Guide to Jewish Life > Keeping Kosher

Guide to Jewish Life > The Arts


  • ART GALLERIES

  • Ann Loeb Bronfman Gallery at the Washington DCJCC
  • 1529 16th St., N.W.
  • Washington, DC 20036
  • 202-518-9400
  • fax 202-518-9420
  • www.washingtondcjcc.org
  • Dir.: Wendy Fergusson
  • wendyf@washingtondcjcc.org
  • Offers exhibitions and public programs that enhance Jewish identity, examine issues of social importance and develop community. A variety of multi-disciplinary approaches include gallery tours, panel discussions with artists and scholars, lectures, workshops, film screenings, play readings and hands-on children activities.

  • Gallery L'Chaim
  • 1647 Unit L Lofstrand Ln.
  • Rockville, MD 20850
  • Works of art, Judaica, plates, glasses and gift boxes. Personalization of gifts is also available. Rockville's largest ketubah collection. Custom framing of ketubot, and wedding portraits and announcements.

  • Goldman Fine Arts Gallery JCC of Greater Washington
  • 6125 Montrose Rd.
  • Rockville, MD 20852
  • 301-348-3770
  • fax 301-881-5512
  • www.jccgw.org
  • Gallery Dir.: Phyllis Altman
  • Features works from all over the world: glass, paintings, prints, sculptures, drawings and jewelry. Free.

  • JCC of Northern Virginia Fine Arts Gallery
  • 8900 Little River Tnpk.
  • Fairfax, VA 22031
  • 703-537-3063
  • fax 703-323-1993
  • www.jccnv.org
  • Fine Arts Coordinator: Irene Gavin
  • Exhibitions, demonstrations, sales
  • and discussions with new artists
  • every 6 to 8 weeks.

  • ART CENTER

  • Metropolitan Center for Visual Arts*
  • 155 Gibb St.
  • Rockville, MD 20850
  • 301-869-8623
  • www.VisArtsCenter.org
  • Gallery, studios, education program and event spaces.
  • *Paid advertiser

  • ARTISTS

  • ArtSites
  • 7531 Coddle Harbor Ln.
  • Potomac, MD 20854
  • 301-299-5526 (fax capable)
  • www.artsitesjudaicguild.com
  • Coordinator: Shirley Waxman
  • A membership guild devoted to the instruction, development and advancement of the Judaic arts. Membership is open to any artist or supporter of the Judaic arts. Through bi-monthly membership meetings and quarterly
  • newsletter, its focus is on education, information sharing and generating community awareness of Judaic art.

  • FILM

  • JCC of Northern Virginia
  • 8900 Little River Tnpk.
  • Fairfax, VA 22031
  • 703-537-3026
  • fax 703-323-1993
  • www.jccnv.org
  • Contact: Roz Engels
  • Holds film series dealing with Jewish themes.

  • Washington Jewish Film Festival: An Exhibition of International Cinema
  • 1529 16th St., N.W.
  • Washington, DC 20036
  • 202-777-3248
  • fax 202-518-9420
  • info@wjff.org
  • www.wjff.org
  • Annual, 10-day international Jewish film festival that begins the first week of December; includes panel discussions with scholars and filmmakers, special events and bargain matinees; volunteer opportunities. Also, year-round "Screen- ing Room" series.

  • GENEALOGY/HISTORICAL SOCIETY

  • Jewish Genealogy Society of Greater Washington
  • P.O. Box 31122
  • Bethesda, MD 20824-1122
  • Pres.: Marlene Bishow
  • 301-330-3882
  • www.jewishgen.org/jgsgw
  • Promotes genealogy research. Meetings monthly, September-June. Library for members only. Quarterly journal.

  • Jewish Historical Society of Greater Washington
  • Business office:
  • 202-789-0900
  • fax 202-789-0485
  • www.jhsgw.org
  • info@jhsgw.org
  • Dir: Laura Cohen Apelbaum
  • Preserves, chronicles and presents the story of the local Jewish community through the archival collections, exhibits, educational programs and publications. Maintains the Lillian and Albert Small Jewish Museum housed in the oldest synagogue building in Washington.

  • ISRAELI CULTURE/DANCING

  • Congregation Har Shalom
  • 11510 Falls Rd.
  • Potomac, MD 20854
  • Instructor: Ben Hole
  • 301-299-7087
  • Wednesdays at 8 p.m.

  • JCC of Northern Virginia
  • 8900 Little River Tnpk.
  • Fairfax, VA 22031
  • 703-323-0880
  • fax 703-323-1993

  • Teev Productions
  • 301-230-2232
  • fax 301-230-2237
  • info@teev.com
  • www.teev.com
  • Prod. Manager: David Azulay
  • Brings Israeli culture to the Washington area. Also represents high quality Israeli and international performers and offers professional sound services.

  • Tikvat Israel Synagogue
  • 2200 Baltimore Rd.
  • Rockville, MD 20851
  • 301-762-7338
  • Instructor: Moshe Shem-Tov
  • 301-871-5663
  • Thursdays at 8 p.m.

  • MUSEUMS

  • B'nai B'rith Klutznick National Jewish Museum Collection and Gallery
  • 2020 K St., N.W., 7th floor
  • Washington, DC 20006
  • 202-857-6583/6513
  • fax 202-857-2700
  • www.bnaibrith.org
  • museum@bnaibrith.org
  • The museum presents the entire sweep of Jewish culture and history. Exhibitions highlight art, history and ethnography, exploring Jewish culture within the context of other cultures. National Jewish American Sports Hall of Fame. Museum is currently closed for renovations.

  • The Dennis & Phillip Ratner Museum
  • 10001 Old Georgetown Rd.
  • Bethesda, MD 20814
  • 301-897-1518
  • www.ratnermuseum.com
  • www.israelbiblemuseum.com
  • Dir.: Stella Bernstein
  • info@ratnermuseum.com
  • Open to the public Sundays, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Mondays through Thursdays, noon to 4 p.m., without reservations. The museum features a visual walk through the Hebrew Bible in paintings and sculpture. Other exhibits include The Gallery of Children's Literature in Art and changing exhibits of emerging and established artists and children. Groups free by reservation (Sun.-Thurs. hands-on projects for teachers and classes.) Site available for private special occasions including baby namings, britot, bar and bat mitzvah celebrations, confirmations, engagements, weddings and anniversaries.

  • Lillian and Albert Small Jewish Museum
  • 701 3rd St., N.W.
  • Washington, DC 20001
  • 202-789-0900
  • fax 202-789-0485
  • Dir.: Laura Cohen Apelbaum
  • Maintained by the Jewish Historical Society of Greater Washington in the historic Adas Israel building built in 1876. The society presents exhibitions on aspects of the social, cultural and religious history of the Jewish community in Greater Washington. Museum open Sunday-Thursday by appointment.

  • Jewish Museum of Maryland
  • 15 Lloyd St.
  • Baltimore, MD 21202
  • 410-723-6400
  • www.jewishmuseummd.org
  • Outstanding collections and ground-breaking exhibits. Tour our two historic synagogues, one with its mikvaot (ritual baths), matzah oven and beit midrash (study hall). Uncover the roots of our community in the heart of this historic Jewish neighborhood.

  • National Museum of American Jewish Military History
  • 1811 R St., N.W.
  • Washington, DC 20009
  • 202-265-6280
  • fax 202-462-3192
  • www.nmajmh.org
  • Museum Dir.:
  • Col. Herb Rosenbleeth USA (Ret)
  • Dedicated to preserving the history of the contribution of Jewish Americans to the peace and security of the U.S.
  • Permanent exhibits include: The Hall of Heroes: American Jewish Recipients of the Medal of Honor. Admission is free. Donations are accepted. Handicapped accessible. Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, by appointment only. (Metro: Dupont Circle, Q St. exit)

  • U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum
  • 100 Raoul Wallenberg Pl., S.W.
  • Washington, DC 20024-2150
  • 202-488-0400
  • www.ushmm.org
  • Hours: 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. every day. Extended hours, Tues. and Thurs., April through mid-June: 10 a.m. to 7:50 p.m.
  • Closed Dec. 25 and Yom Kippur.
  • America's national institution for the documentation, exhibition, study and interpretation of Holocaust history. The museum serves as this country's memorial to the millions murdered during the Holocaust; located at 14th Street and Independence Avenue. For more information, see listing in Holocaust section.

  • PERFORMING ARTS

  • JCC of Greater Washington
  • 6125 Montrose Rd.
  • Rockville, MD 20852
  • 301-881-0100
  • fax 301-881-5512
  • www.jccgw.org
  • Performing arts series, JCC Symphony, programs throughout year, Center Dance Ensemble, School of Visual and Performing Arts, Jewish Book Festival, Artists of Excellence, Young Concert Artists, jazz concerts.

  • JCC of Northern Virginia
  • 8900 Little River Tnpk.
  • Fairfax, VA 22031
  • 703-323-0880 ext. 11
  • fax 703-323-1993
  • www.jccnv.org
  • Dir., Adult Services and Special Events: Roz Engels
  • Classes for all ages, lectures, holidays productions, musical productions, concerts.

  • Washington DCJCC Morris Cafritz Center for the Arts
  • 1529 16th St., N.W.
  • Washington, DC 20036
  • 202-777-3249
  • fax 202-518-9420
  • www.washingtondcjcc.org
  • Dir.: Joshua Ford
  • Showcases arts and culture through the efforts of the Ann Loeb Bronfman Gallery; Theater J; Washington Jewish Film Festival; Screening Room; and literature, music and dance.

  • Zemer Chai, the Jewish Community Chorus of Washington
  • P.O. Box 83513
  • Gaithersburg, MD 20883
  • 301-963-3462
  • www.ZemerChai.org
  • info@ZemerChai.org
  • Founding Dir.: Eleanor Epstein
  • One of the nation's premier Jewish community choruses, founded in 1976. Performing the full range of Jewish choral repertoire, including liturgical and classical pieces, Jewish folk music from around the world and new works commissioned for the choir. See Web site for schedule. Contact by e-mail for bookings or auditions.

  • THEATER

  • Theater J - Washington DCJCC Goldman Theater
  • 1529 16th St., N.W.
  • Washington, DC 20036
  • 202-777-3233
  • fax 202-518-9420
  • 800-494-TIXS
  • www.theaterj.org
  • Artistic Dir.: Ari Roth
  • Aaron and Cecile Goldman Theater, producing plays by Jewish playwrights and productions reflecting Jewish cultural and social themes. Special Sunday panel discussions and readings.