Jewish Museum of New York, located in the former Felix M. Warburg House on Fifth Avenue, is one of the most well-known institutions on Manhattan's Museum Mile. Established in 1904 as the first Jewish museum in the United States, it is also the oldest existing Jewish museum in the world. The museum houses over 30,000 objects, representing the largest collection of Jewish art and culture outside of Israel.
Museum History: From Private Collection to Global Recognition
The museum's collection dates back to 1904 when Judge Mayer Zultzerberg donated objects of Jewish ceremonial art to the Jewish Theological Seminary of America (JTS). After several relocations and expansion, in 1944, Felix Warburg's widow, Frida, transferred their family townhouse to the seminary to establish a permanent home for the museum. The museum officially opened its doors to the public in 1947.
Since its opening, the museum has actively developed: in 1959, a sculpture garden was created, and in the 1960s, the exhibition Primary Structures contributed to the emergence of minimalism in contemporary art. In the 1990s, the museum underwent a major renovation under the direction of architect Kevin Roche, significantly increasing the exhibition space.
The Warburg House, built in 1908 in the French Renaissance style, became an ideal location for the museum. Architect K.P.H. Gilbert, who designed the building, combined chateau elements with Gothic motifs, creating an elegant and refined structure. Later, during the museum's expansion, architect Kevin Roche preserved this style in new facade and interior elements.
Collection and Exhibitions
The Jewish Museum's collection encompasses various periods and regions where Jews have resided. Among the exhibits are paintings, sculptures, archaeological artifacts, and Jewish ceremonial art. The collection includes works by artists such as Marc Chagall, James Tissot, George Segal, and others.
The museum's main exhibition Scenes from the Collection showcases artworks from antiquity to the present day. It is complemented by temporary exhibitions highlighting diverse aspects of Jewish culture and art.
Educational and Cultural Programs
The museum actively promotes the dissemination of knowledge about Jewish culture through educational programs, lectures, film screenings, and musical concerts. Since 1992, in collaboration with the Lincoln Center Film Society, it has been hosting the annual New York Jewish Film Festival.
In 2024, a new restaurant Lox opened within the museum, offering traditional Jewish dishes, adding a gastronomic dimension to the cultural journey.
Current Information:
Address: 1109 5th Ave &, E 92nd St, New York, 10128, United States
Contacts: +1 (212)-423-3200
Hours:
Fri-Sun 11:00-18:00 (11:00 AM - 06:00 PM)
Thu 11:00-20:00 (11:00 AM - 08:00 PM)
Tue-Wed – closed
