CIRCA - Fall 2011 - Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience

Museum
Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience
Leaving the Utica location by January 2013
By: Rachel Jarman
The Museum of the Southern and developing the new
Jewish Experience is set to multi million dollar museum
relocate from its site in Utica, directly on Independence
MS in 2013 and the ISJL Mall. We were also given
staff and board committee a behind the scenes tour
have been busy putting of their remarkable exhibit
together a strategic plan for which cover 350 years of
the future of the MSJE. This American Jewish history
July, ISJL staff and board using a combination of
members took a research trip artifacts and the latest in
to Philadelphia, PA to visit museum technologies. Our
the recently opened National group was inspired by the
Museum of American Jewish expansive museum and the
History and the National creative ways they have told
Constitution Center.
the story of Jews in America.
At the NMAJH we had the
pleasure of meeting with the
staff behind the development
of the new museum. They
answered questions from
our group on the process of
moving out of their old space
18 The Goldring/Woldenberg Institute of Southern Jewish Life CIRCA / Fall 2011
We also toured the National
Constitution Center which is
a great example of a modern
museum that teaches using
theatrical performances,
multi media technology and
interactive exhibits. We met
with staff to discuss their
success in marketing and
education outreach and were
inspired by the wide range
of themes covered in the
museum which enables them
to reach a large audience,
especially school groups.
After our whirlwind day, our
group was able to debrief
about what we took away
from these museums and
what we would like to
include in the future MSJE.
The trip established that
our group is committed
to bringing the history
of the Southern Jewish
Experience to life by utilizing
technologies and techniques
that are successful in today’s
top museums.
Inspired by their location on
the mall, the exhibit is themed
on the Jewish experience of
freedom in America.
Josh Perelman, Deputy
Director of Programming
at the National Museum
of American Jewish History,
giving ISJL staff and board
members a tour of the
museum in Philadelphia, PA.