Why You Should Visit The Weitzman On Your Next Visit To Philadelphia

Positioned prominently on Historic Independence Mall in Philadelphia, The Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History stands as a powerful cultural anchor right in the nation's birthplace. Whether you are a history enthusiast, art lover, or first-time visitor exploring Old City, here is why adding The Weitzman to your Philadelphia itinerary is an absolute must.

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1. Free Admission in the Heart of Historic Philadelphia

Located steps away from Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, The Weitzman offers free core admission (with a suggested $18 donation). It is one of the most accessible and welcoming major cultural institutions in Philadelphia's historic district.

2. Iconic Artifacts & The "Only in America®" Hall of Fame

Spanning five stories and featuring over 30,000 artifacts across nearly 400 years of history, the museum traces how Jewish immigrants became Jewish Americans and helped shape broader American culture.

• Albert Einstein’s Pipe: View personal artifacts from the iconic theoretical physicist.
• Irving Berlin’s Piano: See the instrument used by the legendary songwriter who composed "God Bless America".
• Steven Spielberg’s First Camera: Discover early cinematic history from one of America's greatest film directors.
• George Washington’s Historic Letter: Read the founding document affirming religious freedom and religious liberty for all Americans.

"The Weitzman inspires people of all backgrounds to gain a greater appreciation for the diversity of the American Jewish experience and the fundamental freedoms of our nation."

3. The Iconic "OY/YO" Sculpture Photo Op

Greeting visitors right outside on the corner of 5th and Market Streets is the famous OY/YO sculpture created by artist Deborah Kass. Depending on which direction you approach from, the bright yellow steel sculpture spells "YO"—Philadelphia’s quintessential greeting—or "OY," the classic Yiddish expression. It has quickly become one of the most photographed public art installations in Old City.

4. Breathtaking Architecture & Interactive Exhibits

Designed by renowned architect James Stewart Polshek, the museum features an 85-foot light-filled glass atrium offering sweeping views across Independence Mall. Inside, state-of-the-art interactive displays, rotating contemporary exhibitions, and family-friendly galleries make history engaging for visitors of all ages.

Travelore Tip: Start your visit on the top floor and work your way down chronologically through the core exhibition for the best narrative flow before finishing at the ground-floor museum shop!

Planning Your Visit

Location: 101 S. Independence Mall East (5th & Market Streets), Philadelphia, PA
Hours: Wednesday – Sunday, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Admission: Free core exhibition (suggested $18 donation)

Have you visited The Weitzman yet? Share your favorite exhibits or photos in the comments below!

The Moment Music Stood Still: The Nova Music Festival Exhibition, Opening October 6 At The Weitzman In Philadelphia

As we approach the one-year anniversary of October 7th, The Weitzman is offering opportunities for reflection, remembrance, solidarity, and healing throughout the month. The cornerstone of these events is a special, limited-time exhibition that memorializes the October 7th Nova Music Festival massacre. Through these stories and powerful artifacts, visitors will bear witness to the event and encounter the survivors’ call to action: 'We will dance again.

The Moment Music Stood StillThe Nova Music Festival Exhibition

Special Exhibition | October 6 - 13

This special exhibition documents the devastating attack on the Nova Music Festival on October 7th, the largest in music history. At its core, the exhibition is an emotional memorial that enables viewers to “bear witness” to the events that occurred on that day and look with hope and healing toward the future.

Exhibition times vary

Free | Tickets Now Available at:https://theweitzman.org/

Advanced registration recommended.

Visitors will encounter remnants salvaged from the festival grounds, including a camping area with tents, empty bottles, and a replica DJ booth, as well as video testimonies and written first-person accounts. The exhibition space will be transformed via dim and colorful lighting that evokes a concert while creating a contemplative atmosphere.

The Nova exhibition was created and directed by Reut Feingold and organized by the Nova Music Festival’s producers. It pays homage to the festival attendees, including the 410 murdered by Hamas, the 22 hostages who remain in captivity, and the 3,750 survivors.

Jewish American Heritage Month Starts May 1st Combating Antisemitism

This May, Jewish American Heritage Month (JAHM) will celebrate the inspiring history of Jewish Americans, serving as an antidote to antisemitism by amplifying the true, joyful, and powerful stories of Jewish life in America.

Designated each May by Presidential Proclamation, JAHM is powered by Philadelphia’s Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History (The Weitzman) and a national coalition of more than 200 cultural, educational, religious, advocacy organizations, museums, and library systems across the country.

“Jewish American Heritage Month is an opportunity for organizations and people of all backgrounds to learn and celebrate the integral role Jewish Americans have played in shaping our nation over the past four centuries,” said the Weitzman’s president and CEO, Dr. Misha Galperin. “The awareness-building and normalizing of American Jews that happens through JAHM is critical in educating against antisemitism. We encourage individuals, families, communities, businesses, and institutions to join us in countering antisemitism through celebration, education, solidarity, and allyship.”

JAHM Engagement

The website JewishAmericanHeritage.org serves as JAHM’s central hub. Stories on the JAHM website offer learning opportunities about who Jews are and how they have shaped and been shaped by America across nearly four centuries.

Visitors to the site have access to a free electronic toolkit with fresh content and resources, including a resource guide, posters, and downloadable social posts. The hashtags #MyJAHM and #OurSharedHeritage drive social media users to post their own content about how they celebrate Jewish American heritage and culture.

Free Educational Offerings

Teachers can sign up for free professional development sessions to learn about bringing age-appropriate JAHM lessons into classrooms. Also available are free lesson plans, teaching ideas, reading lists, and more resources. Learn more and sign up here at: https://jewishamericanheritage.org/for-educators/#professional-development

JAHM Programming

JAHM 2024 will feature a series of its own signature events and will also highlight the work of its national community partners throughout May. Much of the programming will be presented in person and online in an effort to serve a broad, national audience.

May 1, 3 p.m. (ET): JAHM Across the Aisle – Bipartisan Discussion with Former Members of Congress

May 7: JAHM Congressional Luncheon; invitation only, open to the Press

May 15, 6 p.m. (ET): Jewish American Heritage Concert from the Nation’s Capital
L
ive on the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage and Live Streamed

Featuring Frank London’s Klezmer Brass Allstars (Eastern European Ashkenazi music), Susana Behar (Sephardic music), Yosef Goldman and Yoni Battat (Mizrahi music from Yemen, Syria, and Iraq)

May 16, 6 p.m. (ET): “My Life in Recipes” by Joan Nathan Book Release in conversation with Mike Solomonov

Live at The Weitzman and Live Streamed

A new cookbook from the best-selling and award-winning author that uses recipes to look back at her life and family history

May 21: Ben Shneiderman in conversation with Sandee Brawarsky

Live Streamed

Shneiderman contributed to the creation of the hyperlink; the Museum currently has a web exhibition dedicated to his family’s outsized impact on 20th century communications and technology

JAHM’s History

JAHM began as an effort by the Jewish Museum of Florida and South Florida Jewish community leaders. Through the bi-partisan efforts of Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23) and the late Senator Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania, JAHM was established in 2006 by President George W. Bush to honor the contributions and achievements of Jewish Americans and to educate all Americans. It’s been continued every year since then by Presidential Proclamation. Other notable milestones include the formation of a national advisory committee in 2007 to drive the effort forward; NASA Astronaut Garrett Reisman, a New Jersey native and University of Pennsylvania graduate, carrying the original JAHM proclamation into space in 2010, and President and First Lady Barack and Michelle Obama hosting the first-ever White House reception in honor of JAHM that same year. In 2018, The Weitzman became the home of JAHM and now leads the nationwide effort.

Jewish American Heritage Month is made possible in part with support from The David Berg Foundation and these national partners, including the Recording Academy and American Association of School Librarians, which are new partners for 2024.

Visit JewishAmericanHeritage.org to learn more.