The Jewish Museum

Beautiful bygone era 5th Avenue mansion, pristinely renovated and hosting comprehensive collections of Jewish themes and artists, as well as exceptional temporary midsize exhibitions. Free admission on Saturdays, unfortunately when the cafeteria is closed.

We were here for the Paul Klee exhibit. Entrance was very smooth, not crowded, able to view without distractions. It’s a beautiful building.

The Jewish Museum is located on the Upper East Side's Museum Mile. The building on East 92nd Street and Fifth Avenue is made of stone, carved and grand looking. Once again, I was able to get a free Culture Pass to see this museum. There were three floors to see. First, I went to the second floor to see Anish Kapoor's Early Works. While I found the art colorful, once again modern art is all Greek and Latin to me. I liked the more traditional paintings and silverware from the museum's collection on the third floor. Here I was able to see pretty paintings and even saw one of David Sassoon from Baghdad who settled in Bombay (Mumbai) in the mid-nineteenth century. Sassoon docks is named after him there. I saw the first floor art as well. Security guards check backpacks and as I had a bottle of water I had to check it in. Restrooms are on almost all floors. Every one who worked here was pleasant. A fine store is located here to buy mementos.

צפיתי ליותר המקום מואר בצורה שמעוותת את הצבעים של התפאורה תאורה חזקה המתאימה לצילום המקצועי של הצוות אך פוגם בצבעי התמונה המצולמת בטלפון. אנשי הצוות נחמדים מאוד.

It’s a very beautiful space, but only two floors of exhibits. I was really hoping to view old Jewish artifacts (in the collection, but not on display) however, they only had the two curated exhibits available to view. The gift shop had some really cool items. I would go back once the two upper floors are open.

Beautiful museum and wonderful exhibit of Anish Kapoor: Early Works. Don’t forget to check out the gift shop with lots of interesting unique things.

I visited the museum recently with my grandmother, as well as my sister and her boyfriend who were visiting the city. The Ben Shahn exhibit, though wonderful, was disappointingly the only one open. While I was standing in the gallery and viewing the art in silence, a shorter, bearded security guard came up to me, uncomfortably close, and asked me where I was from. I told him I’m a New Yorker but clearly that wasn’t the answer he wanted, and he asked again, now obviously asking about my ethnicity. I was of course extremely uncomfortable and taken aback but did not want to make a scene. After telling him enough of what he wanted to hear—as well as that I’m Jewish—he told me I looked German (why would that matter?). Trying to make this unwelcome interaction less of an interrogation I asked him where he was from. He wouldn’t tell me, but he smiled and asked me to guess. By this point I no longer felt like playing his bizarre, wildly unprofessional game. I demurred, and he thankfully left me alone soon after, but the transgression made it impossible for me to just focus on and enjoy the rest of the exhibition. This sort of behavior is completely unacceptable. Never have I encountered anything like this at a museum or gallery because these are things professionally trained guards simply do not do. I sincerely hope no other patrons have been violated in this way, though I sadly would not be surprised if this were the case. I have no plans to return to the Jewish Museum. Jews and New Yorkers deserve better than this from their cultural institutions. I encourage others to spend their time elsewhere. Racial profiling is wrong. Full stop.

Beautiful building and great staff. The seasonal exhibit on Paul Klee was extremely well-curated!