2024-Weitzman-Education-Impact-Report

ISSUE NO. 1

SEPTEMBER 2024

Breaking Down Barriers The Weitzman: Bridging Communities Through Education

Education Impact Report Transformative Learning Experiences EITC Dollars at Work

By The Numbers 2023-2024 Education Beauty in Our Differences Dual Heritage Day New 6th-12th National Initiative Stories that Shaped a Nation

Opening celebration for Central High School students and families at The Weitzman.

See EITC Dollars at Work, page 1.

Strengthening Our Democracy

by REBECCA KRASNER, M.S. ED. DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION

In today’s polarized society, museums remain among the public’s most trusted institutions, underscoring the Weitzman’s vitally important mission to educate a broad public about the true stories of Jewish life in America.

The October 7th massacre, hostage crisis, and war have had a profound impact on students and teachers. I've spoken with Jewish teachers and parents of Jewish students across the country who feel unsupported by their schools in the face of antisemitism.

The Weitzman provides education to counter the misinformation and harmful stereotypes that permeate our culture. To develop the next generation of leaders,

Donor Spotlight Jason & Holly Barg

our school programs engage young people in conversations about difference and diversity, inspire curiosity about ourselves and others, and introduce learning opportunities that promote civil discourse. Our national professional development for public school teachers provides much-needed resources about Jewish identity, Jewish history, and the connection between American Jews and Israel.

TheWeitzman.org • 215.923.3811

In the following pages, you’ll learn more about our progress this past year and our plans to expand this critical work in the coming school year.

2023-2024

Transformative Learning Experiences EITC Dollars at Work

What happens when you bring together curious minds, powerful ideas, and the enduring lessons of history? This spring, The Weitzman found out, as it transformed into a "Museum in Residence" for Central High School's International Baccalaureate students, diving deep into the complexities of American democracy. Led by Rebecca Krasner, the Museum's Director of Education, students engaged in critical discussions on American ideals, democratic values, and community change.

The program culminated in an art installation titled Photographing Community: A Student Lens on Democracy, which showcased photographs and essays from 60 students. Their images and writings responded to the prompt: “Where do you see the intersection of citizenship, community, and care in your lives?” During the opening night’s presentations, one student, Jayden, highlighted the Museum's celebration of community, drawing parallels with her experiences in a nonJewish African American home.

This project, in partnership with the American Creed: Citizen Power initiative, allowed students to connect their learning with a national conversation. Thanks to the support of donors and EITC funds, The Weitzman expanded its educational Central High School’s diverse student body mirrors the stories shared in the Museum, enriching its galleries with their unique experiences.

outreach, empowering the next generation of leaders.

Photos: Rachel Utain Evans and The Weitzman

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2023-2024

BY THE NUMBERS The Weitzman brought our educational programs into classrooms nationwide and provided essential professional development for public school teachers.

$1,023,000 2023-2024

National Teachers

67%

33%

Pennsylvania Teachers

220

Support for education from EITC Tax Contributions, Federal Allocations, Foundation Grants, and Individual Donors enabled: Education for PA public schools at no cost to schools or students Two new positions: an educator and a curriculum writer Piloting new educational initiatives

Professional Development

882

Classrooms

Received the “traveling suitcase” as part of our signature Becoming American program, bringing stories of American Jewish immigration to classrooms in New York New Jersey Michigan

Teachers Trained

3,340

Students reached with in-person programs Becoming American Courageous Choices Unique Promise, Imperfect Freedom Citizen Power Unpacked Stories that Shaped a Nation: Jewish Lives in America 02

2023-2024

Beauty in Our Differences

A dynamic Dual Heritage Family Day at the Museum cosponsored by the Pennsylvania Asian Pacific American Jewish Alliance, the American Jewish Committee Philadelphia/ Southern Jersey region, and The Weitzman.

histories and shared futures. Bringing together the Jewish and Asian Pacific American communities allows us not only to honor our distinct heritages but to forge a shared path forward based on mutual respect and understanding. In today’s world, where diversity is often met with division, events like ours are vital reminders that our strength truly lies in our unity,” remarked event partner Stephanie Sun, Co-founder and Co-chair Photos by Shoot from Within

Education at The Weitzman extends beyond traditional classroom settings.

Our family programs offer joyful learning experiences to a diverse audience throughout the year. One powerful example was our free Dual Heritage Month Celebration on May 5, 2024 for Jewish American and Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Months, with participation from Chinese, Japanese, Indian, Mongolian, Korean, Tibetan, Cambodian, and Bangladeshi communities.

of the Pennsylvania Asian Pacific American Jewish Alliance (PAPAJA).

The day culminated in a multicultural hora dance, where children and adults from all backgrounds joined together. It was a powerful reminder of the world we aspire to create—a world that values bridgebuilding, allyship, the beauty of our differences, and joy.

Marcia Bronstein, Regional Director of the AJC Philadelphia/Southern Jersey region, shared, “This event allowed us to come

“At its heart, this celebration is a profound

together in a show of solidarity, have a lot

acknowledgment of our intertwined

of fun, and discover what unifies us.”

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2024-2025

National Impact 6th through 12th: Stories that Shaped a Nation In the coming year, The Weitzman will launch Stories that Shaped a Nation, a groundbreaking national education initiative designed to disrupt rising antisemitism, bigotry, and hatred. As part of this initiative, we will develop and introduce a new, multi-unit curriculum for public schools that explores American Jewish history, contemporary Jewish culture, Jewish identity, and the connection between American Jews and Israel. This curriculum will also highlight the significant contributions of American Jews to American society.

We've spent the past six months creating and testing the program’s framework. The curriculum will be piloted in 10 classrooms to more than 200 students nationwide and accessible to teachers via our website. Selected teachers will participate in a national fellowship, receive specialized training, and contribute to the program’s evaluation. Additionally, the curriculum will be disseminated through partnerships with Jewish and secular organizations, ensuring broad reach and impact. Please see the evolving list of partners below.

This initiative has impressive backing from partners within and outside the Jewish community*: Anti-Defamation League Beth El Civil Rights Experience Citizen Film Council of American Jewish Museums Gratz College High School Law Review Institute for Curriculum Services Jewish Community Relations Council of Minnesota and the Dakotas National Writing Project USC Shoah Foundation *List as of August 2024

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continued

To scale our work, The Weitzman has a multi-pronged approach. Educational opportunities for Stories that Shaped a Nation include online professional development, direct-to-student presentations, and partnerships to bring our resources to entire school districts. The Museum has committed partnerships with The School District of Philadelphia and the Davis (California) Joint Unified School District for the coming school year and partnerships with additional school districts are in process.

“Never has a society tolerated overt antisemitism and remained a democratic society. Combating the interconnectedness of hatred requires building broad and strong coalitions of conscience across communities.”

Deborah Lipstadt, Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism

Education & Allyship Our experience shows that students are most engaged when American Jewish history is presented within the broader context of our nation’s founding ideals, helping them see how the history of one group is integral to the endurance of our democracy. Learning about Jewish history, interfaith and intercultural allyship, and the origins of contemporary antisemitism encourages students to stand against hate in all its forms, reinforcing democratic values. We also embrace 'makhloket l’shem shamayim'—disagreement for the sake of heaven—as a uniquely Jewish approach to fostering civil discourse.

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2024-2025 The Weitzman’s multi-pronged approach to confronting antisemitism through our new national educational initiative, Stories that Shaped a Nation: TRAVELING POSTER EXHIBITION ONLINE TEACHER PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT HISTORY OF ANTISEMITISM IN AMERICA MUSEUM TOURS

DIRECT-TO-STUDENT PRESENTATIONS WEITZMAN TEACHER FELLOWSHIP

PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT PARTNERSHIPS

FREE MULTI-LESSON CURRICULUM

“This [Museum experience] was an enlightening journey for many, and our teachers shared how grateful they were to be able to grapple with their own questions in a museum that carries such rich histories and stories.”

Staff Member, PHILADELPHIA WRITING PROJECT

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SPOTLIGHT Jason & Holly Barg What motivated you to support the Museum?

As third-generation Philadelphians, we’re proud that a national, flagship Jewish museum is located here in our community. Our grandparents grew up in Philadelphia during a time when Jews were restricted from certain schools, communities, and job opportunities. In response to that discrimination, they became part of a Jewish community that supported each other. We wanted to honor that legacy, which is why we dedicated a case in their memory.

What kind of impact are you hoping to have with your support?

Walking through the Museum helps you understand what it was like for Jewish immigrants in America. You see not just the challenges they faced but also the contributions they made to American society. We hope more people, especially students, have the chance to learn these stories. Today, stereotypes about Jewish people persist, but learning the truth can dispel those misconceptions. If even one person walks away with a more positive understanding of Jewish people, then our support has been worth it.

THANK YOU Our supporters are the driving force behind everything we do. Whether you contribute a major gift to help us develop educational materials and opportunities, make an EITC contribution to break down barriers to access, or give annually to sustain our exhibitions, your generosity is deeply appreciated by us and by the students, families, and teachers who benefit from your support.

LET’S WORK TOGETHER Introduce The Weitzman’s dynamic educational programs to your teachers, school administrators, and district leaders. Our initiatives are available nationwide to inspire and engage learners everywhere.

Help us, the Nation’s Jewish Museum, by advocating for our inclusion in the Smithsonian. Visit TheWeitzman.org/Smithsonian for details.

Contribute financial support through an individual gift, foundation grant, or EITC contribution.

To support our work, please contact our Major Gifts and Corporate Giving Officer Rachel Berger at 215-391-4632 or rberger@theweitzman.org.