Museum of Jewish Heritage

Profile

Lower Manhattan has survived many historic and contemporary tragedies, which makes it a fitting home for this solemn, yet ultimately uplifting, museum of Jewish heritage and remembrance. Focusing on personal stories of tragedy and triumph, the permanent collection is housed in a six-sided building, reminiscent of the Star of David and in memory of the six million Jews who died in the Holocaust. Artifacts are often displayed next to photographs of the people they once belonged to, and the faces of these individual Jews reappear throughout the three floors of the exhibit. The first floor uses creative displays and films to illustrate Jewish life before 1930, and the second floor continues the story with a sensitive presentation of the Holocaust itself. A timeline shows visitors the historical context, while side galleries examine particular themes, such as Nazi youth. The final floor focuses on the renewal of Jewish life around the world. An addition completed in 2003 houses educational facilities and temporary exhibits; the old and new wings of the museum are linked by a sun-filled room that looks out on Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. — Lauren Aaronson

Andy Goldsworthy, known for his outdoor sculptures, created this somber, meditative work by planting saplings in 18 boulders. The garden, Goldsworthy's only permanent installation in New York, was part of the 2003 expansion of the museum and is free to the public.

Pillars of Photographs
About halfway through the second floor, several walls are covered with charred gray wood and pillars are decorated with the photographs of victims and survivors of the Holocaust. Although similarly touching collages exist, what sets these displays apart are the books that appear underneath the photographs. Each pictured individual is accompanied by a personal story, emphasizing the Holocaust's affect on millions of real, ordinary people.

Children's Guide
Though Holocaust displays aren't necessarily appropriate for kids, there's still plenty for them to see in the museum. The brochure ''You are a Museum Detective. The Case: Looking for Heritage in All the Right Places,'' available at the ticket desk, guides you and your family through the first floor exhibit about Jewish life and traditions.

Audio Guide
The high-quality audio guide, narrated by Meryl Streep and Itzhak Perlman, can help navigating through the sometimes overwhelming amount of information contained in the museum. Versions are available in Spanish, Russian and Japanese. $5.

Group Tours
Contact the Education Department for reservation and cost information, 646-437-4305 for adult groups, 646-437-4304 for school groups.

Performance Space
Safra Hall, a 375-seat theater in the new Morgenthau wing, hosts wide array of events, such as documentary films, deli tastings, storytelling events, Yiddish plays, and pop music. Usually a few events take place each week. Some, like a documentary film, are free, while others, like live concerts, cost up to $35.

Glatt Kosher Cafe
The Heritage Cafe at the Museum offers Kosher food (meat and parve) and is open to the public.