While the Capital Jewish Museum has been open for only a couple of years, its roots stretch back more than a century.
In the late 19th century, the first building purposely designed to be a synagogue in Washington was established and named Adas Israel. Now, that synagogue is part of the Lillian and Albert Small Capital Jewish Museum.
“The story of the building itself is really quite remarkable,” said Dr. Beatrice Gurwitz, the museum’s executive director. “It was in the pathway of destruction multiple times with redevelopment in the area, and the Jewish Historical Society of Greater Washington rallied to preserve it each time.”
The museum has two permanent exhibitions about the building of the Jewish community in Washington, including Jewish individuals who made impacts on the politics and building of the region.
“We are able to showcase the diversity of the Jewish experience, regionally, religiously, culturally, politically, etc.” Gurwitz said.
The museum also hosts special, temporary exhibitions which, according to Gurwitz, “allow us to tell different stories on a regular basis.”
Past special exhibitions, extended due to popular demand, include “Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg” and “’I’ll Have What She’s Having’: The Jewish Deli.”
Current special exhibitions include “LGBTJews in the Federal City,” which explores how LGBT Jews have reshaped the local communities in Washington, and more.
“Next year, we are looking forward to a special exhibition opening in March called ‘Blacklisted: An American Story’ that will explore the Hollywood blacklist [of the 1950s],” Gurwitz added. “Also, what the Red Scare looked like in the D.C. area and how it affected federal employees.”
Next year will also include special exhibitions related to the 250th anniversary of the United States and the 150th anniversary of the original Adas Israel building, according to Gurwitz.
