The Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage - Cleveland Article

While the name suggests a museum created entirely for the study of Jewish history, the Maltz Museum is actually built with the mission of bridging communities through the celebration of diversity and lessons on tolerance. That means you’ll find incredible depth and multiplicity within the museum’s offerings.

Be prepared for an enormously moving experience.

With both core and traveling exhibitions, the museum offers captivating history lessons that are sure to challenge your mind set, open your eyes to the realities of life as an immigrant and provide an appreciation for the diversity of the human experience.

Home to more than 7,000-square feet of exhibit space, the Maltz Museum contains artifacts, film, oral histories, high-tech interactive stations and more.

The museum’s core exhibition is entitled “An American Story” and is broken into seven areas of focus.

Starting with the departure from their homeland, the core exhibition mostly covers those Jewish immigrants who came to Cleveland from Eastern Europe during the early- to mid-20^th century.

It then takes museumgoers through the life of a Jewish immigrant in the United States during times of turmoil, economic depression, war and prosperity. It highlights the struggle of immigrating, the development of houses of worship, and the heart-wrenching stories of those who survived the Holocaust.

The museum also showcases the many important Jewish figures who helped to shape Cleveland and those who continue to carry the legacy for generations to come.

Beyond the parameters of the core exhibition but within the walls of the Maltz Museum is the gorgeously displayed Temple-Tifereth Israel Gallery, which contains 180+ ritual objects, sacred books, historic artifacts and beautiful pieces of art from all over the world.

For those planning to visit now through May 14, 2017, check out “This Light of Ours: Activist Photographers of the Civil Rights Movement.” This the 4,000-square-foot special exhibition features video, immersive 3D structures and more than 150 black-and-white photos of the everyday people who risked their lives in the fight against institutionalized racism during the Southern Freedom Movement. It leaves the guest to draw parallels to many of today’s racial tensions while challenging them to see how individuals have the power to change America.

For more information, to view a programming schedule or to schedule a private tour, visit www.maltzmuseum.org.