The Library Company of Philadelphia
1314 Locust St. • Philadelphia, PA 19107
215-546-3181 • Fax: 215-546-5167 • librarycompany.org
Independent research library with an American Judaica collection.
Meyers Library and KI Archives
at Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel
8339 Old York Road • Elkins Park, PA 19027
215-887-8700 • etilman@kenesethisrael.org • kenesethisrael.org
Contains books and historical documents from 1847 to the present.
Philadelphia Jewish Archives Collection
Special Collections Research Center, Temple University Libraries
Charles Library • 1900 N. 13th St. • Philadelphia, PA 19122
215-204-8257 • Fax: 215-204-3681
scrc@temple.edu • library.temple.edu/scrc
Collections include records of Jewish cultural, educational, social service,
religious and fraternal organizations from the Greater Philadelphia area, as
well as personal papers of Jewish community leaders. Reading room is open to
the public.
The Robert and Molly Freedman Jewish Sound Archive
Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts
Van Pelt Library, University of Pennsylvania
3420 Walnut St., Philadelphia, PA 19104
yidsong@pobox.upenn.edu • sceti.library.upenn.edu/freedman/
An international, multilingual research library collection comprised of Judaic
sound recordings in various formats. The recordings have been catalogued in a
searchable online database displaying song titles, authors, composers, perform-
ers, first lines, etc. The satellite collections are publications in which original text,
translation, transliteration and melody line of the recorded songs and spoken
word material are available: a sheet music collection, newspaper and magazine
articles, concert programs, playbills, song pamphlets and assorted memorabilia.
The publications are linked to the University of Pennsylvania library.
Simchat Dovid Library
5871 Drexel Road • Philadelphia, PA 19131
1-800-626-1100 • Fax: 610-696-9249 • amiel@kokosher.org.
Stores and preserves volumes of antiquities received through donations from
other organizations and individuals. Maintains and displays artifacts and other
art. Open to the public by appointment only.
Talmudical Yeshiva Library
6063 Drexel Road • Philadelphia, PA 19131 • 215-477-1000
Library of Hebrew books on the Bible, the Talmud, Responsa, etc. Open for
in-library work to the public by appointment.
Tuttleman Jewish Public Library
Gratz College — Mandell Education Campus
7605 Old York Road • Melrose Park, PA 19027
215-635-7300, ext. 159 or 1-800-475-4635 • helpdesk@gratz.edu • gratz.edu
Specialized library of Judaic and Hebraic studies. Multilingual collection of
books, periodicals, music and audio-visual materials. Rare-book room, a music
library and a Holocaust oral-history archive. Open to the public.
Van Pelt Library
University of Pennsylvania • 3420 Walnut St.
Philadelphia, PA 19104 • 215-898-7555
library@pobox.upenn.ed • library.upenn.edu/vanpelt
Large collection of biblical studies, rabbinical studies, Jewish history and medi-
eval and modern Hebrew language and literature. Stacks and seminar rooms
are open to the public.
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MUSEUMS AND EXHIBITS
Fred Wolf Jr. Gallery
KleinLife • 10100 Jamison Ave. • Philadelphia, PA 19116 • 215-698-7300
A professional art gallery housing a variety of exhibits throughout the year,
including secular shows, as well as those of interest to the Jewish community.
The KleinLife Shoppe carries a unique line of Judaica and gifts.
Esther Raab Holocaust Museum and
Goodwin Education Center
Betty & Milton Katz Jewish Community Center
1301 Springdale Road, Suite 200 • Cherry Hill, NJ 08003
856-751-9500, ext.1249 • raabgoodwin@jfedsnj.org • jcrcsnj.org/goodwin
Full-time institution dedicated to Holocaust education with a reference library,
lending library and multimedia resources. Offers a collection of historical
photographs, artifacts and Nazi paraphernalia. Also offers a speaker’s bureau
supporting outreach to students and adult groups.
Holocaust Awareness Museum and Education Center
KleinLife • 10100 Jamison Ave., Room 210 •Philadelphia, PA
215-464-4701 • Fax: 215-464-4703 • info@hamec.org • hamec.org
Provides educational programs, including eyewitness Holocaust survivor testi-
mony and professional theater productions, to teach students the lessons of the
Holocaust. Primary target group is students in fifth through 12th grade.
National Liberty Museum — America’s Home for Heroes
321 Chestnut St. • Philadelphia, PA 19106 • 215-925-2800
liberty@libertymuseum.org • libertymuseum.org
Collection includes interactives, films, exhibits and contemporary art and
exhibits of the Dead Sea Scrolls and Chagall paintings of Abraham and Moses.
National Museum of American Jewish History
101 S. Independence Mall East • Philadelphia, PA 19106
215-923-3811 • Fax: 215-923-0763 • frontdesk@nmajh.org • nmajh.org
Dedicated to telling the still unfolding story of Jews in America, illustrating
how an immigrant population flourished under freedom while highlight-
ing the diverse backgrounds and experiences of Jews from their arrival in
America in 1654 to the present day.
Penn Museum
3260 South St. • Philadelphia, PA 19104
215-898-4000 • info@pennmuseum.org • penn.museum
Features “Canaan and Ancient Israel,” an exhibition that focuses on the
development of cultural identity in ancient Israel and neighboring lands
during the Bronze Age. In addition, the Penn Museum offers a collection
of objects from across the globe; along with public programs that cater to
various ages and interests: from CultureFEST! Cultural celebrations, public
lectures, and tours and conversations with Museum curators over coffee in
the café, to free strolls through history with the Museum Mile.
Philadelphia Jewish Sports Hall of Fame
Adolph and Rose Levis Museum
2100 Arch St. • Philadelphia, PA 19103
215-900-7999 • info@phillyjewishsports.org • phillyjewishsports.org
Celebrates the achievements of Philadelphia area Jewish sports heroes. A yearly
induction ceremony and dinner are held in the spring. Dedication opportuni-
ties are available in the museum. Group tours, which are lead by a docent, are
available by appointment.
Philadelphia Museum of Jewish Art
Congregation Rodeph Shalom • 615 N. Broad St. • Philadelphia, PA 19123
215-627-6747 • Fax: 215-267-1313 • rodephshalom.org
Dedicated to exhibiting contemporary art that illuminates the Jewish
experience. PMJA has organized solo and group exhibitions of work in the
broadest range of mediums by artists of diverse backgrounds. In addition to its
special-exhibit gallery, the museum features a permanent collection of import-
ant works by accomplished artists, including Chaim Gross, Tobi Kahn, Boaz
Vaadia, Siona Benjamin, and many additional renowned local and international
artists. Call to make an appointment.
The Rosenbach of the Free Library of Philadelphia
2008-2010 Delancey St. • Philadelphia, PA 19103
215-732-1600 • info@rosenbach.org • rosenbach.org
The collection includes the first Haggadah printed in America and letters of the
Gratz family of P hiladelphia. Open to the public, but access to specific objects
and books is by appointment only.
The Sam Azeez Museum of Woodbine Heritage
610 Washington Ave. • P.O. Box 517 • Woodbine, NJ 08270
609-626-3831 • Jane.Stark@stockton.edu • thesam.org
Celebrates more than a century of Jewish history in northwest Cape May
County in the restored Brotherhood Synagogue in the Baron de Hirsch
Agricultural Colonies in New Jersey. The museum documents the legacy
of Russian Jewish settlers in this area. Admission is free. Groups welcome.
Special tours by appointment.
Temple Judea Museum of Keneseth Israel
Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel
8339 Old York Road • Elkins Park, PA 19027
215-887-2027 or 215-887-8700 • Fax: 215-887-1070
tjmuseum@kenesethisrael.org • kenesethisrael.org/museum
Houses a collection of objects and presents three original exhibitions annu-
ally that feature Judaica, Jewish history, Israel and contemporary art. Artist
members are part of the TJMuseum Collaborative. Admission is free, and
groups are welcome by appointment. Tours are available of “The Prophetic
Quest,” Jacob Landau’s stained-glass installation.
MUSIC Israel Scout Friendship Caravan
caravan@israelscouts.org • israelscouts.org/friendship-caravan
Sponsors programs which develop and maintain a connection between the
Tzofim (Israel Scouts) movement in Israel and North American Jewry.
ChaiLights A Cappella
c/o Tribe 12, 1900 Market St., 8th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19103
267-652-0088 • thechailights@gmail.com • tribe12.org/2017/05/21/the-chailights
Post-collegiate Jewish a cappella group. Young adults who perform Jewish and
American music a cappella. It is a member of KEYhillah and Contemporary A
Cappella League.
Jewkebox jewkeboxtemple@gmail.com • @JewkeboxTU (Facebook, Instagram)
Student-run Jewish a cappella group in partnership with Hillel at Temple.
Frequently performs at synagogues and community centers in the Greater
Philadelphia area.
Nashirah, the Jewish Chorale of Greater Philadelphia
info@nashirah.org • nashirah.org
Community-based chorale in the Greater Philadelphia area performing
exclusively Jewish and Jewish-themed music.
Philadelphia Workmen’s Circle Chorus (Arbeter Ring)
215-572-0971 • phillywcc.conductor@gmail.com
Promotes and perpetuates Yiddish music, language and culture via perfor-
mances of at community events, synagogues, public libraries, senior centers
and other venues throughout the Delaware Valley. Bookings accepted all year
long. New singers always welcome.
Shabbatones LANDMARKS
Beth Sholom Synagogue
Beth Sholom Preservation Foundation
8231 Old York Road • Elkins Park, PA 19027
215-887-1342, ext. 157 • tours@bethsholomcongregation.org
bethsholompreservation.org Created to preserve the Beth Sholom Synagogue, a National Historic Landmark.
Only synagogue ever designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. The foundation’s mission
is to preserve the Wright-designed building, furniture and landscape setting to
tell the stories of this synagogue to a wide variety of audiences.
Congregation Rodeph Shalom
615 N. Broad St. • Philadelphia, PA 19123
215-627-6747 info@rodephshalom.org • rodephshalom.org
Oldest congregation in the U.S. descended from Western European Jews. The
synagogue is entered in the National Register of Historic Places.
Congregation Mikveh Israel
44 N. Fourth St. • Philadelphia, PA 19106
215-922-5446 • Fax: 215-922-1550 • info@mikvehisrael.org • mikvehisrael.org
Spanish-Portuguese synagogue founded in 1740. Located on Independence
Mall and known as the “Synagogue of the American Revolution,” it is the oldest
formal congregation in Philadelphia and the oldest continuously operating
synagogue in the United States.
Congregation Mikveh Israel Cemetery
Eighth and Spruce Sts. • Philadelphia, PA 19107 • 215-922-5446
A national shrine and part of Independence National Historical Park. One
of the oldest Jewish cemeteries in the United States, with graves dating from
1740. Interred here are Haym Solomon, Rebecca Gratz and 21 veterans of the
American Revolution. Mikveh Israel has two other cemeteries with historical
significance: 11th and Federal streets, which dates to the Civil War, and 55th
and Market streets.
Frank Synagogue
Einstein Medical Center Philadelphia
5501 Old York Road • Philadelphia, PA 19141 • 215-456-6055
Modeled after first- and second-century synagogues discovered in the Galilee
region of north central Israel, this small, historically certified synagogue was
originally dedicated in 1901 and reflects the Einstein Healthcare Network’s
cultural heritage.
Hebrew Mutual Burial Association Cemetery
1850 Cemetery Lane • Philadelphia, PA 19142
Founded in 1857 by a group of Dutch Jews, the site contains about 440 graves of
Dutch Ashkenazic and Sephardic Jews, including many Civil War and
Spanish American War veterans.
Monument to the Six Million Jewish Martyrs
Horwitz-Wasserman Holocaust Memorial Plaza
16th St. and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway
This memorial sculpture was the first public Holocaust monument in the
United States. The Philadelphia Holocaust Remembrance Foundation worked
on preserving the existing monument and redeveloping the site around it—The
Horwitz-Wasserman Holocaust Memorial Plaza—with historical artifacts and
educational elements. The expanded plaza was completed in October 2018.
215-898-7391 • contact@pennshabbatones.com • pennshabbatones.com
Student-run Jewish a cappella group at the University of Pennsylvania in
partnership with Hillel at UPenn. Frequently performs at synagogues and
community centers in the Greater Philadelphia area.
THE GUIDE 2020/2021
105