Sherwin Miller Museum of Jewish Art facts for kids
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Sherwin Miller Museum of Jewish Art
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| Established | 1965 |
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| Location | 2021 E 71st St Tulsa, OK 74136 |
| Type | Art museum |
The Sherwin Miller Museum of Jewish Art (SMMJA) is a special museum in Tulsa, Oklahoma. It started in 1966 as the Gershon & Rebecca Fenster Museum of Jewish Art. For many years, it was located inside a synagogue called Congregation B'nai Emunah.
Sherwin Miller was the museum's first curator, which means he helped take care of the art and exhibits. In 2000, the museum was renamed after him. It moved to its current home on the Zarrow Campus in November 2004. This museum has the largest collection of Jewish art in the Southwestern United States. In 2013, it received a special approval from the American Alliance of Museums.
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What You Can See There
The museum is part of the Fenster/Sanditen Cultural Center. It also includes the National Council of Jewish Women Holocaust Education Center. This center opened in April 1995. It was dedicated by members of the Oklahoma 45th Infantry Division. These soldiers helped free people from Nazi concentration camps.
Jewish History and Culture
This museum is the only American Jewish museum in its region. It keeps a very large collection of Judaica. Judaica refers to items related to Jewish life, history, and culture. The museum is also the main place for the Jewish Historical Society of Oklahoma. It holds many important Oklahoma Jewish records.
The Herman & Kate Kaiser Holocaust Collection
A special part of the museum is the Herman & Kate Kaiser Holocaust Collection. This collection tells the stories of people who survived the Holocaust and later came to live in Oklahoma. It also honors Oklahomans who helped free people from Nazi concentration camps. The museum's main collection has over 16,000 items. These include old archaeological finds and items used in Jewish rituals. You can also see traditional clothing, synagogue textiles, historical papers, and beautiful fine art.
About the Building
The museum building has a large space for exhibits, about 13,700 square feet. It even has a model synagogue inside. Children from the Mizel Jewish Community Day School use this synagogue for services twice a week. This school is also located on the Zarrow Campus.
Two Levels of Exhibits
The museum building has two floors:
- The lower level has a permanent Holocaust exhibit. It shows documents, photos, and other items. These are from Oklahoma veterans who helped free people from German concentration camps. It also shares stories of Jewish refugees and survivors.
- The upper level shows art and items about Jewish history. These range from ancient times in the Middle East to Jewish communities in Oklahoma.
The Holocaust Center
The museum opened its new Holocaust Center in November 2020. This center took three years to plan and build. Mikel Yantz, a museum representative, explained its purpose. He said it teaches about the Holocaust. It explains why and when it happened, who was affected, and how it still impacts us today.
The center also has displays about other important historical events. These include the Muscogee Creek "Trail of Tears" and the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. Yantz also mentioned that it is the only museum of its kind in Oklahoma.
See also
