltimore City Public School students in the spring.
On Monday, Ilene Dackman-Alon attended an International Month Celebration sponsored by MSDE in Annapolis. Education leaders from around the State of Maryland and three countries celebrated International Education Month during the kick-off event that showcased international curricular programs and teacher exchanges in fine arts, social studies, and world languages. Storyteller Jennifer Rudick Zunikoff and our three storytellers from the JMM's latest educational initiative Student Immigration Stories, shared stories of their recent immigration experiences. Ilene also attended a meeting with representatives from The Jewish Salons, an international network that addresses Jewish identity through arts and culture. Currently, this project is being done in cities Amsterdam, Mexico City, Vienna, Budapest and Tel Aviv. The salons network connects young Jews from different communities by co-producing community events that present contemporary international Jewish culture.
On Tuesday. Anita Kassof and I met with Trustee Lee Rosenberg and architect John Srygley to discuss plans for the Museum's future expansion. Meanwhile, Rachel Kassman and Jennifer Vess are organizing a steering committee for the 2010 Purim Pandemonium, our annual young adult extravaganza.
Karen Falk, Deb Weiner, and Heather Besch were out at Trader Joe's in Pikesville this week, running a pilot for a video interview project we are calling Stories We Live By as part of the preparation for a training session next week with Dr. Jayne Guberman, a consultant on oral history.
Lots of other, ongoing activities took place, as well. I hope that everyone enjoys a peaceful Sabbath and a brisk, but clear fall weekend. Best to one and all.
Avi
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Come Visit Us at the Jewish Health, Weath & Lifestyle Expo!
The Jewish Museum of Maryland will have a table at the Jewish Health, Wealth & Lifestyle Expo this Sunday, November 15th. Held at the Hilton in Pikesville from Noon to 5:00pm, we hope to see you there!
Check out www.jewishbusinessconnection.com to find out more!
Spring Semester Internship Announcements
Spring semester internships can begin as early as January 15, 2010
LIBRARY INTERN
The Jewish Museum of Maryland seeks a qualified graduate intern to assist in the Library department. The Library Intern will be responsible for entering a backlog of library materials into Past Perfect, conducting a full shelf read in the open stacks, and assisting with new acquisitions.
Interested students should be working toward a degree in history, art history, material culture, Jewish studies, museum studies, or library science. Previous museum or library experience is not required. The internship is 12 weeks long and requires a minimum of 8 hours/week. This internship can be used for academic credit.
Please send a cover letter, resume, availability and list of three references to Ms. Rachel Kassman, Photo Archivist and Librarian, Jewish Museum of Maryland,
JMM PHOTO INTERN
The Jewish Museum of Maryland seeks a qualified intern to assist in the photo archives. The Photo Intern will be responsible for processing, cataloging and digitizing the photographic collections of the museum. The photo intern may also be asked to assist with other collections tasks such as photographing objects, exhibition de-installation, exhibition installation, and photographing museum events.
Interested students should be working toward a degree in history, art history, material culture, Jewish studies, museum studies, photography or library science. Previous museum or library experience is not required. The internship is 12 weeks long and requires a minimum of 8 hours/week. This internship can be used for academic credit.
Please send a cover letter, resume, availability and list of three references to Ms. Rachel Kassman, Photo Archivist and Librarian, Jewish Museum of Maryland,
BHU ARCHIVES INTERN
The Jewish Museum of Maryland seeks 1-2 qualified graduate interns to assist in the processing of the
Interested students should be working toward a degree in archival science, library science or history with an archives concentration. Equivalent experience outside an academic environment may be substituted. Previous museum or library experience is not required. The internship is 12 weeks long and requires a minimum of 10 hours/week. There is a small stipend available for these internship, dependent on number of hours worked. This internship can also be used for academic credit.
Please send a cover letter, resume, availability and list of three references to Ms. Jennifer Vess, Acting Archivist, Jewish Museum of Maryland,
BHU PHOTO INTERN
The Jewish Museum of Maryland seeks a qualified intern to assist in the processing of the
Interested students should be working toward a degree in history, art history, material culture, Jewish studies, museum studies, or library science. Previous museum or library experience is not required. The internship is 12 weeks long and requires a minimum of 8 hours/week. There is a small stipend available for this internship, dependent on number of hours worked. This internship can also be used for academic credit.
Please send a cover letter, resume, availability and list of three references to Ms. Rachel Kassman, Photo Archivist and Librarian, Jewish Museum of Maryland,
EXHIBITION INTERN
The Jewish Museum of Maryland seeks a qualified intern to assist in the Collections and Exhibitions department to work on an upcoming exhibition,
Interested students should be working toward a degree in history, art history, material culture, Jewish studies, museum studies, or archival science. Previous museum or gallery experience is not required. The internship is 12 weeks long and requires a minimum of 8 hours/week. This internship can be used for academic credit.
To apply, please send a cover letter, resume, availability and list of three references to Ms. Karen Falk, Curator, Jewish Museum of Maryland,
COLLECTIONS INTERN
The Jewish Museum of Maryland seeks a qualified intern to assist in the Collections and Exhibitions department to work on general collections management projects. Tasks include, but are not limited to: cataloging new donations and loans, processing archival collections, object photography, data entry, digitizing photographic collections, artifact handling, and conducting and/or transcribing oral histories.
Interested students should be working toward a degree in history, art history, material culture, Jewish studies, museum studies, or archival science. Previous museum or gallery experience is not required. The internship is 12 weeks long and requires a minimum of 8 hours/week. This internship can be used for academic credit.
Please send a cover letter, resume, availability and list of three references to Ms. Jobi Zink, Sr. Collections Manager, Jewish Museum of Maryland,
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
