The Jewish Museum to Reopen to Members on September 24, and to the Public on October 1

New York, NY – September 16, 2020 — Following over six months of closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Jewish Museum will reopen to the public on Thursday, October 1, 2020,  preceded by five preview days for its Members on September 24, 25, 26, 29, and 30, 2020, from 11am to 4pm. All visitors will enjoy free admission through December 31, 2020, and be able to see the new exhibition (originally scheduled to open in March) We Fight to Build a Free World: An Exhibition by Jonathan Horowitz, as well as Rachel Feinstein: Maiden, Mother, Crone and Scenes from the Collection.

 “Our remarkable staff has been hard at work for months planning a safe reopening of the Jewish Museum,” Claudia Gould, Helen Goldsmith Menschel Director of the Jewish Museum, said. “Things may feel a little different, but one thing has not changed: the Jewish Museum is a place for everyone to engage with art and learn about the diversity of global Jewish culture. I’m extremely pleased that we can offer free admission through December 2020, making the Jewish Museum accessible to all. We cannot wait to welcome our visitors back.”  

The Jewish Museum will now be closed on Tuesdays, as well as the usual Wednesdays. New hours for the Museum are Monday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, 11am to 4pm; and Thursday, 11am to 8pm.  The Shop will be open Monday, Friday, and Sunday, 11am to 4pm; and Thursday, 11am to 8pm. The Shop will be closed Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays. 

In accordance with government regulations and health guidance, visitors must reserve timed tickets and observe additional policies as part of their visit: 

• Timed tickets are necessary to help the Jewish Museum maintain a building capacity of 25% and a socially distanced experience for all visitors. The Museum’s members must also reserve timed tickets. Members may reserve tickets starting September 16, and the public may reserve tickets starting September 23.    

• All visitors are required to wear face coverings while in the Jewish Museum. Face coverings must adequately cover the nose and mouth. 

• Temperature checks will be required of all visitors via non-contact body temperature scanners. Visitors with a body temperature above 100.4°F will not be admitted into the Museum. We will assist those visitors in rescheduling their visit. 

• Visitors will be expected to maintain six feet between other visitors or groups. Capacity signage will be posted throughout the Museum and one-way paths designated through the galleries. 

• The coat check will be closed for the safety of visitors and staff. Visitors should plan to wear (not carry) their coats in the Museum. In addition, large bags and oversized umbrellas will not be permitted.   

Russ & Daughters at the Jewish Museum will remain temporarily closed. For further information please visit russanddaughters.com.  

The Jewish Museum is also implementing enhanced health and safety measures for our visitors and staff. Frequent enhanced cleaning and disinfection procedures have been instituted throughout the Museum. These procedures are informed by the guidance issued to date by government and public health authorities, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the New York State and City Departments of Health. Central air filtration has been increased to the MERV-13 level and ionizing air purifiers have been installed in elevators. Hand sanitizer will be available throughout the Museum for visitors.  

Further information regarding visitor guidelines may be accessed at TheJewishMuseum.org/visit to ensure a safe and enjoyable visit for everyone. 

About the Exhibitions 

We Fight to Build a Free World: An Exhibition by Jonathan Horowitz 
Originally scheduled to open in March 2020, We Fight to Build a Free World is an exhibition curated by Jonathan Horowitz, a New York-based artist who for three decades has made work that engages critically with politics and culture. Under his direction, the exhibition looks at how artists have historically responded to the rise of authoritarianism and xenophobia as well as racism, anti-Semitism, and other forms of bigotry. The presentation also addresses issues surrounding immigration, assimilation, and cultural identity. The works selected draw connections between historical oppression and the cultural and political challenges we confront in the world today.  

Rachel Feinstein: Maiden, Mother, Crone 
The first survey of New York-based artist Rachel Feinstein features three decades of the artist’s work. As The New York Times observed, “Rachel Feinstein — artist, fashion muse, mother — confects fanciful works that have a core of steel. She is known for her extravagantly detailed fantasy sculptures, installations and paintings.” 

Scenes from the Collection 
The Jewish Museum’s rotating collection exhibition presents nearly 600 works from antiquities to contemporary art. Selected works are presented in thematic “scenes,” weaving together centuries of art and Judaica. The exhibition speaks of the vast range of Jewish experiences across the globe and over time, made tangible through artistic expression. Themes change periodically, offering new dialogues among the works and proposing new interpretations of them. 

Support of free admission is made possible in part by the Wilf Family Foundations. 

NOTE FOR PRESS: In order to maintain the mandated 25% capacity, media must contact the Press Office at pressoffice@thejm.org to arrange for a timed ticket in advance of their visit. Press photography or TV shoots must also be scheduled ahead of time, with ideally 48 hours' notice. All press materials are located on our online Press Room. Press kits will not be available for distribution at the Museum