The U.S. Senate on Tuesday passed a bill establishing plans to transfer the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History in Philadelphia to the Smithsonian Institution. The unanimous vote came after the House passed a companion bill in September that paved the way for the process.
The bill passed by the Senate would create an eight-member committee appointed by members of the House and Senate to evaluate Weitzman’s feasibility of joining the Smithsonian Institution. Partially funded by the federal government.
Related articles
Over the past decade, Congress has authorized the Smithsonian to develop two new museums: the National Museum of American Latinos (approved in 2022) and the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum (approved in 2020). If transferred, the Weitzman Museum would become the Smithsonian’s only institution dedicated to Jewish American history.
“Fully integrating the Weizman Museum into the Smithsonian family will not only expand its access to artifacts and documents, but also provide a wealth of educational resources, expertise and staff training to assist in its ongoing mission to protect and promote American Jewry. Cultural Mission. The transfer received bipartisan support and a facilitated legislative process that is rare in the Smithsonian’s recent history.
The National Museum of African American History and Culture was completed in 2016, 13 years after its legislative establishment. Meanwhile, the National Museum of American Latinos has also faced successive obstacles from Republican opposition. In 2022, an op-ed written by three conservative critics called for funding to be halted in protest of the museum’s perceived Marxist agenda.
The Weitzman Museum was founded in 1976 as the National Museum of American Jewish History; it changed its name in 2021 to commemorate a large, undisclosed donation from shoe designer Stuart Weitzman. It is currently an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution.
“Educating all Americans from across the country about the amazing contributions of Jewish Americans to our country not only increases awareness but also helps eliminate harmful biases against our community,” Rep. Debbie Waugh, D-Fla. said Debbie Wasserman Schultz, one of the Florida Democrats. “welcome [the Weitzman] Joining the Smithsonian family will bring this vision closer to reality.
