Welcome to The National Museum of American
Jewish Military History

The National Museum of American Jewish Military History, under the auspices of the Jewish War Veterans of the USA, documents and preserves the contributions of Jewish Americans to the peace and freedom of the United States, educates the public concerning the courage, heroism and sacrifices made by Jewish Americans who served in the armed forces, and works to combat anti-Semitism.

News & Special Announcements

Museum Tour Schedule

January 19, 2009:

Martin Luther King, Jr Birthday (observed) - the museum will be open to the public from 9 am to 5 pm.

January 20, 2009:

Inaugural Day – the museum will be open to the public from 9am to 5pm.

January 23, 2009:

the Israeli Embassy – Members of the Defense Attaché and their staff will host a reception and briefing from General Benjamin Gantz. Museum President, PNC David Magidson will provide the opening remarks and a brief history of the Jewish War Veterans and the Museum. Exhibits tour will follow.

January 26, 2009:

U.S. Department of State hosts an International Visitor Leadership Program for teacher-trainers from Poland. U.S. Embassy in Warsaw has nominated these visitors to participate in a program to focus on "Education and the Holocaust”. Program lead by Holocaust Camp survivor and liberator Bernhard Storch. Reception and exhibits tour.

Coming to Washington DC?   Check out one of our new business partners, DESTINATION DC, for hotel rooms, great eateries, interesting places to shop, unusual things to see and do.

The National Museum of American Jewish Military History is a member of The DuPont-Kalorama Museums Consortium (DKMC). It promotes the “off the mall” museums and their neighborhoods in the greater DuPont-Kalorama area of Washington, DC. Check out the DKMC website for museum locations. All are in walking distance from one to another! What a great way to spend an afternoon!

Harvey S. Friedman Annual Memorial Grant

This annual grant of $1000 was created to assist students planning on a career in the museum field. Deadline for submission of applications is December 31, 2008. The grant will be awarded at the NMAJMH’s Board of Directors meeting in March, 2009.

Grant Information and Application

Meet the new President of the National Museum of American Jewish Military History

A Welcome Letter

All News & Announcments »

Museum Outreach

Pictured here with panels from a NMAJMH traveling display is Lou Wolfe. Mr. Wolfe and several other members of Greenspring Village Retirement Community (Northern Virginia) recently visited the museum. The members enjoyed it so much they wanted those who couldn't make the trip be able to experience what the NMAJMH has to offer, so Mr. Wolfe arranged for a tour of the center and graciously asked Richard to lunch in their lovely dining room. We thank Mr. Wolfe and the staff of Greenspring Village for their hospitality and look forward to a second visit to the museum and perhaps another offer to speak at the center.

Martin Kaufman of JWV Post 273 (FL) requested a Hall of Heroes traveling exhibit for display at Beth Shalom Congregation for November in honor of Veterans Month. Learn more about the Beth Shalom exhibit:

Jacksonville Jewish News

The Beth Shalom Shofar

On Veterans Day 2008, JWV Department of the Southwest Commander Joe Kraut spearheaded a meeting co-sponsored by the Birmingham Jewish Federation in an effort to get Post 608 active again. This post originally met at the Levite Jewish Community Center in Birmingham, Alabama but has not been active in about 10 years. NMAJMH President PNC David L. Magidson spoke about revitalizing the spirit, dedication, and service of the post and its importance to JWV, its Museum, and the world. Pictured from left to right are PNC Magidson, Commander Kraut, Colonel Bob Picard, and herb Rosenbaum, JWV Veteran of the Year, at the Veterans Day Peace Luncheon held in Birmingham.

Shaw JCC exhibit remembers liberation of concentration camps
WEST AKRON — More than 60 people attended the opening of the exhibit GIs Remember: Liberating the Concentration Camps Sept. 3 at the Shaw Jewish Community Center (JCC).

To view other museum outreach events, click here.

The Future of the NMAJMH

The National Museum of American Jewish Military History proudly announces plans for a new permanent core exhibit. The NMAJMH has been working with Quatrefoil Associates to put together a master plan for an exhibition that will cover the entire span of Jewish service in the American military. This new exhibit will be the core of the NMAJMH and is our most ambitious undertaking yet.

Dear Prospective Museum Member,

2008 was a good year for the museum. Let me tell you about a few events…….

The Museum celebrated the March 23, 1933, boycott of German goods led by the Jewish War Veterans in New York City. Our exhibit, Jewish War Veterans’ Protest March Against Nazi Germany- 75th Anniversary, opened March 7, 2008.

In May 2008, The NMAJMH celebrated Jewish American Heritage Month by hosting an evening reception for members of Congress, including members of the House Armed Services and Veterans Affairs Committees. The reception was coordinated through the office of Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL).

This year we anticipated larger than usual crowds touring the museum and were pleasantly surprised that our efforts with Destination DC, Washington’s visitor service bureau, helped bring in first time visitors from around the nation. We were also, for the first time, contacted by Elderhostel to provide lectures and tours as part of its ongoing programs offering educational travel and learning vacations for adults. Also, the museum welcomed groups from the Erickson Retirement Communities of Virginia, the Men’s Club of Har Zion Temple of Pennsylvania, The Potomac Chapter of Hadassah, The Jewish Council of the Aged, Harold E. Greenberg Post 692, members from the Department of Ohio and Ring House (Maryland). We enjoyed a host of foot travelers who happened upon the large blue street signs put out by the Washington, DC Mayor’s office pointing to embassies, galleries, local educational organizations, and historical properties. If you or your organization would like to visit the museum, please contact our tour coordinator, Mary Westley, at (202) 265-6280.

On November 9, 2008, as a way of remembering Kristalnacht, the museum hosted an open house lecture/book signing, featuring Dr. Louis Maier, author of From the Golden Gate to the Black Forest, who provided a lecture on his experiences during WWII. We plan to continue our celebrations in 2009 by paying tribute to the 25th Anniversary of our building.

We continue to promote our web program, American Jewish Military Heritage which has proven to be one of our best educational tools you can provide to your child or grandchild. Visit our home page at www.nmajmh.org and click on the menu item American Jewish Military Heritage. This program is filled with websites, books, and videos that may help with his/her studies. You may further review other information on military history and cultural resources of interest by clicking on the menu item Collections and Research, also from our website main menu.

During these days of economic struggle, we need to focus on those projects and programs that matter the most. We need to continue to ensure the future of our legacy, our purpose, and our mission of documenting and preserving the contributions of Jewish Americans to the peace and freedom of the United States, of educating the public concerning that courage, heroism and sacrifice, and continuing to work to combat anti-Semitism. We welcome your help, commitment, generosity, and membership. Please, won’t you join today!

Sincerely,

David L. Magidson
President

Click here for Membership Info

As a thank you, a Guardian Member ($100) receives a one year membership card and subscription to The Jewish Veteran, a one time issue of a museum pin, museum video (either A Place to Remember, or Uriah Levy), a museum exhibit catalog AND our commemorative 2 piece watch set - a memorial homage to the 9/11/01 tragedy. This Collector's Edition watch set, packaged in a beautiful wooden box, is inscribed with Sept. 11, 2001 and depicts a silhouette of the Twin Towers. Consider joining at the Guardian level, or upgrading your current single basic membership, and receive one of these beautiful sets.

Recent Visitors to the
National Museum of American Jewish Military History

Lecture and Reception Hosted

On Sunday November 9, in remembrance of Kristallnacht, the NMAJMH hosted a lecture and book signing by Dr. Louis Maier, author of From the Golden Gate to the Black Forest and In Lieu of Flowers. Dr. Maier spoke about his escape from Germany and his experiences during World War II. Members of Harold E. Greenberg JWV Post 692 came to the Museum in the morning for a presentation of plans for the new permanent exhibit followed by a luncheon. They were joined by members of the Potomac Chapter of Hadassah and the public for Dr. Maier's lecture and reception. Visitors also enjoyed docent-led tours throughout the afternoon.

Members of Paul A. Rosenblum Post/Auxiliary 44 visited the Museum on May 30. After enjoying catered box lunches from Eli's kosher restaurant in our education center, they viewed the museum exhibits with docent Richard Rosenzweig.

Pictured in the first photo are members of the Post/Auxiliary listening tour guide Richard Rosenzweig.

In the second photo, Paul A. Rosenblum Post 44 Cleveland presents two checks to the Museum. Pictured are P.C. Roger Gove, Commander Stan Waters, Museum Director Col. Herb Rosenbleeth and P.C. Sid Wakser.

Teachers, parents and children of the Congregation Kneseth Israel of Annapolis, MD, visited the museum Sunday May 18. The group was led by Rabbi Moshe Weisblum, who, at the time of the opening of the exhibit, Rescue and Renewal in 1999, had been the rabbi for our guest curator, Mr. Mort Horvitz. The children participated in the museum treasure hunt led by docent Richard Rosenzweig and staff member Cheryl Waldman, Director of Programs for the JWV.

National Museum of American Jewish Military History Celebrates Jewish American Heritage Month with Congressional Visit

The National Museum of American Jewish Military History (NMAJMH) celebrated Jewish American Heritage Month by hosting an evening reception for members of Congress, including members of the House Armed Services and Veterans Affairs Committees, on Tuesday, May 13, 2008. The reception was coordinated through the office of Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), who introduced resolutions in 2006 urging the President to proclaim a month (May) that would recognize the 352 year history of Jewish contributions to American culture.

Museum President, Past National Commander Robert M. Zweiman, and Museum Director and National Executive Director of JWV, Col. Herb Rosenbleeth provided greetings and President Zweiman introduced the group to the Museum's exhibitions and goals. The presentation was followed by a tour of the museum exhibits by NMAJMH docent Richard Rosenzweig and a "behind the scenes" look at some of the museum's most interesting artifacts led by Collections Assistant Mike Rugel.

We look forward to another visit from those and other members of Congress and we are delighted to be apart of their outreach endeavors.