PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A Philadelphia museum could become part of the network of history and culture that makes up the Smithsonian Institution.
The Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History in Old City could become just the third Smithsonian facility outside Washington and New York. The U.S. Senate passed a bill this week that will create a commission to examine if and how the museum could be absorbed into the Smithsonian’s network.
“We're a nice museum in Philadelphia. We aspire to be truly the nation's museum of American Jewish history,” said Phil Darivoff, the museum’s chair emeritus. “Becoming part of the Smithsonian elevates us in a very significant way.”
The Weitzman was established in 1976 as the only museum in the nation dedicated exclusively to exploring and interpreting the American Jewish experience. The private nonprofit is situated in a 100,000-square-foot building at 4th and Market streets on Philadelphia’s Independence Mall, where it has been since 2010.
“We're the only museum in the country that tells the full story of Jews in America and that's why the museum was created,” Darivoff said, “but the urgency of getting this story out, of teaching all Americans, especially young Americans, about who Jews are and how they've contributed to our country and our society, is more important than ever.”
The bill was sponsored by Sen. Bob Casey. Florida Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz and put forth the companion legislation in the U.S. House, along with Pennsylvania Rep. Brendan Boyle. It creates a bipartisan commission of eight who will report to Congress on whether the Weitzman should become part of the Smithsonian.
The commission will create a report that lists the collections and includes the assets, liabilities, governance, operating costs and maintenance of the museum. It will not receive any federal funding and will accept private contributions to pay for its expenses.
In a statement, Casey said, “With antisemitism on the rise, the Weitzman Museum is playing a vital role in educating the next generation about the contributions Jewish Americans have made to our Nation and stemming the tide of hate. Integrating the Weitzman with the Smithsonian will cement the museum’s place as one of America’s essential institutions.”
The bill now awaits the president’s signature.