Welcome to the Maltz Museum, a unique journey through the Jewish heritage of Northeast Ohio and beyond. With interactive exhibits, immersive experiences, and engaging activities for all ages, the museum invites visitors to explore the diverse and dynamic history of Jewish life, culture, and contributions in America. From the stories of immigrant families to the struggles for civil rights, from the triumphs of famous figures to the challenges of contemporary issues, the Maltz Museum offers a rich and meaningful perspective on Jewish identity and diversity. Whether you are a history buff, a cultural explorer, or simply curious about the world around you, come join us on this inspiring journey of discovery and dialogue.
The Maltz Museum: Exploring Jewish Heritage and Diversity
The Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage is a museum located in Beachwood, Ohio, that is dedicated to promoting tolerance, diversity, and understanding through learning about Jewish heritage and culture. Through its exhibits, programs, and events, the museum aims to foster dialogue, inspire action, and promote a greater understanding of Jewish culture and the role it has played in American history and society.
The Museum’s Mission
The mission of the Maltz Museum is to connect individuals and communities through Jewish heritage and diversity. The museum seeks to promote mutual understanding and respect among people of all backgrounds, and to provide a space for learning, reflection, and engagement.
Through its exhibits and programs, the museum strives to highlight the richness and complexity of Jewish history and culture, and to foster dialogue and understanding between Jewish communities and the broader public. By exploring Jewish experiences and traditions, visitors can gain a deeper appreciation of the diversity and resilience of Jewish life in America and around the world.
The Exhibits
The Maltz Museum features a range of interactive exhibits that explore Jewish history, culture, and identity. One of the museum’s signature exhibits is “An American Story,” which tells the stories of Jews who immigrated to America and helped to shape the country’s identity and culture.
The exhibit uses personal stories and artifacts to highlight the challenges and triumphs that Jewish immigrants faced as they arrived in America and built new lives for themselves. Visitors can learn about the contributions of Jewish figures from various fields, including science, entertainment, and politics, as well as everyday people who left a lasting impact on American society.
In addition to “An American Story,” the museum features a rotating collection of exhibits that explore a range of Jewish themes and topics, including Jewish culture, music, art, and faith. These exhibits are designed to offer visitors a window into the richness and diversity of Jewish heritage and to promote a greater understanding of Jewish experiences and traditions.
The Maltz Museum also features exhibits and programs that explore themes of diversity, social justice, and human rights. Through these exhibits, visitors can reflect on the struggles and achievements of marginalized communities throughout history, and learn about ways to promote greater equity and justice in our own communities.
Programs and Events
In addition to its exhibits, the Maltz Museum hosts a variety of programs and events throughout the year. These events include lectures, concerts, films, and family activities that engage visitors in Jewish culture and history, and offer opportunities for learning and reflection.
The museum’s programs are designed for individuals of all ages and backgrounds, and seek to promote dialogue and understanding between Jewish communities and the broader public. Whether attending a musical performance, a lecture on Jewish history, or a family-friendly activity, visitors can learn about Jewish culture and traditions and gain a deeper appreciation of the role that Jewish heritage has played in American society and culture.
Overall, the Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage is a valuable resource for anyone interested in exploring Jewish culture, history, and identity. Through its exhibits, programs, and events, the museum promotes tolerance, diversity, and understanding, and offers visitors a chance to engage with one of the world’s most vibrant and diverse cultural traditions.
The Origins of the Maltz Museum
The Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage is a significant cultural institution located in Beachwood, Ohio. It features interactive exhibits that explore Jewish history, culture, and religion. Since its inception, the Maltz Museum has aimed to promote understanding, tolerance, and diversity in the community.
The Founders
The Maltz Museum was created by Milton and Tamar Maltz, a philanthropic couple with a love for education and community involvement. They had a sincere desire to preserve Jewish heritage and instill its values in people, regardless of their backgrounds. Their vision for the Maltz Museum was to create a space where visitors could connect with the Jewish experience through interactive exhibits, dynamic programming, and educational opportunities.
The Maltzes are well-known throughout the region for their numerous philanthropic initiatives. They have contributed substantially to the Cleveland Orchestra, the Cleveland Play House, and Case Western Reserve University. The Maltz Arts and Culture Center, a venue located in the Jewish Community Center, is also named in their honor.
The Building
The Maltz Museum is housed in a beautiful, Neoclassical-style building that was previously home to The Temple-Tifereth Israel, a historic Jewish congregation. Built in 1924, the temple was designed by architect Charles Greco and embodies a mix of Byzantine and Art Deco styles. It served as a place of worship for the Jewish community until 2003, when the congregation merged with another local synagogue.
The Maltzes acquired the temple in the mid-2000s and invested around $12 million in renovation and restoration efforts. The building’s interior was transformed to include modern, interactive exhibits that tell the story of Jewish history and culture. However, the Maltz Museum remains committed to preserving the building’s historic character and architectural details, such as its stained-glass windows, marble columns, and intricate mosaics.
The Impact
Since opening its doors in 2005, the Maltz Museum has welcomed over 300,000 visitors from around the world. It has become an important cultural institution in the region, contributing to the community’s rich heritage and vibrant cultural scene. The museum’s exhibits, events, and programming aim to foster mutual understanding and respect among diverse groups of people, promoting empathy and tolerance for all. The Maltz Museum’s impact extends beyond its physical walls, as it has partnered with schools, universities, and community organizations to deliver its educational and cultural offerings to a wider audience.
In conclusion, the Maltz Museum is a testament to the vision and dedication of its founders, Milton and Tamar Maltz. Through their generous contributions and relentless efforts, they have created a space that celebrates Jewish culture, history, and tradition while promoting empathy, tolerance, and diversity. The museum’s location in a historic temple adds a unique character to the institution, and its interactive exhibits and educational opportunities make it a must-visit destination for locals and tourists alike.
Notable Exhibits and Programs
The Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage offers a variety of exhibits and programs that aim to educate and inspire visitors about Jewish culture and history. Here are three notable exhibits and programs:
An American Story
An American Story is a core exhibit that explores immigration and integration through the stories of Jewish immigrants to Northeast Ohio. This multimedia exhibit provides an immersive experience that highlights the challenges and triumphs of a community striving to adapt to a new land. Visitors can see artifacts and personal belongings that represent the immigrant experience and listen to firsthand accounts from Jewish immigrants who made Northeast Ohio their home. By sharing their stories, the museum hopes to foster a greater understanding of the immigrant experience and promote tolerance and acceptance of all cultures.
Stop the Hate® Youth Speak Out
The Stop the Hate® Youth Speak Out program is a youth essay contest that encourages students to reflect on issues of diversity and social justice. This program aims to engage young people in a conversation about tolerance and to empower them to stand up against hate and discrimination in all its forms. Every year, hundreds of students from schools throughout Northeast Ohio submit essays that explore themes such as bullying, racism, homophobia, and religious discrimination. Winners receive cash prizes, and their essays are published in a book that is distributed throughout the region. By involving young people in this important conversation, the Maltz Museum hopes to create a more compassionate and just society.
The Power of Protest: The Movement to Free Soviet Jews
The Power of Protest: The Movement to Free Soviet Jews is an exhibit that highlights the successful campaign to bring attention to the struggles of Soviet Jewish citizens. Through a series of photographs, documents, and artifacts, visitors can learn about the grassroots movement that grew out of the Cold War-era struggle for human rights. The exhibit showcases the activism of Jewish and non-Jewish Americans who worked tirelessly to raise awareness about the plight of Soviet Jews and put pressure on the Soviet government to allow them to emigrate. In addition to exploring the history of this movement, the exhibit invites visitors to consider their own role in standing up for human rights and social justice.
Overall, the Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage offers a wide range of exhibits and programs that provoke thought and spark conversation about important issues. From exploring the immigrant experience to promoting youth activism, the museum is dedicated to creating a more just and compassionate world.
Collaborative Efforts and Community Involvement
The Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage is dedicated to providing educational programming, exhibits and events that celebrate diversity and promote social justice. The museum is committed to being a community resource and engages in numerous collaborative efforts to reach diverse audiences.
Community Outreach
The Maltz Museum recognizes the importance of reaching underserved communities and has partnered with local schools and organizations to provide educational programming. Through partnerships with institutions such as the Boys and Girls Clubs and the Cleveland Metropolitan School District, the museum has reached thousands of young people who may not have otherwise been able to experience their programming.
One example of this outreach is the museum’s Stop the Hate Youth Speak Out contest. This essay writing contest engages students in grades 6-12 in thoughtful discussion about hate and intolerance and encourages them to take positive actions in their communities. The winners of the contest are recognized at an awards ceremony and their essays are shared on the museum’s website and social media channels.
The Bridges Summit
The Bridges Summit is an annual conference hosted by the Maltz Museum that brings together leaders of different faiths and backgrounds to discuss issues of diversity and inclusion. The conference features a keynote speaker and a panel discussion, as well as breakout sessions on a variety of topics related to cultural competency and community building.
Since its inception in 2017, the Bridges Summit has become a significant event in the Cleveland community. Attendees represent a diverse range of organizations and backgrounds, including faith groups, non-profits, schools, and businesses. The summit provides an opportunity for participants to network, share best practices, and learn from one another.
Cleveland Creates
Cleveland Creates is a program created by the Maltz Museum that brings together artists, writers and educators to explore and promote regional Jewish culture. The program features workshops, exhibitions, and other events that showcase the richness and diversity of Jewish arts and culture.
Cleveland Creates is an innovative approach to engaging with the community around Jewish heritage and culture. By highlighting the creativity and talent of Jewish artists in the region, the program helps to build bridges between different cultures and foster understanding and appreciation of Jewish traditions.
Overall, the Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage is committed to being an active and engaged member of the community. Through their extensive outreach and collaboration efforts, the museum is able to reach diverse audiences and promote social justice and understanding.
Becoming Involved with the Maltz Museum
The Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage offers several opportunities for individuals to get involved with the museum and support its mission to promote understanding, tolerance, and empowerment through Jewish history, culture, and identity.
Membership
Becoming a member of the Maltz Museum provides many benefits, such as free admission to the museum’s exhibitions and programs throughout the year. Members also gain access to exclusive events and early museum access, which allows them to fully engage with the museum community. Membership support helps the museum fund its exhibits, programs, and educational initiatives.
In addition, members receive discounts on educational programming, such as lectures and workshops, and access to the museum’s library, which features extensive collections of books, films, and other resources related to Jewish heritage and history. Members also have the opportunity to participate in programming committees, which help shape the museum’s future exhibits and events.
Membership at the Maltz Museum is available at several levels, with varying perks and opportunities to get involved. To become a member, interested individuals can join online or by visiting the museum.
Volunteer Opportunities
The Maltz Museum also offers various volunteer opportunities for those who want to get more involved with the museum’s operations. Volunteer roles include greeters, tour guides, exhibit floor assistants, and special events volunteers.
Volunteers help make the museum’s exhibits and events run smoothly by providing assistance to visitors and staff. They also have the opportunity to engage with the museum community by interacting with visitors, learning about Jewish heritage and history, and participating in team building and training events.
To become a volunteer, interested individuals can apply online or contact the museum’s volunteer coordinator. Volunteers are required to attend an orientation session and must commit to volunteering for at least six months.
Donation and Sponsorship
Finally, the Maltz Museum welcomes donations and sponsorships to support its ongoing programming and exhibits. These contributions help make it possible for the museum to create educational programming that engages visitors with Jewish heritage and history, as well as support the museum’s mission of promoting understanding, tolerance, and empowerment for all communities.
Individuals, corporations, and foundations can donate to the museum either on a one-time or recurring basis. Donations can be made online, in person, or by mail.
Corporate sponsors can also support the museum by sponsoring exhibits or events, or by partnering with the museum on educational initiatives and outreach. In return, sponsors receive recognition and promotional opportunities through the museum’s website, marketing materials, and events.
Contributions to the Maltz Museum are tax-deductible and go directly to fund the museum’s operations, exhibits, and programming. All donors receive a written acknowledgement of their contribution.
Becoming involved with the Maltz Museum provides a unique opportunity to engage with Jewish heritage and history, learn about diverse perspectives, and support an organization committed to promoting understanding, tolerance, and empowerment. Whether through membership, volunteering, or donating, individuals can make a meaningful impact on their community by supporting the mission of the Maltz Museum.