Mission:
To preserve, study, and interpret Jewish cultural history through authentic art and artifacts, linking both Jews and non-Jews to a rich body of values and traditions.

Background:
The Jewish Museum, the first museum dedicated to Jewish art and culture in the United States, was founded in 1904 with twenty-six pieces of donated art. Today it boasts a permanent collection of more than 26,000 objects and regularly presents large exhibitions that interpret art and artifacts through the lens of social history. Originally housed in the library of the Jewish Theological Seminary of America, the museum relocated in 1947 to a mansion on New York City's Upper East Side that was donated by Frieda Schiff Warburg. Through its exhibits and other programs, the museum works to illuminate the Jewish experience, both secular and religious, and demonstrate the strength of Jewish identity and culture.

Outstanding Web Features:
The Jewish Museum Web site offers a searchable database containing images and information on the items in its permanent collection; a selection of e-cards; a number of online exhibitions, including Pollock, de Kooning, and American Art, 1940-1976; and an educational section containing podcasts and resources for educators. The site also offers a section for children that includes a virtual Jewish Holiday Activity Book and other interactive features.