Jewish Museum of Maryland facts for kids
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Lloyd Street Synagogue (left), the museum (center) and B'nai Israel Synagogue (far right)
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| Established | 1960 |
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| Location | Baltimore, Maryland, United States |
| Public transit access | Shot Tower |
The Jewish Museum of Maryland is a special place in Baltimore, Maryland, United States. It tells the amazing story of Jewish people in Baltimore and all across Maryland. It's a great spot to learn about their history and culture!
About the Museum
The museum is one of the best places in the country to learn about Jewish history and culture. It has two main rooms, called galleries, where they show different exhibits. These exhibits change often and cover interesting topics from both Maryland and the whole country.
The museum's collections include many cool things. You can see works of art, old photographs, clothing, and special Jewish ceremonial art. They also have rare books, everyday objects, important documents, and recorded stories from people. The museum first opened its doors in 1960.
Historic Synagogues
This museum is unique because it has two very old synagogues right on its grounds. A synagogue is a Jewish house of worship. These buildings have been carefully saved and are open for everyone to visit and learn from.
The first synagogue is the Lloyd Street Synagogue. It was built in 1845 and designed by Robert Cary Long Jr. in a style called Greek Revival architecture. This means it looks a bit like ancient Greek temples.
The second synagogue is the B'nai Israel Synagogue. It was finished in 1876 and designed by Henry Berge. Its style is called Moorish Revival, which means it has designs inspired by buildings from North Africa and the Middle East.
Both synagogues are in an old Jewish neighborhood. They help tell the stories of two big groups of Jewish immigrants who came to Baltimore. Baltimore was the second largest port for immigrants coming to the United States. Inside these restored synagogues, you can explore a special oven used for baking matzoh (a type of flatbread). You can also see mikvehs (ritual baths), a beautiful hand-carved Torah Ark (where the Torah scrolls are kept), and women's balconies. There's even an active archaeology dig happening!
The B'nai Israel Synagogue is still used today by about 200 families. They have services every Shabbat (the Jewish day of rest) and on Jewish Holy Days.
Where to Find the Museum
The Jewish Museum of Maryland is located at 15 Lloyd Street in Baltimore. It's just a 10-minute walk from the famous National Aquarium in the Inner Harbor.
Please note that the museum is closed for renovations from June 12, 2023, until June 30, 2024. Also, the museum closes for important Jewish festivals and holy days. These include Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Shemini Atzeret, Simchat Torah, the first two and last two days of Passover, and Shavuot.
