44 N. 4th St., 215/922-5446,
www.mikvehisrael.org [1]
HOURS: Mon.–Thurs. 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Fri. 10 a.m.–3 p.m., Sun. noon–5 p.m.
COST: $4 adult and senior, $3 student and child 6 and over, free child under 6 and member
The National Museum of American Jewish History aims to encapsulate the experience of Jews in America. Exhibits and artifacts celebrate and explore Jewish culture, negotiating immigrant identity in a new country, and the experience of Philadelphia Jews.
The small museum attached to the Mikveh Israel Cemetery has been one of the more obscure stops on the Philly [2] tourist circuit, but that is all likely to change soon. It is moving into a new, modern facility in a prominent location on Independence Mall (55 N. 5th St., 215/923-3811, www.nmajh.org [3]) just across the street from the Liberty Bell [4].
The opening is slated for Independence Day 2010, and the new space will feature five floors of interactive exhibition space and the nation’s largest collection of Jewish American memorabilia.
Links:
[1] http://www.mikvehisrael.org
[2] http://www.moon.com/destinations/philadelphia/discover-philadelphia
[3] http://www.nmajh.org
[4] http://www.moon.com/destinations/philadelphia/sights/old-city/independence-national-historical-park/liberty-bell