Current Exhibitions

Past Exhibitions

Traveling Exhibitions

Online Exhibitions

Jewish Life in Mr. Lincoln's City

Eugenia Levy Phillips, who spied for the Confederates while living in Washington, was called “a fire-eating secessionist in skirts.” Courtesy of Robert Marcus

One of the most important events in our nation's history, the Civil War forever altered American life. Washington and Alexandria were sites of intense activity. This new, original exhibition tells stories of Jewish life in Civil-War Washington and across the river in Alexandria.

Mounted as part of national celebrations of Lincoln's bicentennial in 2009, this exhibition includes images from our collections, supplemented by photographs from the Library of Congress and other local repositories.

The book inspired by this exhibition is available for purchase!

Venues

Previously, the exhibition was featured at Washington Hebrew Congregation (Washington, D.C.) and Beth El Hebrew Congregation (Alexandria, VA).

Components

Four upright structures holding panels, eight wall panels, replica tent, field desk, trunk, and four replica artillery boxes

Fees

$3,000 (includes one-way transportion and installation withiin the D.C. area)
To inquire about fees for outside the D.C. area, please contact David at (202) 789-0900 or info@jhsgw.org.

Jewish Washington: Scrapbook of an American Community

Early 20th-century pop-up Rosh Hashanah (New Year) greeting card, depicting Jews on America’s shores awaiting the arrival of immigrants from Eastern Europe. JHSGW Collections, gift of Charles and Edith Chicakel Pascal.

This award-winning exhibition was created to coincide with the anniversary of 350 years of Jewish life in America. It is the first of its kind to explore the rich and unique history of the Washington-area Jewish community from 1795 to the present through historical photographs, oral histories, Judaica, community scrapbooks and rare archival materials. 

Venues

Thursday, March 11, 2010 - August 2010
Historical Society of Washington, D.C.
801 K Street, NW (at Mount Vernon Square)
Washington, D.C.
 Visiting information

Previously, the exhibition was featured at the National Building Museum (Washington, D.C.), White Flint (Rockville, MD), the Russell Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill, Sixth & I Historic Synagogue (Washington, D.C.), The Lyceum (Alexandria, VA), and Adas Israel Congregation (Washington, D.C.).

The book based on this exhibition is available for purchase!

Watch an excerpt from the exhibition video | Video notes & credits

Components

Fifty-five hanging panels (7.5' x 3') with images and text. The number and sequence of panels can be adjusted to fit available gallery space.

Fees

$2,000 plus shipping and installation

Through the Lens: Jerry Goldberg’s Washington

Tifereth Israel Congregation, 16th and Juniper Streets, NW. Photograph by Jeremy Goldberg, 1998.

This exhibition charts the growth and change in Washington’s Jewish community through its buildings. Lifelong Washington resident and amateur photographer Jerry Goldberg “biked the sites,” photographing the synagogues and Jewish cemeteries in the city he called home. These photographs are exhibited along with historic photographs of more than 20 sites. Co-sponsored with Tifereth Israel Congregation.

Previously, the exhibition was featured at following Washington, D.C. sites: Tifereth Israel Congregation, Washington Hebrew Congregation, Adas Israel Congregation, Sixth & I Historic Synagogue, Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library, and the John A. Wilson District Building.

Current Venue

May 26, 2008 - Present
Ohev Sholom
1600 Jonquil Street, NW, Washington, D.C.
Call (202) 882-7225 for visiting information.

Components

Twenty-one (30" x 40") hanging panels with images and text.

Fees

$500 plus shipping.

Ties that Bind:
Washington-Area Jews and the Birth of the State of Israel

This exhibition chronicles the involvement of the Washington Jewish community in the struggle for Jewish statehood.

View exhibition slideshow

Venues

The exhibition has traveled to various locations, including JCCs, synagogues, public libraries, and local and national conferences. Available to travel.

Exhibition components

Twenty-five (30" x 40") hanging panels with images and text.

Fees

$500 plus shipping.

"Don’t Whisper a Prayer, Sing Aloud a Song of Peace"
Yitzhak Rabin in Washington

The exhibition chronicles Prime Minister Rabin’s life and work in the nation’s capital.  In cooperation with the Embassy of Israel.

Venues

Available to travel.

Components

Twenty-six framed photos of varying sizes with captions.

Fees

$500 plus shipping.

Louis D. Brandeis: An American Zionist

Louis D. Brandeis, the first Jewish Supreme Court Justice and an influential American Zionist, played a pivotal role in organizations that aided in the establishment of the State of Israel. The exhibition follows Brandeis from his youth to his role in organizations such as the Zionist Organization of America and Hadassah, describing his relationship with other influential Zionists.

Venues

Available to travel.

Components

Sixteen (30" x 40") framed panels.

Fees

$200 plus shipping.