Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education
The Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education is one of the largest Jewish museums in North America. The museum includes a wide variety of exhibits, from the history of European Jews to an exploration of contemporary anti-Semitism. In addition to its permanent collection, the museum hosts exhibitions throughout the year!
The Center for Holocaust Education offers a wide range of educational programming for students of all ages. Programs include both in-depth explorations of the Holocaust and its history and programs that focus on other genocides worldwide. The center also hosts an annual Yom HaShoah commemoration event.
If you’re looking for a museum that provides an in-depth look at Jewish history and the Holocaust, the Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education are worth a visit!
History of Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education
The Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education are located in the Lloyd District in Portland, OR. The museum was founded in 1963 by the United Hebrew Congregation (now called Beth Israel Synagogue), which still owns and operates it today. The museum’s first exhibit, “The Jewish Experience in the Northwest,” opened in 1965.
In 1998, the Oregon Jewish Museum merged with the Center for Holocaust Education (founded in 1992), creating one of the largest Jewish museums in North America. The merger allowed for a broader range of programming and exhibitions, including permanent and rotating exhibits. The museum continues to be an institution that focuses on Jewish history and the Holocaust.
The Yom HaShoah commemoration event has been held every year since 1987 when Beth Israel Synagogue organized a public gathering in remembrance of the Holocaust. Since then, the event has grown, with over two thousand people attending in 2015!
The Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education is one of Portland’s best museums to visit if you want a more profound understanding of history and the impact that past events have on our present-day world. Learn about European Jews, contemporary anti-Semitism, and more at this museum!
Facts About Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education
-The museum is one of the largest Jewish museums in North America
-It includes a wide variety of exhibits, from the history of European Jews to an exploration of contemporary anti-Semitism
-In addition to its permanent collection, the museum hosts exhibitions throughout the year!
-The Center for Holocaust Education offers a wide range of educational programming for students of all ages
What to See at Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education
Permanent Collection:
The Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education have many permanent exhibits that explore different aspects of Jewish history and the Holocaust.
Exhibit A: “The Jewish Experience in the Northwest” looks at the history of Jews in the Pacific Northwest from 1858 to the present day. This exhibit includes items like a Torah scroll from the first synagogue in Oregon and a photograph of the Seattle Jewish community in 1916.
Exhibit B: “Voices from Auschwitz” is a multimedia exhibit that tells the stories of eleven Holocaust survivors. The exhibit includes videos, photographs, and personal artifacts from the survivors’ time in the Auschwitz concentration camp.
Exhibit C: “From Prejudice to Genocide” is an immersive exhibit that looks at the history of anti-Semitism in Europe from medieval times until World War II. The display includes artifacts like a Nazi propaganda poster warning against Jews stealing Aryan women’s husbands and children!
Exhibits D and E: “The Holocaust” and “Contemporary Antisemitism” are self-explanatory and offer a more in-depth look at the history of the Holocaust and contemporary anti-Semitism.
Rotating Exhibitions:
In addition to its permanent collection, the Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education also hosts rotating exhibits throughout the year.
These exhibitions include everything from contemporary art to photographs of Jewish life in Germany and are always worth checking out!
Educational Programming at Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education:
The Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education offers a wide range of educational programming covering everything from Holocaust education to religious traditions.
Programs for Children:
The Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education dedicate time and resources to their educational programming for children! These programs include everything from exploring art history by displaying paintings at the museum to learning about contemporary Jewish communities in Israel, Turkey, Morocco, and more.
Programs for Adults:
The Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education also offers a variety of educational programming to help their adult visitors gain a deeper understanding of the past and our present-day world as well! These programs include lectures about contemporary anti-Semitism to guided tours that explore different aspects of the museum’s collection.
Activities and Events at Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education
The Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education is not only a great place to learn about the past, but it’s also an excellent spot to hang out with friends!
-You can visit their bookstore/gift shop that includes everything from educational materials to Judaica.
-There are public lectures given by historians, artists, authors, and more almost every weekend!
-The museum also offers film screenings, family programming, and special events throughout the year!
-The museum has a wide variety of community outreach programs that help to ensure that people from all walks of life can enjoy their programming.
Things Not to Do at Events at Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education
Please don’t touch any of the artwork or artifacts on display at the museum! Many of these items are incredibly fragile and can be easily damaged.
Please don’t take photos of any art or artifacts not currently on display. This includes paintings, sculptures, and even outdoor exhibits.
Please don’t eat or drink inside the museum. There are cafes in downtown Portland that offer food and drinks if you’re feeling peckish!
Please do not litter while visiting the Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education; please make sure to throw your trash away before leaving!
Please note that the Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education are wheelchair accessible. Pets are not allowed inside the building.
Please note that outside food and drink are not allowed inside the Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education; however, you can purchase coffee, snacks, etc., from the museum’s cafe. All visitors to this location must walk upstairs as no elevators are available on site.
It’s also worth noting that the museum is located in a residential area, so please be respectful of the neighbors and keep noise levels down.
What to Bring at Events at Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education
The museum offers a lot of great educational programming for people of all ages, so be sure to come and learn something new.
-A friend! The Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education are great for catching up with friends and chatting about the latest news.
-Some spending money! The bookstore/gift shop has a wide variety of items for sale, so be sure to check it out!
-A water bottle! The museum offers free water stations throughout the building, so you can stay hydrated while learning.
-An umbrella! The museum is located right beside the Rose Quarter, so there’s a chance you’ll be visiting during rainy weather.
-A reusable bag! The museum has a lot of great items for sale, so it’s best to be prepared.
How to Get at Events at Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education
The Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education are located near the Rose Quarter in downtown Portland.
-Street parking isn’t available on-site, so you’ll need to find a public lot or garage nearby! If street parking is free during your visit time, be sure to park there instead.
-Getting around via public transportation can be difficult as the museum is not located on any bus lines, and there’s only limited access to trains.
-There are several bike racks around the building that can be used if you’re riding your bike! Please note that bikes cannot be locked up outside, so it might be best to leave them at home.
Address: 724 NW Davis St, Portland, OR 97209, United States
Hours: Tuesday – Friday 12 pm – 05 pm, Saturday – Sunday 11 am – 05 pm
Closed on Mondays and Jewish holidays.
Phone: 503-226-3600
Website: ojmche.org/portland/home/
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