Welcome to The National Museum of American
Jewish Military History

The National Museum of American Jewish Military History, under the auspices of the Jewish War Veterans of the USA, documents and preserves the contributions of Jewish Americans to the peace and freedom of the United States, educates the public concerning the courage, heroism and sacrifices made by Jewish Americans who served in the armed forces, and works to combat anti-Semitism.

News & Special Announcements

A Tribute to Dad and Zadie — Sunday June 28, 2009 at 1811 R Street — Want to be part of the event?

Tell us your stories of Dad and Zadie in the service. Are you a photographer or a videographer? An artist? A storyteller? A stand-up comedian? We are looking for children and grandchildren of all ages who would like to give us a glimpse inside the world of their fathers and grandfathers.

The NMAJMH again was part of the Dupont Kalorama Museums Consortium (www.dkmuseums.com) Museum Walk Weekend. On June 7, 2009 the public was invited to listen to PDC Bernhard Storch (NY) who relayed his experiences as a camp liberator during the Holocaust and to Prof. Jeffrey Greenhut presented his American Jewish Military Experience lecture. Children went on a fact finding treasure hunt and had the opportunity to participate in a military fashion show festooned in deaccessioned uniforms and had their picture taken.

The National Museum of American Jewish Military History is a member of The DuPont-Kalorama Museums Consortium (DKMC). It promotes the “off the mall” museums and their neighborhoods in the greater DuPont-Kalorama area of Washington, DC. Check out the DKMC website for museum locations. All are in walking distance from one to another! What a great way to spend an afternoon!

Highlighted Museum Tour Schedule

September 15, 2009:

Members of Maryland Free State JWV Post 167

September 16, 2009:

Vatikim-Prime-timers from Temple Rodef Shalom

Coming to Washington DC?   Check out one of our new business partners, DESTINATION DC, for hotel rooms, great eateries, interesting places to shop, unusual things to see and do.

Meet the new President of the National Museum of American Jewish Military History

A Welcome Letter

All News & Announcements »

Museum Outreach

Museum Director Col. Herb Rosenbleeth and Assistant Collections Manager, Mike Rugel visit Talmudical Academy of Baltimore. During the visit, Mike Rugel (pictured) presented interesting and unusual artifacts from the archives and Colonel Rosenbleeth discussed Veterans' Day and JWV. This year there were two classes present and staff from the Jewish Week were there to cover the event.

If your class would like a visit and your school is located in the Washington DC/Metro area, contact Mary Westley at (202) 265-6280 for more information. If your class is scheduling field trips, please add us to your list of interesting places to visit. We have a great scavenger hunt game!

Pictured here with panels from a NMAJMH traveling display is Arthur Wolf. Mr. Wolf and several other members of Greenspring Village Retirement Community (Northern Virginia) recently visited the museum. The members enjoyed it so much they wanted those who couldn't make the trip be able to experience what the NMAJMH has to offer, so Mr. Wolf arranged for a tour of the center and graciously asked Richard to lunch in their lovely dining room. We thank Mr. Wolf and the staff of Greenspring Village for their hospitality and look forward to a second visit to the museum and perhaps another offer to speak at the center.

Martin Kaufman of JWV Post 273 (FL) requested a Hall of Heroes traveling exhibit for display at Beth Shalom Congregation for November in honor of Veterans Month. Learn more about the Beth Shalom exhibit:

Jacksonville Jewish News

The Beth Shalom Shofar

On Veterans Day 2008, JWV Department of the Southwest Commander Joe Kraut spearheaded a meeting co-sponsored by the Birmingham Jewish Federation in an effort to get Post 608 active again. This post originally met at the Levite Jewish Community Center in Birmingham, Alabama but has not been active in about 10 years. NMAJMH President PNC David L. Magidson spoke about revitalizing the spirit, dedication, and service of the post and its importance to JWV, its Museum, and the world. Pictured from left to right are PNC Magidson, Commander Kraut, Colonel Bob Picard, and herb Rosenbaum, JWV Veteran of the Year, at the Veterans Day Peace Luncheon held in Birmingham.

Shaw JCC exhibit remembers liberation of concentration camps
WEST AKRON — More than 60 people attended the opening of the exhibit GIs Remember: Liberating the Concentration Camps Sept. 3 at the Shaw Jewish Community Center (JCC).

To view other museum outreach events, click here.

The Future of the NMAJMH

The National Museum of American Jewish Military History proudly announces plans for a new permanent core exhibit. The NMAJMH has been working with Quatrefoil Associates to put together a master plan for an exhibition that will cover the entire span of Jewish service in the American military. This new exhibit will be the core of the NMAJMH and is our most ambitious undertaking yet.

Dear Museum Member,

2008 was a very busy year for the Museum which has led to an even busier 2009. Let me tell you about a few events…

The Museum opened its newest exhibit, Jewish War Veterans’ Protest March Against Nazi Germany - 75th Anniversary on March 7, 2008. It continues to draw crowds, many of whom know first hand the events of the day when on March 23, 1933, the Jewish War Veterans led a protest march along with thousands of others in support of our brethren in Europe.

In May 2008, The NMAJMH celebrated Jewish American Heritage Month by hosting an evening reception for members of Congress. The reception was coordinated through the office of Representative Debbie Wasserman-Schultz (D-FL). The NMAJMH joined Washington’s visitor service bureau (Destination DC) which brings in first time visitors from around the nation. The Museum was host for an Elderhostel program. Additionally, the Museum was able to welcome tourists and tour groups throughout the year and into 2009 which paved the way for two very special groups who visited in January 2009.

On January 26, 2009, a group of 9 teachers, trainers, and interpreters from Poland, sponsored by The U.S. State Department, visited the museum. Their mission was straightforward – educating others about the Holocaust: A PROJECT FOR POLAND. Jewish War Veteran and Museum member and concentration camp liberator, Bernhard Storch, and his wife, Ruth, captivated our Polish visitors with personal stories of the Storch’s lives during that tumultuous time.

On January 30, 2009, the Israeli Embassy Military Attaché held a briefing/reception at our museum. There were over thirty Embassy personnel in attendance. The program-luncheon was headed by MG Benjamin Gantz and was followed by a docent led tour of the Museum’s exhibits.

In March and June 2009, Elderhostel will return to the museum for another lecture/tour series.

We welcome people who simply enter our museum due to the large blue street signs put out by the Washington, DC Mayor’s office which point out embassies, galleries, local educational organizations, and historical properties.

Furthermore, we continue to promote our web program, American Jewish Military Heritage which is a great educational tool for your child or grandchild. Click on the menu item American Jewish Military Heritage on top of this page. This program is filled with websites, books, and videos that may help with his/her studies. You may further review other information on military history and cultural resources of interest by clicking on the menu item Collections and Research, also from our website main menu on top of this page.

During these days of economic struggle, we need to focus on those projects and programs that matter the most. We must continue to ensure the future of our legacy, our purpose, and our mission of documenting and preserving the contributions of Jewish Americans to the peace and freedom of the United States, of educating the public concerning that courage, heroism and sacrifice, and continuing to work to combat anti-Semitism. We welcome your help, commitment, generosity, and membership. Please, won’t you renew today!

Sincerely,

David L. Magidson
President

Click here for Membership Info

Recent Visitors to the
National Museum of American Jewish Military History

Students, chaperons and teachers of the Hillel Day School of Boca Raton visited the Museum May 13 bright and early at 9am. It was a wonderful way to start a day. We´d like to report that all those that participated in the treasure hunt seemed to enjoy the fun way to find facts about Jews in the American Military. They came up with interesting and time–saving ways of relaying answers to co team members – Texting! We look forward to another visit from the school next year! Thank you Faye of Flamingo Education Tours and Hadassah Smolarcik of Hillel Day School for your help and guidance and to the Agami Family for referring this museum to the school. The Agami family lost their beloved son, Daniel, during his military service in Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2007. To learn more about Daniel Agami and other soldiers we are highlighting during Jewish Heritage Month...

Greenfield Hebrew Academy visited the museum on Monday, March 25. The 45 students were entertained with our Museum Treasure Hunt where they were given questions and they were to find the answers that are located in the text of the exhibits. There were 4 teams that participated and team #4 (picture #1) answered all the questions but 2 correctly. Each winning team member was given a September 11, 2001 memorial watch set. Picture #2 is the whole group. Thank you for visiting, please come again.

Students and professor from William & Mary College´s Washington DC campus visited the NMAJMH on March 6, 2009 as part of their course study, The Politics of Memory: The Commemoration of the Second World War and the Holocaust in and around Washington, DC. Professor Bruce Campbell and seven students were greeted by members of the Museum´s leadership. Museum President PNC David L. Magidson and Past Museum Presidents Exhibits Chair Florence Levine and PNC Ed Goldwasser talked about the history of the Jewish War Veterans and Museum, touching on the 75th anniversary of the March 23, 1933 protest march against Nazi Germany, the fifty years of existence of the NMAJMH and the rededication of the Museum at 18th and R Street location on its 25th year. The program featured Holocaust survivor Anita Stern and concentration camp liberators Alan Moskin and Bernhard Storch, who all captivated the audience with their stories of endurance and freedom.
For more information on museum programs contact Mary Westley at (202) 265-6280 or mwestley@jwv.org.
Click here to view photos from this event.
Read biographies of Anita Stern, Alan Moskin, and Bernhard Storch.

On January 30, 2009, the Israeli Embassy Military Attaché held a briefing/reception at our museum. The program-luncheon was headed by MG Benjamin Gantz and was followed by a docent led tour of the museum's exhibits.

Lecture and Reception Hosted

On Sunday November 9, in remembrance of Kristallnacht, the NMAJMH hosted a lecture and book signing by Dr. Louis Maier, author of From the Golden Gate to the Black Forest and In Lieu of Flowers. Dr. Maier spoke about his escape from Germany and his experiences during World War II. Members of Harold E. Greenberg JWV Post 692 came to the Museum in the morning for a presentation of plans for the new permanent exhibit followed by a luncheon. They were joined by members of the Potomac Chapter of Hadassah and the public for Dr. Maier's lecture and reception. Visitors also enjoyed docent-led tours throughout the afternoon.

Members of Paul A. Rosenblum Post/Auxiliary 44 visited the Museum on May 30. After enjoying catered box lunches from Eli's kosher restaurant in our education center, they viewed the museum exhibits with docent Richard Rosenzweig.

Pictured in the first photo are members of the Post/Auxiliary listening tour guide Richard Rosenzweig.

In the second photo, Paul A. Rosenblum Post 44 Cleveland presents two checks to the Museum. Pictured are P.C. Roger Gove, Commander Stan Waters, Museum Director Col. Herb Rosenbleeth and P.C. Sid Wakser.

Teachers, parents and children of the Congregation Kneseth Israel of Annapolis, MD, visited the museum Sunday May 18. The group was led by Rabbi Moshe Weisblum, who, at the time of the opening of the exhibit, Rescue and Renewal in 1999, had been the rabbi for our guest curator, Mr. Mort Horvitz. The children participated in the museum treasure hunt led by docent Richard Rosenzweig and staff member Cheryl Waldman, Director of Programs for the JWV.

National Museum of American Jewish Military History Celebrates Jewish American Heritage Month with Congressional Visit

The National Museum of American Jewish Military History (NMAJMH) celebrated Jewish American Heritage Month by hosting an evening reception for members of Congress, including members of the House Armed Services and Veterans Affairs Committees, on Tuesday, May 13, 2008. The reception was coordinated through the office of Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), who introduced resolutions in 2006 urging the President to proclaim a month (May) that would recognize the 352 year history of Jewish contributions to American culture.

Museum President, Past National Commander Robert M. Zweiman, and Museum Director and National Executive Director of JWV, Col. Herb Rosenbleeth provided greetings and President Zweiman introduced the group to the Museum's exhibitions and goals. The presentation was followed by a tour of the museum exhibits by NMAJMH docent Richard Rosenzweig and a "behind the scenes" look at some of the museum's most interesting artifacts led by Collections Assistant Mike Rugel.

We look forward to another visit from those and other members of Congress and we are delighted to be apart of their outreach endeavors.